Mould will pretty much take hold wherever it can but one favoured spot is the door seal of washing machines.
Apart from looking pretty grim and not being very clean, the mould can also produce a smell that will affect your laundry.
So what should we do if the black stuff has already taken hold? According to the experts at Smol, households can use white vinegar for the task.
While some may gravitate to a bolt of black to clean their appliance, the pros argue that “vinegar kills mould more effectively than bleach”.
They explained: “Bleach only kills mould spores on the surface of affected materials whereas vinegar can penetrate porous materials, killing mould at its root.”
Households may have seen warnings about using vinegar in washing machines. This could only damage the appliances if the acid is left neat on a surface for weeks on end.
However, using vinegar in a wash where it is diluted with water or making a solution and wiping it back off is not the same.
The pros assured that people have been doing this for decades without damaging their washing machines.
To remove mould from a washing machine door seal, mix equal parts warm water and clear vinegar, then using your cloth, apply to the seal.
Rub the solution into the mould and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing off with a damp cloth and clean warm water.
To remove mould from elsewhere in your washing machine, white vinegar can also be used.
If your machine manufacturer allows, pour two cups of white vinegar into the drawer and run an empty wash on your hottest cycle.
The experts said: “It’s an environmentally friendly and cheap way to keep your machine clean, killing bacteria and mould and preventing limescale.”
If your warranty does not allow for vinegar, then you will need to use a shop-bought machine cleaner.
