If you’ve noticed a musty, eggy or mouldy smell coming from your washing machine, you must take action. Dirty clothes, body oils, trapped dirt, detergent residue, and poor ventilation can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which can then result in unpleasant smells and mould lingering in your washing machine. These smells can then spread to your clothes, which means they will likely need re-washing.
Rather than resorting to buying a washing machine cleaner, fans of cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch shared a simple two-second task that will ensure washing machines smell fresh and clean. Pauline Birkbeck asked the Facebook group, ‘Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips’ for advice on her smelly washing machine. She asked: “What can I put in my washing machine to stop it smelling?”
Wilding Darrell said: “Nothing. Leave the door ajar overnight to air it.”
Lisa Potipher replied: “Once cleaned, leave [the] door open after a wash.”
Tracy Mick commented: “Once cleaned, leave [the] door and drawer open for a while to get the air through. [It] also slows the drawer down from going black.”
Jennifer Spiller agreed and wrote: “Fresh air. Leave[the] door and drawer open slightly after each wash. You need to run a hot soap wash [with] no clothes in it.”
Mandy Twibell said: “Clean it and then never close the door after washing. It needs to dry. Hard to do with some integrated washing machines.”
Washing machine doors should be left open after each use, as this allows air to circulate preventing mould growth.
Other suggestions from Mrs Hinch fans included using dishwasher tablets, Calgon tablets and soda crystals.
Julie Larkin said: “Soda Crystals. Put in an empty drum. Quick wash.”
Kerry Smith replied: “Had this a couple of months ago. I used Calgon tablets on two washes, and it’s gone.”
Sandra Hallt commented: “I put a dishwasher capsule on a 60C wash every month.”