How to get rid of washing machine smells
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our washing machine can get a bit on the smelly side. It’s hardly surprising when you consider all of the dirty clothes that end up in there – muddy football kits, damp rain coats, sweaty summer t-shirts and dresses with dinner spilt all down the front. A few little steps can help you freshen up your washing machine and keep your clothes coming out as fresh as a daisy.
First of all, you’ll need to decide where the smell is actually coming from. Nine times out of ten, the smell will be the washing machine itself, which is easy enough to deal with. If you suspect the smell is coming from the water that fills the washing machine, then you could have a bigger problem on your hands. A smell like rotting eggs (yummy) could mean you need to sort out your water system.
So, presuming the smell is in fact coming from your washing machine, what can you do to get rid of it? Don’t reach for the industrial cleaners – baking soda and vinegar could do the trick just fine. Mix up a solution of half a cupful of baking soda with two cupfuls of white vinegar. The amount of solution you need will depend on the size of your washing machine, but these measurements should be enough for the average washer.
Bung the baking soda mixture into the drum of the washing machine and start your machine on its hottest cycle. After the cycle has completely finished, open the washing machine door and wipe any residue or dirt from the surface. Next up, put the washer on a cold water cycle to rinse it all out. Once this has finished, you should notice that the stinky smell has vanished.
If this method doesn’t work, it’s probably time to call in the experts. If your washing machine is still under its manufacturer’s warranty, you might even be able to get its cleaned professionally without being charged. In fact, if your warranty is still valid, it could be a good idea to try this route first. This is because if anything you do to your washing machine damages it, it may invalidate your warranty.
As with most things, prevention is often more effective than cure. To stop your washing machine developing that mouldy smell, be sure to leave the door open after every time you use it. This means moisture won’t get trapped inside and therefore won’t cause that musty odour.
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