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Washing machines can easily become built up with dirt, grime and gunk due to their wet environment and the dirty clothes you’re putting in to wash.
Hair, body oils, food debris, soap scum, limescale, mould and mildew can make washing machines dirty and smell unpleasant.
If washing machines are not regularly cleaned, the nasty dirt and residue inside the machine can transfer to your clothes causing them to smell.
With this in mind, Express.co.uk has spoken to three experts about how to clean your washing machine to remove residue and prevent a build-up of dirt and grime.
Dawnn Hilton-Lito, who is a renowned figure in the world of domestic cleaning services and general manager at One Less Thing, suggested using white vinegar or citric acid to clean your washing machine.
She told Express.co.uk: “To clean a washing machine properly, you should run a hot water cycle with vinegar or citric acid, as this helps to remove any built-up residue. Once the cycle has finished, it’s time to wipe down the door gasket and detergent dispenser.
“Ideally, though, you should do this regularly to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime.”
Polya Petrova, a kitchen cleaning professional at Fantastic Services, also suggested homeowners should use white vinegar to clean their washing machines. She also recommended wiping down the rubber gasket each month.
She said: “To clean your washing machine, run it on an empty load with warm water and one cup of white vinegar.
“To prevent any build-up on your appliance, wipe down the rubber gasket and detergent dispenser frequently. Try to do that at least once a month.”
Catharina Björkman, a Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura agreed with Polya and Dawnn, suggesting that white vinegar should be used but alongside baking soda.
The cleaning expert said the acetic acid in the vinegar will naturally kill bacteria while breaking down grime.
She said: “A popular natural cleaning method for washing machines is to pour two cups of vinegar into the detergent drawer and then run on a hot cycle.
“The naturally occurring acidity in the vinegar will kill any bacteria and break down any grime inside the machine.
“Finish off by pouring half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum and then run a hot cycle. Just make sure to check the instructions on your machine’s user guide before trying this DIY cleaner.”
White vinegar can be bought from most local supermarkets or online for as little as 35p.
