Cleaning expert shares how to remove mould from washing machine with one ingredient

It might be a household chore that you tend to avoid, but cleaning your washing machine is important as the appliance can harbour a lot of dirt and grime – people are praising the hack as it’s so simple to do, with one calling it ‘awesome’

If you think life is too short to clean the washing machine, you might want to reconsider as your appliance could be harbouring dirt without you even knowing it.

We’ve all experienced that moment when you go to load laundry into your washer, open the door and met with an unpleasant whiff of something unnameable – this is a sure sign that it needs some attention.

Mould often grows in the crevasses of the machine, unseen to even the most dedicated of house keepers. But fear not, as mould can be removed with a little effort thanks to an ancient recipe.

The Boardhousewife is the Instagram account of Nicole Jacques, where she shares all manner of housecleaning hacks, including her methods for cleaning washing machines.

She’s revealed a washing machine hack that banishes mould with little effort – using natural ingredients.

The cleaning expert explained: “The icky smell comes from the build-up of detergent and moisture so mould and mildew grow.”

She also told her followers that dirt, grime, and even sunscreen can also become trapped in this rubber rim and cause your machine to smell.

Luckily, it is a problem that is easily fixed using a wonder liquid that’s been praised by a whole manner of cleaning obsessives, including Mrs Hinch: vinegar.

“Saturating an area in vinegar is a great way to prime spaces for easier cleaning, with 10 to 30 minutes of soaking. Let’s double down and add baking soda action to this,” Nicole said.

She continued: “Soak two towels in cold water with baking soda. Spray distilled vinegar on the rubber rim of the washing machine. Let both set for 30mins or an hour.

“Then wring out the towels and add them to the washing machine.

“Run a hot cycle with distilled vinegar instead of washing powder.

“Wipe out the rim and it’s as good as new,” the Instagrammer told viewers.

Nicole’s followers took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the cleaning tip.

“You’re like a mind reader,” remarked one fan, while another said “This was awesome! Gonna try this weekend”.

“I did this for my final clean of my apartment,” said one delighted commentator, “and I was so proud of myself. Now the new resident doesn’t have to inherit a smelly washer like I did.”

Nicole’s recipe has other uses too. “Yup, been doing this for years and it works a treat. Great for cleaning showers and sinks too,” someone wrote.

Another said: “Only you could make cleaning a washing machine look cute and fun”.

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