Dampness, high temperatures and poor ventilation make a washing machine the perfect breeding ground for mould. The main thing to remember when looking after your appliances is to make sure you air them out after every cycle. Just a heads-up that the drum door and detergent compartment should always be left open when the appliance’s not in use. To stop it from smelling musty, it’s also important to regularly clean the filter and wipe the drum and rubber seal to get rid of any moisture and lint left behind. If you’ve already got black mould, experts recommend using vinegar. Just wipe down the affected parts and the rubber seal with it, then pour two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into the drum and run an empty wash cycle at a high temperature.
It’s just as important to keep your washing machine clean as it is to keep your clothes clean. It’s important for everyone who owns one of these to know how to get rid of mould and odours, and whether to leave the door open. If you get into the habit of doing this, the appliance will last much longer. If you don’t look after the appliance, you’ll end up with mould on the walls and between the parts. When it’s damp and hot, and there’s not enough fresh air, it’s the perfect environment for microbes to thrive.
How to stop mould in your washing machine
Express has shared some tips on looking after your appliances. Journalists have been chatting with lots of people who’ve been using washing machines for years, so they’ve been able to get some great advice.
There’s one tip for all you owners out there: make sure you air out the appliance after every wash. Just leave the door open when you’re not using it. Also, take out the detergent compartments. If you do that, the parts will dry out properly before the next use.
Not enough airflow is usually the reason why you get mould in the washing machine drum. After a wash, the drum is always warm and damp. If you close the door, mould will spread instantly in these conditions.
There’s another reason why a washing machine can smell pretty gross. This is just water, detergent or fabric residue building up. To stop this, just make sure you clean the filter regularly and wipe down the drum and seal to get rid of any moisture.
What’s the best way to get rid of mould in a washing machine?
If you’ve got mould in your machine, you’ll probably spot it by the smell – it’ll be really musty – and you’ll see black deposits on the parts. Most dirt tends to build up on the door and between the seals.
Experts have revealed the best way to kill mould in a washing machine in one go. It’s just regular vinegar. It destroys mould spores and removes bad smells. Just apply the vinegar to a sponge and wipe down the drum, the door and the detergent compartment. Make sure you give the rubber seal a really good clean, as this is where most of the dirt tends to build up. Then add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to the machine and run a high-temperature cleaning cycle.