The humble washing machine is one of the biggest unsung heroes at home, helping families keep their clothes, sheets and towels fresh.
Many of us will likely use this multiple times per week, so keeping on top of maintenance is crucial.
And one of the most vital things that homeowners should remember is deep-cleaning the washing machine, as this will not only prolong the lifespan of your appliance, but it’ll also make your clothes look and smell much better.
However, according to the comments on a viral TikTok, people are guilty of neglecting this task – with some saying they ‘never’ do it.
Thankfully, one cleaning expert has shared a handy step by step guide for deep cleaning your appliance, and you only need three products to do so.
TikToker @cleaningwithida posted the handy video on her page which has racked up more than 4.6 million views to date, with hundreds of people flooding the comments to rave about how effective it is.
One person joked: “Thank you for the reminder!” while another said: “I guess I’ll clean my washer tonight.”
Here’s how you can deep clean yours in just a couple of easy steps.
How to deep clean washing machine
First up, locate the filter, which is usually on the bottom left or right of the washing machine. Grab a towel or Tupperware box and keep it close as you take off the screw, as water usually flows out.
Meanwhile, remove the detergent tray as well. Then, take a couple of cleaning cloths and soak them in white vinegar, before placing them on your washing machine seal.
This is a prime area for mould due to how damp it is, and white vinegar acts as a natural mould blaster, making this an excellent hack.
Then, using another cloth or a scrubbing brush, clean the filter and detergent tray with washing up liquid and let them dry, doing the same to the interiors as well. Once everything has fully dried, replace the parts.
Then, remove the cloths from the washing machine seal before giving them a good wipe down to remove any possible mould spores lurking in there.
All there’s left to do is wipe down the front and back of the door, as well as the washing machine’s exterior, before adding in some more white vinegar into the detergent drawer and one scoop of baking soda into the drum.
Running a hot wash with these ingredients provides that final deep cleaning step that will leave your machine looking sparkling again.