Ditch vinegar and bleach for two natural items to banish mould from your washing machine for good – they work like magic

IF you’ve noticed a nasty stench coming from your washing machine, fear not, we’ve got you covered.

Whilst all of us will use a washing machine to do our laundry, it turns out that many people overlook cleaning their handy gadget.

GettyIf you’ve noticed mould and limescale building up in the seal of your washing machine, we’ve got just the thing for you[/caption] GettyNot only will this simple hack banish the dirty residues, but it’ll also put an end to nasty smells too[/caption] GettyThanks to Konstantina Antoniadou, your washing machine will be mould-free[/caption] GettyBut you’ll have to ditch the bleach and white vinegar for citric acid and baking soda[/caption]

And particularly if you’ve noticed a funky smell coming from your appliance, it might be time to check the inner rubber seal around the door. 

Moisture builds up on the rubber seal after a wash cycle, which can attract mould, limescale and other dirty residues.  

As a result, washing machine doors need to be cleaned regularly, as if left uncleaned, the seal will begin to smell musty and cause your laundry to be stained even after a wash. 

Luckily for you, Konstantina Antoniadou, an expert from Indie Get Up, has shared a super quick and easy way which she hailed as ‘magic’, to get rid of mould in the washing machine.

You’ll need two natural items – but you’ll have to ditch bleach and white vinegar.

Konstantina said: “The acidity of vinegar can pose a risk to certain components of your washing machine, such as rubber seals and hoses. Prolonged exposure to it may cause deterioration or premature wear and tear. 

“Also, while vinegar can eliminate some odours, it has a strong smell of its own. If not rinsed thoroughly, the scent of vinegar can linger in your washing machine and even transfer to your clothes. Not exactly the fresh scent you’re aiming for!” 

Konstantina also advised against using bleach to kill mould, as not only can the harsh chemicals irritate your clothes but it can greatly damage rubber and make it more likely to cause your washing machine to leak. 

Instead, according to Konstantina, the “best natural way” to clean a washing machine is to use baking soda and citric acid, a natural mild acid found in lemon juice but a crystalised version of it is also sold in supermarkets as a cleaning agent. 

Konstantina advised: “Baking soda is a fantastic cleaning solution! This gentle yet powerful ingredient is a staple in natural cleaning. 

“It helps break down grime, neutralise odours, and acts as a mild abrasive.

“Citric acid is a natural compound found in citrus fruits and is widely used as a cleaning agent. 

“It effectively removes limescale and mineral deposits that can build up in your washing machine.” 

It turns out that citric acid will create an acidic environment that will prevent mould and mildew from being able to grow back, without being harsh enough to damage the seal around your washing machine. 

Meanwhile, baking soda is alkaline, which means it can break down grease and oily build-up that may be in your rubber seal effortlessly so you can deeply clean the washing machine in no time. 

If your washing machine could do with a clean and you fancy giving this method a go, you’ll need to nab two tablespoons of citric acid, 115g of baking soda, some warm water and a clean cloth or sponge.

First of all, you simply add the citric acid to the detergent drawer or to the drum of your washing machine. 

Then add the baking soda directly to the drum of the washing machine and choose the hottest and longest wash cycle available. 

Konstantina explained: “The combination of hot water and a lengthy cycle allows the baking soda to work its magic in cleaning your machine thoroughly.”

Once the wash cycle is complete, open the washing machine door and use a clean cloth or sponge with warm water to wipe down the washing machine seal. 

Thanks to this ‘magic’ method, your washing machine door should be completely clean, but you must remember to always leave the washing machine door open in the future after a wash to prevent mould. 

The cleaning enthusiast shared: “After completing the cleaning process, leave the lid or door of your washing machine open for a while to allow the interior to air dry.

“This will help prevent any moisture buildup and keep your machine fresh.”