We’d be lost without our washing machines. Imagine spending hours upon hours cleaning your clothes: scrubbing them on a washboard, soaking them, boiling them, ringing them, and hanging them. No thank you.
Thankfully, most British households now have a washing machine, and those days are behind us. At least they are if you treat your washing machine as well as it treats you.
Cleaning influencer Alana The Sahm [stay-at-home-mum] has taken to Instagram with an extra grimy, extra dirty video, showcasing exactly what happens if you don’t clean your washing machine regularly, and many users are disturbed by the results.
Showing her empty machine, the mum of two told fans: ‘Front loader washing machines are so high maintenance’, as she proceeded to take it apart to reveal all the dirt hiding in it.
Alana scrubbed the rubber seal with an old toothbrush and cloth, cleaned the dispenser drawer, and cleaned the pump filter as she completed the deep clean.
But the cleaning pro also reminded her followers to take off the plastic coverings on the internal drum and scrubbing the build-up – which many didn’t even realise you could do.
Upon unscrewing the covers, Alana showed off the brown gooey grime lurking beneath, unlocking a whole new fear for those who like to keep their kitchen appliances sparkling clean.
Explaining in the video voice-over that she does this once a month, many of her followers rushed to the comment section to share their shock at the unexpected build-up.
‘I’m just gonna pretend I never saw this’, copper_lighthouse wrote. judithmaciejewsku64 added: ‘That is so gross going to puke’.
While spam_grier commented: ‘Omg. IG keeps adding to my germaphobia daily. At this point I might as well just avoid anything that takes up time, air and energy outside of cleaning.’
While many other fans said they were going to ignore the cleaning hack and pretend they hadn’t seen it, expert Olivia Young, a Product Development Scientist at Astonish, has revealed to Metro.co.uk that it’s vital to put aside time to clean your machine regularly.
‘If your washing machine isn’t clean, how can your clothes be?’ She said. ‘To ensure it does its job properly, it’s really important that your washing machine is maintained and regularly cleaned.’ Which does make sense when you think about it – after all,’
Explaining that it is an ‘essential’ household appliance that is ‘constantly on the go,’ she added: ‘Properly cleaning your washing machine not only ensures your laundry comes out fresh and fragrant, but it can also extend the machine’s lifespan by years – saving you a lot of money over time.’
But, before you put on the rubber gloves and grab your scrubber brush, she warns that you should read the manufacturing guidelines, which are found in the washing machine’s user guide or manual.
This is because different models require different types of cleaning methods and if they aren’t followed, you could damage your machine, ending up with a hefty bill, or scrubbing your clothes for hours on end like those pre-washing machine days.
Olivia’s top tips for cleaning your washing machine:
Olivia says this part of the machine can see a build-up of mould and mildew if not regularly cleaned, resulting in odours developing on both the machine and your clothing, creating a mild health concern.
To prevent this, she suggests spraying a mould and mildew preventer on the seal and wiping it with a damp cloth.
‘It will work its magic in no time and your machine will be ready to go. If there isn’t any mould and mildew visible, it’s still advised to give the seal a clean every now and then – you can simply use an antibacterial cleanser to keep it fresh and bacteria-free.’
Detergent and fabric softener drawers are a breeding ground for bacteria if they go uncleaned, according to Olivia.
‘All you need to do is remove the drawers and give them a good clean with an antibacterial surface cleanser – this will effectively kill 99.9% of bacteria. Make sure to let them dry completely, before then reinserting them into the machine – then you’re good to go!’
One of, if not the most important, part of your washing machine is the drum, so you need to make sure it receives a regular clean with the same items you would use to clean your clothes, like Oxy Active.
‘Simply pop two scoops into an empty drum, then set the cycle on a high wash at 40-60 degrees,’ Olivia explains.
Another option is a specific laundry cleaner which you can use in the same way.
Olivia says you should keep the door open after you’ve used your washing machine to avoid creating a wet environment which provokes the growth of mould and mildew.
‘Keep it slightly ajar so that air can circulate inside the machine and dry it out. This will keep any nastiness at bay and ensure your machine stays fresher for longer.’
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