'Powerful' 5p ingredient will melt away washing machine grime - it's so quick

17 February 2024 , 14:16

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Cleaning your washing machine is important (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Washing machines clean our clothes, but how often do we clean them?

Every few months, washing machines need some TLC, but it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to making it gleam - but it's important that you do. Failing to give your washing machine a clean can result in a foul smell, and can even give your clothes an unpleasant musty odour.

It can also cause your washing machine to become a breeding ground for germs, and mould, and if left too long, will become really difficult to deep clean. Luckily, cleaning expert Debbie Young explained that you just need one common kitchen item that costs just 5p - and you won't even need to scrub.

"You don't need a costly speciality cleaner for this; instead, use dishwasher tabs, which the majority of us already have at home", she said. Debbie is an active member of Scrub Hub, a volunteer sewing community which was founded during the pandemic to make scrubs for NHS staff.

On the Scrub Hub website, Debbie shared that dishwasher tablets are the key product you need to give your washing machine the deep cleaning it desperately needs.

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"You don't need to hire a professional to dismantle and deep clean your machine or use any pricy washing machine detergents. Traditional dishwasher tabs are a cheap and powerful option", she said. Morrisons sell dishwasher tablets for £1.99 for a pack of 40, meaning it's 5p per use.

And the method is so simple - you just need to pop the dishwasher tablets into the drum of an empty washing machine, close the washing machine door, and then add some warm water into the detergent drawer. Then, set your machine to 90C or its hottest setting, and run the machine on a normal washing cycle.

She said that two washing tablets will suffice for a normal washing machine, but if your appliance is larger, then you may want to use three or four tablets "at most." Debbie said: "More than four tablets may prevent the product from draining away properly, leaving a residue that may cling to garments or disrupt the normal washing cycle."

Danielle Kate Wroe