Is a foul odour emanating from your washing machine, undermining its very purpose of leaving clothes fresh? A savvy DIY expert has shared a remarkably simple solution that involves one regular step to combat the stench.
The Viral Hack for a Fresh-Smelling Appliance
The solution comes from TikTok user @fixitwithfraz, who boasts 13,500 followers on the platform where he shares his DIY fixes. In a recent clip that amassed 10,500 likes, he demonstrated how using boiling water can effectively flush out persistent bad smells.
"If you still have a smelly washing machine that you can't just sort out even though you've run multiple hot washes, multiple cleaners through it," he explained, "you might be this one step away from making it so much better."
How the Boiling Water Method Works
The expert detailed the science behind the problem. He showed how water travels through a pipe to the washing machine's drum, where it is then heated. The water within that pipe itself remains cold, allowing bits of leftover detergent to accumulate and become "really, really smelly."
His advice is straightforward: boil your kettle and pour the water through the detergent drawer's various sections. After giving it a good swish, the boiling water will travel through that cold pipe, clearing out the gunky detergent build-up.
He advised doing this a few times for a thorough flush. Be aware that this will leave a puddle of hot water in the drum, so you should run the machine on a drain or spin cycle afterwards.
Additional Tips for a Fresh Machine
Beyond this clever hack, several other practices can help maintain a fresh-smelling appliance:
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open between washes to air it out.
- Run a monthly hot cycle with vinegar, baking soda, or a dedicated washing machine cleaner.
- Regularly wipe down the rubber seal and clean the filter.
- Always use the correct amount of detergent.
- Crucially, remove clothes from the machine as soon as the cycle finishes to prevent mildew from developing.
For those at their wit's end with a smelly machine, this boiling water trick is a simple, cost-effective method worth trying to restore a fresh scent to your laundry routine.
