If you're dealing with a musty mildew smell in your washing machine, two household items might be the solution you need. A cleaning enthusiast has shared a simple hack using lemon and toothpaste to eliminate unpleasant odours.
Why Mildew Builds Up
Our washing machines work hard to clean clothes and linen, but they can develop mildew and mould due to trapped moisture, detergent residue, and dirt. Frequent low-temperature washes and closing the door immediately after use accelerate mildew growth.
The Lemon and Toothpaste Hack
Georgia, known as Clean with Georgia on TikTok, recommends this method. All you need is a lemon and some toothpaste. Slice the lemon in half, squirt a liberal amount of toothpaste onto the flesh, then place the lemon directly into the washing machine drum. Run a hot cycle, and the lingering mildew aroma should be gone.
How It Works
The lemon's citric acid breaks down mineral deposits, while toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away mildew and grime. Lemon also serves as a natural antibacterial agent. The combination cleans rubber seals and drums, leaving the machine fresh.
Additional Tips
You can add extra toothpaste to the inside door seal to tackle hidden mould. Professional cleaning expert Bret Jackson from Letti & Co adds that lemon juice is a natural disinfectant, fabric softener, and bleaching agent, brightening laundry and leaving a fresh scent.
