Households are being urged to pour mouthwash into their washing machines this May to eliminate germs and reduce odours. The unconventional tip comes from Ian Palmer-Smith, an appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, who suggests using alcohol-based mouthwash as a cleaning agent.
According to Palmer-Smith, a maintenance wash with mouthwash should be performed every three months. He recommends pouring half a cup of colourless, alcohol-based mouthwash directly into the drum or detergent drawer and running an empty cycle. This allows the antiseptic properties to kill bacteria, sanitise the drum, and leave it smelling fresh.
The expert warns against using too much mouthwash, as it can cause excessive suds and overflow, potentially damaging the machine. He also advises against using this method on delicate clothing, as high alcohol content may degrade certain fabrics.
For best results, Palmer-Smith suggests pairing the mouthwash treatment with cleaning the detergent drawer and filter, which are often the quickest parts to get dirty. He also notes that white vinegar or baking soda are good alternatives if a dedicated washing machine cleaner is not available.
