This could be the reason your laundry smells funky lately.
Plus, experts weigh in on the latest viral hack for cleaning your appliances.
Davi Land
Your washer works hard to clean your clothes, towels, and sheets every week.
Credit:Davi Land
But what happens when the machine itself gets dirty?
Just like all appliances,a washing machine requires regular cleaningso it can continue to perform optimally.
Neglecting this task will result in the eventual build-up of detergent residue, mold, and mildew.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Not to mention, your well-loved clothes wont look or smell nearly as fresh as they could.
So, whats the fix?
The only solution is to manually scrub the rubber ring from time to time.
According tothis viral Instagram Reelhowever, there may be a less strenuous way to get the job done.
What Is the Viral Washing Machine Cleaning Hack?
Is the Washing Machine Hack Worth Trying?
According toAmanda Herman, brand manager for Affresh Appliance Care, there’s nothing wrong with trying it out.
In other words, its not going toharm your washerand it will work to remove residue and odor.
But, will itkill stubborn mold and mildew?
Mary Gagliardi, otherwise known as Dr.
Essentially, she feels that no matter how viral a video is, it doesnt change these facts.
verify that the vinegar is completely wiped away and run a cycle (or even two!)
before trying to clean the seal again with bleach.
She suggests placing a towel under the open door to catch drips as you work.
After the ten minutes are up, rinse surfaces with clean water.
Leave the door open and allow surfaces to air dry once the cleanout cycle is complete.
Herman agrees that bleach is effective for mold removal inside the rubber ring.
Although, she is also a fan of scrubbing the part with a solution of vinegar and baking soda.
How Often Do you gotta Clean the Rubber Ring?
“Regular use of bleach generally means less build-up around the gasket.
Using thecorrect amount of laundry detergentper load is another way to slow the accumulation of residue inside the machine.
This can also help you washer last longer.
