35p kitchen item goes beyond cleaning and 'kills' mould in your washing machine
The cheap kitchen item was recommended instead of using bleach.
Washing machines are dark, damp and warm, which is the perfect environment for mould to build up and thrive. Regular cleaning can keep on top of overall cleanliness within your appliance, but mould can still begin to build up in key areas, including the washing machine seal.
However, rather than reaching for the bleach, one person has shared their favourite item to clean mould - and you might already have it in your kitchen cupboard.
In a bid to help others, the user shared their tips on Reddit and explained their favourite item to use is white vinegar.
White vinegar can be purchased for less than £1, with Tesco currently selling the kitchen cupboard staple for just 35p. "Go and grab yourself a big bottle of white vinegar," wrote the user in the Reddit forum r/CleaningTips.
"Some places will have this in the cleaning aisle as 'cleaning vinegar' - whatever is cheapest. Next, get yourself a spray bottle and some rags. Put the vinegar in the spray bottle for ease of use.
DON'T MISS
Remove oil stains from driveways and paving in a day using 1 kitchen item [EXPLAINER]
Whiten yellowing garments with natural 35p kitchen item - it's not bleach [INSIGHT]
Cleaning fans hail 'magic' formula that prevents greasy fingerprint marks [COMMENT]
"On all the visible surfaces which aren't connected to anything that might blow up if it gets wet, spray the white vinegar and let it sit for like 15 mins. Then go through and wipe it off."
They added that if you can remove the soap intake compartment, it's worth removing this and soaking it in vinegar. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any soap scum build-up.
"Vinegar kills mould, whereas bleach just...bleaches it," they added.
"The smell of the vinegar will also dissipate quickly, so don't stress if your place smells like a fish and chip shop for a bit.
"When everything has been cleaned, dump what's left of the vinegar in the barrel of the machine and set it on hot wash for as long as you can. That should kill anything in the barrel and pipes."
White vinegar is more environmentally friendly than using bleach, though vinegar can also work wonders to get rid of any smells, along with the bacteria.
However, if you have considered using bleach make sure never to mix white vinegar. Only ever use one of these products as combining the two can be extremely dangerous.
