Have you ever noticed a musty smell coming from your washing machine but can’t pinpoint the cause?
Fear not, as one TikTok user has shared a simple solution that requires no scrubbing. Although supermarkets offer cleaning products specifically designed to solve this problem, they may not always be convenient or affordable.
Anna Louisa (@anna_louisa_at_home) has come up with an alternative that uses only two common household items to freshen up your device. His video, which has amassed over four million views, reveals his top five home hacks for 2024.
“Deodorize and clean the washing machine drum by cutting a lemon in half, removing the seeds and squeezing a swirl of toothpaste into both before throwing them into the washing machine on high speed,” he advises in the clip.
Her tips have been well received, with one TikTok user commenting: “Oh, very helpful”, another adding: “A video I needed but didn’t know I needed”, and a third said: “Thank you so much, I love these tips, keep it up to the model!”
However, one person warned against the hack, warning: “Be careful with the lemon and toothpaste thing. My neighbor did it and it’s been a complete mess in her washing machine for weeks. Like bits of pulp and gunk everywhere. She can’t take it off.”
Anna Louisa also shared four more household tips in her video. She suggested, “Spritz furniture cushions with perfume or essential oil and put them in your drawers” to keep them smelling fresh, advising, “It keeps them smelling. Just add an extra spritz when you notice the smell fading.”
He then revealed a tip for keeping faucets pristine, saying that by rubbing candle wax on them and “buffing” it with a cloth, water marks can be prevented for longer. “The water runs straight!” he exclaimed.
For those looking to repel spiders and other insects, Anna Louisa recommends: “Fill a spray bottle halfway with water and add 20 drops of peppermint oil. Spiders and insects don’t like the smell of peppermint, so spray it around windows and doors to keep them away.”
Finally, he explained how to deep clean the cloths. She advised adding them to an old pot of water (make sure it’s not too full or it will bubble over) and “Sprinkle in 1/2 cup – 1 cup bicarbonate of soda (depending on the size of the pot. Boil for 15 minutes before letting cool and rinse with cold water. Wash with regular detergent on a quick wash cycle and let it air dry.”
