If you're like most people, you probably don't think much about cleaning your washing machine. After all, it’s a washing machine - it should wash itself, right? But as this clever mum has revealed, there's one compartment in your washing machine that's often neglected and can get pretty gross if you don't clean it regularly.

Perth mum Carolina McCauley, who is known as the “home hacks queen”, recently shared a now-viral video on Facebook, showing how black mould can build up in the detergent drawer of your washing machine if you don't clean it regularly.

"Did you know your washing machine tray is probably mouldy? Remove and clean it every three weeks to prevent this from happening," the mum says in the clip.

Credit: TikTok/@carolina.mccauley​

Mould tends to grow in damp, warm areas with high condensation - such as the shower or bathtub, sinks, microwave, stove, blinds and windows. So it makes sense that the detergent drawer of your washing machine would be a prime spot for mould to grow.

However, thousands of people were still shocked to learn that they should be cleaning the rubber seal of their washing machine and leaving the door open after use to prevent mould and mildew from growing.

So, how does Carolina clean the detergent drawer on her washing machine?

The mum says that the process is easy: while wearing gloves, she first removes the drawer from the washing machine and sprays the compartment with equal parts vinegar and water with a few drops of lemon essential oil.

Next, she cleans the detergent drawer with soap and a sponge.

Carolina says that you should use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.

Then she uses the same cleaning toothbrush to clean inside the compartment.

Once clean, she wipes it down with a microfibre cloth.

Finally, Carolina inserts the drawer back inside.

The chore likely would've taken at most 10 minutes to complete - but it's a good thing to do regularly to prevent mould and mildew from taking over your washing machine and potentially seeping into your clothes!

The cleaning process only takes a maximum of 10 minutes to complete. Credit: TikTok/@carolina.mccauley.​

The post has gone viral on Instagram, racking up more than 44,000 views and over 1,000 likes.

One person wrote: "My next job."

"Love this so much!" another exclaimed.

A third chimed in: "I've never thought to do this."

Hundreds of users mentioned their friends and loved ones in the comments, informing them of this "important" tip.

Honestly, we were also surprised about this little-known knowledge despite the fact that it’s pretty common sense that the detergent drawer provides an ideal environment for mould to grow. We'll surely try this trick! How about you? Will you give this tip a go?

How to get rid of mould from washing machine drawers:

1. While wearing gloves, remove the drawer from the washing machine

2. Spray the compartment with equal parts vinegar and water with a few drops of lemon essential oil

3. Clean the detergent drawer with soap and a sponge. Use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas

4. Use the same cleaning toothbrush to clean inside the compartment

5. Once clean, wipe down with a microfibre cloth and insert the drawer back inside

Source: Carolina McCauley

 

[Ricci]

I always leave the doors and drawers slightly open on all my appliances after I've used them to give them a chance to dry out properly.

 

[Liz]

I do this regularly with the soap compartment and also clean the seal on the door of my washing machine every time I use it and leave the door open.

 

[debjane]

This is the reason I have a top loader, I always leave the lid open to let it air and clean the lint filter as well,, Irefuse to have a front loader because i have a disability and cannot get low enough to get clothes in and out, top loader is better for me also my DIL tried to convince me how good they were a but when I stayed with them something got melt butter on it and it went into he machine 3 times and still did not come clean ( she would only ever put 1/4 of the recommended detergent into the machine, I got home and put in through a cold water wash with one cap of my detergent in it and it came clean first wash.

 

[Halona]

I always leave the doors and drawers slightly open on all my appliances after I've used them to give them a chance to dry out properly.

Me too...

 

[Suzanne rose]

I always clean out the draw as well as lid and under rim. I also once a month add either vinegar to machine and do a quick wash cycle or I buy a washing machine cleanser that you also do a quick cycle

I clean my microwave daily and once a week I place 1/2 a lemon in a bowl of water and cook for 2 minutes

My fridge I clean weeking washing with hot soapy water then I wipe over with a little vanilla essence