Hidden washing machine 'trap door' baffles people as they've never cleaned it

03 April 2024 , 09:32

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Your washing machine has a hidden compartment (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If your clothes smell musty when they've just been washed, this might be why.

We all love that fresh feeling you get when you put on clothes that have just been washed. But have you ever noticed that sometimes your clothes come out of the washing machine with a musty smell? Perhaps they even have detergent residue on them still, or just generally don't seem that clean. Well, apparently that's because most washing machines have a hidden compartment that needs regular cleaning to keep the appliance working properly - and many of us had no idea it even existed.

According to a cleaning expert, all front-loading washing machines have a "trap door" at the bottom that hides a vital part of the appliance that you must keep clean - the filter.

The expert posted a video on his TikTok account @cleanthatup, in which he said: "Did you know your front load washing machine has a filter? Here's how to clean that up! If you have a front-load washing machine, if you come down here you'll notice there's this little trap door.

"Now, every machine is a little bit different but in most cases, you'll have this little drain hose here. And if you pull this out there's a little drain plug. I just like to put a towel down and then have a little dish that this can go into."

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The man then went on to pull the filter out of his washing machine to show how it was covered in brown gunk, as well as hair that had become wrapped around the cylinder. He added: "You'll notice there's this little teeny filter here. Turn that counterclockwise. What I'll do first is just give everything a good rinse. Try to remove as much of the hair and build up and sludge as possible."

After cleaning the grimy filter with fresh water under his kitchen tap, the man then made a cleaning solution out of vinegar and water to properly scrub the filter clean. "Now for cleaner, I just use a vinegar DIY mix," he explained, "Give everything a good spray down then I just grab my little toothbrush and give everything a quick scrub."

The man's video has garnered a staggering 2.3 million views since it was posted, and people have been left baffled - as many had no idea the filter even existed. One person commented: "The way I did that and it STUNK!"

While someone else posted: "Thank you for reminding me to clean my grandma's filter. She didn't know it needed to be cleaned, [and it] was 2 years ago [that] I cleaned it," and a third said: "I've had my front loader for years. Never done this."

Zahna Eklund