Often-forgotten washing machine compartment could be reason you have smelly appliance

The washing machine is without a doubt one of the most-used appliances in the home. We regularly rely on them to keep our clothes clean, but because we use them so often it's important to remember they do get dirty from the build-up of detergent residue, dirt, fabric softener, grime and mould.

You might regularly give your washing machine a spritz, but if you find your appliance, or clothes, still are a bit smelly, it could be because you're neglecting an often-forgotten compartment. Online content creator Fraz, of @fixitwithfraz, who often shares DIY fixes and hacks, recently enlightened his 12.9k TikTok followers.

In the clip, he shared: "If you still have a smelly washing machine that you just can't sort out even though you've run multiple hot washes, multiple cleaners through it, you might be this one step away from making it so much better."

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Fraz explained that the water is delivered through the machine through the drawer which is normally located in the top left corner, where you add your detergents. According to the DIY expert, a pipe carries the water from the drawer, or compartment, to the drum, which is where it's heated.

He then shared: "The water that runs through that pipe is never heated, it's always cold, and bits of detergent can get left behind in that pipe and get really, really smelly." To combat this, Fraz recommends boiling your kettle, and giving it a "good flush through".

Fraz said: "Just open the drawer, and just pour it through the various sections. Give it all a good swish, and that boiling water will run through that pipe and clear out loads of that detergent. You'll be amazed how many times this has done the trick. It just makes it smell so much fresher."

You might have to do this a few times to make sure all the gunk and detergent has been flushed out of the pipes. However, keep in mind you'll now end up with "a pile of water in the drum". To combat this, all you need to do is put the washing machine on a drain wash, or draining spin.

People in the comment section couldn't wait to try this out for themselves. One person said: "This is absolutely the ONLY thing I haven't tried yet. I just did it, then put a dishwasher tablet in the drum and did another 90 degrees program without centrifuge.. hope this will finally hets the awful smell out of the bathroom. You get a follow."

Another added: "What a fantastic suggestion," and someone else simply said: "Fab idea!!! Will definitely try this! Thank you."