Man shocked by dirt and grime found in his washing machine after cleaning it with dishwasher tablets

What’s really lurking in your washing machine: Man shows the ‘disgusting’ reality of what happens by putting a dishwasher tablet inside

Man cleaned his washing machine with dishwasher tablets
He found hidden grime and dirt inside
Some warned against using the tablets in washing machines

By Louise Allingham For Daily Mail Australia

A man was shocked when he saw the dirt and grime in his washing machine after he put it on a cleaning cycle with dishwasher tablets.

Billy Sarris decided to give his washing machine a good clean after he washed his sheets and noticed a strange smell coming from the appliance afterwards.

He decided to put the machine on an extra hot cycle with two dishwashing tablets inside to clean it out and get rid of the smell.

After just 15 minutes he started to see grime in the soapy water in his front loader and after 40 minutes even more dirt had been revealed.

Billy said after putting the dishwasher tablets through the machine it smelt ‘fresh’ and clean enough to put his sheets through a cycle again.

A man was shocked by what he saw in his washing machine after cleaning the appliance with two dishwasher tablets. He noticed dirt and grime in the soap suds during a clean cycle

‘So I just washed my sheets and when I opened the washing machine door I smelled something funky, so it thought to myself ‘hmm this washing machine’s due for a little TLC’,’ Billy said in a TikTok clip.

What Items Should You Use to Clean a Washing Machine?

White vinegar
Calgon, or Calgon alternatives
Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner
Soda crystals
Products that are advertised as washing machine cleaners
Products noted in your washing machine’s user manual

Source: In The Wash

He put two dishwasher tablets in the drum and set the machine on a wash at the hottest temperature possible.

After 15 minutes, Billy could see grime among the soapy suds in the drum and even more after 40 minutes.

Towards the end of the cycle, Billy happily reported the water had been running clear and dirt-free and smelt ‘fresh’ when it was done.

‘Some say it’s good, some say it’s bad. I say it’s great,’ he wrote of the hack.

His video amassed more than 1.1million views and horrified many in the comments.

‘Dishwasher tablets don’t even get that soapy. That’s all the detergent residue,’ one viewer pointed out.

Others shared their tips they use to keep their washing machines fresh and free of mould.

‘Appliance rep here. You are supposed to keep the door open after every wash to allow the water inside to evaporate. That helps!’ one woman said.

‘Next time, you do a drum clean on 90 degrees with a splash of bleach. Dishwashing tablets can cause issues with the hose,’ warned a second.

He put two dishwasher tablets in the drum and set the machine on a cycle at the hottest temperature possible however not everyone was on board with the hack

‘Just use vinegar on the highest setting,’ a third suggested.

‘Once a week, highest temp and longest setting, no product,’ recommended a fourth.

While dishwasher tablets won’t do any harm or lead to serious damage to the appliance is used seldomly, long-time use can potentially cause problems.

Most manufacturers warn against using dishwasher tablets and it can void the machine’s warranty.

The tablets need very high temperatures to work effectively and may leave residue behind in the drum, seal and hose.

It can also potentially erode the seals with their harsh chemicals and cause too much foam to build up during a cycle.

Can you clean a washing machine with dishwasher tablets?

It is possible to use dishwasher tablets to clean a washing machine, but you do so at your own risk.

While your initial results may be great, you shouldn’t use the tablets to clean your washing machine for a long period of time because they’re not designed to go in there.

Some manufacturers warn against doing this, and it may void the warranty

If you read your user manual there is probably a paragraph, or two, somewhere that tells you exactly how to clean your washing machine. There may also be a list of products you definitely shouldn’t use to do the job.

This information is there because you need to wash your machine in a particular way, so that you don’t break it. If you don’t follow the advice in the book, your warranty might be voided.

Dishwasher tablets do not work as well at lower temperatures

Dishwasher tablets need extreme temperatures to work effectively as they are used to clean some of the dirtiest, greasiest pots and pans we have.

However, washing machines can be used at various temperatures because some clothes need specific colder temperatures.

Dishwasher tablets may leave residue behind in the drum, seal and hose

While you may be able to get rid of this by running another hot wash, this is a needless waste of time and energy.

Clothes can sometimes feel quite tough and rough after being washed in a machine that has been cleaned with a dishwasher tablet.

The ingredients in dishwasher tablets are not designed for washing machines

The hardy ingredients in dishwasher tablets will differ greatly from that of clothes cleaning detergent, because they serve different purposes.

This may cause damage to various parts within a washing machine, like the seals. A washing machine may start to fail if too many dishwasher tablets are used at once, or if the tablets are used too frequently.

Source: In The Wash

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