'Hidden' washing machine compartment everyone needs to clean or risk dirty clothes

The "secret" compartment can be a little tricky to spot, but it requires regular cleaning to maintain and improve your washing machine's efficiency, experts say

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A "hidden" washing machine compartment must be cleaned or users could be left with dirty clothes

Washers are used almost on a daily basis and need to be leaned regularly if they are to operate as they should. Some people can be wise about caring for their machine and know when tasks need tackling to keep your machine operating as it should.

But one area which remains out of sight has baffled many users. The filter compartment can be tricky to spot, requires regular cleaning to maintain and improve your machine's efficiency.

A property guru from Select London took to TikTok to tell her followers to clean their washers. She begins by laying a towel beneath the appliance before prying open a small hatch at its lower front. The filter compartment is often hidden and needs to be emptied and cleaned.

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DevonLive reports she said: "As soon as I open this you're going to see the water gushing out. ... Please be warned, it will stink because you've got all the dirt that's been collecting underneath and as you can see right now, as my example, we've got hair bands, all kinds of other stuff that you'll find in there."

The first step involves disinfecting the drainage area with antibacterial wipes. Then, the filter is taken to the sink where it's scrupulously scrubbed with washing up liquid and rinsed thoroughly before being reinstalled.

The discovery of this concealed compartment resonated with many, who were utterly oblivious to its presence or the necessity for routine cleaning. "I didn't know you had to do this," one individual remarked.

In a separate video on the platform, another user stumbled upon the same secret area. Comments included: "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 another person confessed: "I've had my front loader for years. Never done this."

In another post where the filter compartment was a hot topic Instagram user Babs aka @brunchwithbabs revealed there is a part of your washing machine you may forget about, but it needs cleaning at least four times a year - the filter. She challenged people to open up their washing machine to prove that it's sometimes tough to locate them.

The cleaning guru then gave a demonstration of how to remove the filter and clean it thoroughly - she uses a towel and a bowl to catch the excess water as she prepares to pull the filter out.

She describes the water as 'stinky winky' as the filter comes out looking disgusting - she then finds a rogue sock stuck behind the filter. Babs then sprays white vinegar on her cloth and used it to tackle the grime on the machine.

She explained: "Just wipe out the filter compartment. Just because it’s pretty bad. So after it’s dry, just take your filter and give it a nice twist to make sure it’s in tightly." This process needs to be repeated four times a year, and Babs explained it may be gross, but doesn't take long, and will prolong the life of the washing machine. Instagram users were shocked at the tip, with some saying they didn't even know the filter needed cleaning.