Experts weigh in on viral washing machine cleaning hack

When it comes to cleaning, if there's a hack that makes things easier we're all keen to give it a crack. But we have to keep in mind not everything is going to work.

A viral hack has been doing the rounds and it seems like a pretty simple — and cheap — way to clean your washing machine.

The hack started getting attention last year in the Facebook group Mums Who Clean, and has become popular again on TikTok and Instagram. It's simple and involves putting up to four dishwasher tablets into your washing machine drum and running a hot cycle.

Several women explained they were told about this cleaning tip by a repair man.

With dishwasher tablets under 50 cents each it inspired a lot of people to give it a go, but experts have warned against jumping on the bandwagon with this one because it could not only damage your machine, but your clothes too.

"For us, laundry is about more than simply washing clothes, it's about great fabric care," a Fisher and Paykel spokesperson told 9Entertainment.

"While dishwashing detergents may clean the machine effectively, they can also leave a coating on the drum that may not be ideal for your garments. Ask yourself: Would you wash your most precious garments with dishwashing detergent without knowing how they would affect the fabric?

RELATED: How to clean your washing machine

"There are a number of great products on the market that are purpose-formulated for cleaning your washing machine. These products have been tested, give excellent results, and are what we recommend to clean your washing machine."

Choice white goods expert Ashley Iredale echoed similar concerns about the hack.

"This may work initially," he explained. "But I wouldn't recommend it. Washing machines aren't designed to deal with highly caustic dishwasher detergents, so doing this may damage seals and hoses over time — which could also void your consumer guarantee or warranty as the manufacturer may say you didn't follow proper instructions."

RELATED: How long can you really leave wet washing in the machine?

At the end of the day if you want to test out a viral hack it's up to you, but weigh up the chances of what it could do to your appliance in the long run or to your warranty.

As with anything new, especially cleaning products, you should always patch test on an inconspicuous area in case it does go wrong.