A cleaning guru has shared a number of mistakes people have made when it comes to cleaning their homes, including a major one with the washing machine.

Christy, who goes by @christyytiktok, revealed how you can deep clean your appliance without the need for harsh chemicals.

In a TikTok video from earlier this month, Christy shared a simple hack for making sure your washing machine is in tip top shape – and can make clothes smell fresh.

All you need is some white vinegar.

To tackle unwanted smells or poor performance from your machine, you should run an empty hot wash with vinegar once a month, advised Christy.

She explained: “Run an empty hot wash with vinegar once a month for your washing machine to work properly (and your clothes smell fresh).”

The Spruce noted that distilled white vinegar and cleaning vinegar are great options for a deep clean of the washing machine due to their acetic acid content.

Acetic acid helps to dissolve various mineral build-ups in the machine’s drums and hoses.

It also helps to kill bacteria and fungi that cause bad and unwanted smells. Vinegar is a natural deodoriser.

Another benefit of vinegar is that it’s a natural disinfectant, which helps to effectively remove built-up grime, detergent residue, and mildew from the drum and seals due to its acidic properties.

In turn, this kills bacteria and dissolves mineral deposits within the machine.

However, be careful not to add too much, as this can damage the washing machine’s rubber seal.

Christy’s video has been viewed over a massive 81,400 times, receiving 4,964 likes and 89 comments.

Sunset asked: “How much vinegar would you recommend in the washing machine?”

To which Christy replied: “Add 1-2 cups of white vinegar in the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum.”

Emma wrote, “These are so helpful,” while Georgia said, “Loved this thanks for the reminder.”