A savvy homeowner has wowed thousands with her simple washing machine cleaning hack that requires just two items. Lifestyle blogger Kerry, known as Renovation_44 on TikTok, shared her "quick and easy" method, which costs a mere 88p.

The video begins with Kerry holding two halves of a lemon, onto which she squeezes a blob of toothpaste. She then throws them into the washing machine and starts a rinse cycle.

"I know what you're thinking, but hear me out," she says in the clip. "For a quick and easy washing machine clean, just cut a lemon in half, add toothpaste, and throw it into your washing machine to eliminate odours and leave your washing machine absolutely sparkling."

In the caption, Kerry added: "Does your washing machine smell? Use this quick hack - toss lemon halves into your empty washer and run the washer on speed wash with very hot water. After the cycle is finished, you have a fresh smelling washer - and for very little cost."

The trick won't break the bank, particularly if you already have a lemon and some spare toothpaste at home. If not, you can pick up a lemon from Aldi for just 19p, and a tube of toothpaste for only 69p, for instance, reports Plymouth Live.

One viewer, Cheri, inquired if anyone had tried the suggested method. Monika responded with enthusiasm: "Yesss, I was shocked how clean and sparkly my washing machine is after that! And also beautiful smell, 1000% recommend this." Sarah agreed, saying: "It's very true, I always use this method."

Inquisitive about the specifics, Alice asked: "What cycle do you put it on? A quick wash?" To which Kerry advised: "40c or higher."

Ellie, on the other hand, argued that there is a simpler option, saying: "Just use washing machine cleaner! No need for sticky lemons." Lilz shared her own approach: "Just use 2-3 dishwasher tablets once a month."

Someone else touted the virtues of adding a dishwasher tablet, suggesting: "Better tip, add a dishwasher tablet or equivalent. Set washer to whites select 90C let it run (will take a while) - kills bacteria the source of the smells."

While some vouch for unconventional mixes like toothpaste and lemon, appliance care expert Renae warns against such methods. She said the method won't likely clean your machine as well as you'd want it to.

She said: "Lemon and an ungodly amount of toothpaste will not clean your washing machine. Citric acid is a great cleaner, but not in the concentration of a lemon. When diluted in a few gallons of water, washing machines can spin at around 1500 RPMs, so you'll almost definitely get fruit pulp inside of your washer drum.

"Toothpaste works specifically by the abrasion against your teeth, but that cleaning action doesn't work when it's floating around in water. Fluoride in toothpaste is great for preventing cavities, but it does nothing for cleaning."

Alternative cleaning methods

• Baking soda: Add baking soda to the drum and run a hot cycle to tackle odours and residue.
• Vinegar: Mix white vinegar with essential oils and add it to the detergent compartment, then run a hot cycle to break down minerals and mould.
• Commercial washing machine cleaners: Consider using a commercial washing machine cleaner regularly.

Run a hot cycle with vinegar:

• Empty your washing machine and set it to the hottest water setting.
• Pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser.
• Start the wash cycle and let it run to completion.

Run a second hot cycle with baking soda:

• After the vinegar cycle is complete, add half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum.
• Run another hot cycle without detergent to help loosen any remaining buildup.