Mould is something that likes to take over many areas of the home, particularly when it comes to washing machines. Mould and mildew thrive in moist and warm environments, making the rubber seal of a washing machine an ideal breeding ground. Accumulated dirt, detergent residue, and water leaks contribute to the growth of mould and mildew on the rubber seal.

To tackle black mould stains on your rubber seal, cleaning guru Lynsey Crombie recommends ditching bleach for baking soda. Once the seal is mould-free, there's a vital step she recommends never skipping if you want to keep mould away.

So why baking soda? Well, it's a natural lightening agent and can help to lift any remaining stains from mould spores.

As well as removing mould, baking soda is also effective are banishing pungent odours that are taking over your washing machine.

For this tip, simply pull back the lip of the rubber seal and sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda inside.

Spritz this with some water to create a paste, and scrub this with a small brush; any old toothbrush will do the job.

After scrubbing, leave the paste sitting in the seal for 10 minutes and finish it off by running a rinse cycle to get rid of the remaining baking soda in the washing machine.

Lynsey said: "The bicarb will soak up the odours and clean up the seal with ease." Just like that, you can kiss your mouldy and smelly washing machine goodbye.

To make sure mould stays away "for good", Lynsay claimed that leaving your washing machine door open after every cycle is a must.

She said: "Leave your washing machine door open for 20 minutes after emptying your laundry load will ensure your machine dries out.

"The fresh air will cause the water to evaporate faster, ultimately ensuring your machine stays dry and keeps mould and mildew at bay for good."

It's also worth leaving the detergent drawer open as mould can often build up in this area too.