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For months, my husband and I couldn’t figure out where the mysterious stains on our clothes were coming from. That was, until I discovered our old washing machine was to blame. By the time we replaced it, the damage was done. But before realizing it was beyond saving, I tried just about every cleaning method out there.
Hopefully, your washing machine isn’t as far gone as mine was. The good news? You can often breathe new life into your appliance with a couple simple, natural ingredients—think vinegar and baking soda.
Below, we tapped two experts to share their best tips for how to clean your washing machine with vinegar and baking soda the right way, so your clothes stay fresh, and your washer lasts much longer than mine did.
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Before Getting Started
Natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda offer several benefits over chemical cleaners. “Ingredients like vinegar and baking soda are less harmful to your health, are more eco-friendly, and are more cost-effective,” says Maverick Davis, a Frontdoor Virtual Appliance Expert. “Plus, these natural cleaning agents are likely already in your pantry, too.”
Glenn Lewis, President of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, recommends using vinegar and baking soda to clean your washing machine because these ingredients are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safer for waterways, pets, and people—plus, they’re affordable and versatile.
There are a few safety precautions you’ll want to take when using these ingredients to clean your machine. “Check your machine’s manual for any warnings, and never mix [vinegar and baking soda] in the same cycle to avoid clogs or residue buildup,” says Lewis. “Also, if you use bleach in the laundry, you will want to run an empty cycle first to flush the washer out before adding vinegar.”
“I always recommend running a long, hot setting after cleaning of any kind—it’s essentially a long, hot rinse for the machine,” says Davis. “Using the baking soda first, with hot water, followed by vinegar, allows the baking soda to dissolve and soften to eradicate any grease or buildup. This minimizes the risk of solidification and pressure on the pipes.”
What You Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
How To Clean A Washing Machine With Vinegar And Baking Soda
- Make sure there are no clothes in the washing machine before you begin the cleaning process.
- Pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar directly into the drum of the machine. Do not add detergent or clothes.
- Select the hottest and longest wash cycle (this is usually called the “tub clean” or “sanitize” setting on your washer). Let the vinegar run through the machine to break down detergent residue, mold, and odors.
- After the vinegar cycle completes, sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run another hot wash cycle, without detergent or clothes again.
- Once the cycle is done, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down the drum, door, and any remaining moisture.
- Leave the door open to help air dry and prevent future mildew.
How Often To Clean Your Washing Machine With Vinegar And Baking Soda
According to Lewis, once a month is ideal to keep it fresh, prevent mold, and remove detergent residue.