How do I deep clean my washing machine without vinegar?

Author: Mrs. Brionna Harber  |  Last update: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Step 1: Set your washing machine on the highest temperature it will go. Step 2: Pour two cups of bleach into the detergent tray. Step 3: Set your washing machine to run on the longest cycle. Step 4: Allow the cycle to start, the basket to fill, and the bleach to mix with the water.

How to clean the inside of a washing machine without vinegar?

If you don't have a self-cleaning cycle, just fill it with hot water. Add a quart of bleach for stain removal. If the inside of your washer is stained, bleach will do the trick. Add it through the dispenser so that it mixes with hot water, then let the machine finish the rest of the washing cycle.

What is the best thing to run through a washing machine to clean it?

Cleaning a washing machine can be done in a few simple steps. First, add one cup of white vinegar to the machine. Run the washer on the hottest cycle. Next, add one cup of baking soda to the machine. Run the washer on the hottest cycle again. Finally, wipe down the inside of the machine with a damp cloth.

What can I use instead of vinegar in the washing machine?

Citric acid instead of clear vinegar for rising laundry It was recently mentioned on a Facebook housework page that citric acid has the same effect as vinegar when doing laundry, you just have to dilute it with water and use it as you would vinegar.

How to deep clean a washing machine naturally?

As a natural option in place of washing machine cleaner tabs, pour 2 cups of vinegar into your detergent dispenser and run your washer on the hot cycle. When it's done, add a half-cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle.

The miraculous trick of cleaning the washing machine with lemon and toothpaste⭐Quick cleaning tricks

How do I deep clean the inside of my washing machine?

Pour the bleach into the tub of the washing machine and let it sit for an hour before starting the rinse cycle. If you don't want to use bleach you can opt for distilled vinegar instead. Run an entire rinse cycle. Crank your machine up to its hottest water setting and complete a rinse cycle with the bleach or vinegar.

What can I put in my washing machine to self clean it?

Run the machine on the hottest setting: Without adding any clothes to the washing machine, pour in four cups of distilled white vinegar and run the machine on its hottest setting.

What is a good substitute for vinegar for cleaning?

Lemon juice has many similar qualities as white vinegar: it's acidic, it removes stains, and has sanitizing and bleaching properties. Plus, its bright and fresh smell is often a welcomed change from vinegar's sharp, nose-tingling aroma.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

What can I use instead of Affresh to clean my washing machine?

You can't go wrong with vinegar and baking soda - it's probably the most popular alternative to Affresh, and for good reason. Here's what you do: grab a cup of baking soda and two cups of white vinegar, then put them right in your washing machine's drum. Run it on hot water, and these two ingredients will get to work.

What cleans a dirty washing machine?

For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.

Can I run my washing machine empty to clean it?

Running your washing machine empty can be particularly beneficial under certain conditions. For instance, if you're transitioning from washing heavy fabrics, like towels, to lighter items, an empty cycle can help prepare the machine and eliminate any residue.

How to sanitize a washing machine?

Starting the washer on its hottest cycle, allow the drum to fill with water, then add one quart of chlorine bleach to the water before allowing the cycle to complete. Repeat the process once the cycle has finished, adding a quart of distilled white vinegar to the washer drum before letting its second cycle complete.

How to descale a washing machine?

If you want to get rid of limescale in your washing drum, pour some descaler into the detergent dispenser, and start an empty cycle on at least 60 degrees. If you want to manually clean your drum from the inside, use a damp cloth to wipe it out.

Will bleach damage my washing machine?

Bleach can be used inside your washing machine for cleaning it as well as working well as a washing machine disinfectant. The most important thing to remember is that you must run at least one empty cycle after cleaning, to remove all remaining bleach and help prevent bleaching next time you do a load of laundry.

How do you make produce wash without vinegar?

For a mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon baking soda to every 2 cups cold water. If your produce is on a vine, such as tomatoes, or leafy like a head of lettuce, separate the produce and remove all vines and outer leaves. Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes.

How to get rid of black marks on rubber in a washing machine?

Run the washing machine on a hot cycle

Add a cup of white vinegar or Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner to the detergent compartment. The hot water and vinegar combination will help remove any scum or buildup inside the machine, including the rubber seal. Repeat this process if you have particularly stubborn scum buildup.

How to clean the inside of a washing machine?

Use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to naturally clean your washing machine; pour half a cup of baking soda into the drum followed by two cups of vinegar in the detergent dispenser, then run a hot wash cycle. For stubborn grime and odors, consider commercial washing machine cleaners.

What is the best chemical to clean a washing machine?

Start with an empty tub. For a front-load washer, put 2 tablespoons of borax or oxygen bleach and 2 tablespoons of washing soda in the tub of the washing machine. For a top-loading machine, put 1/2 cup of each of the powders into the wash tub. Run at the hottest temperature or use the “clean tub” setting on the washer.

How to clean without vinegar?

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar
  1. 16 oz glass spray bottle.
  2. 2 cups distilled water.
  3. 4 teaspoon liquid castile soap.
  4. 12-13 drops of essential oil.

What is a good substitute for vinegar in laundry?

Alternatives to Using Vinegar in Laundry

"Baking soda also works to neutralize odors and provide a deeper clean," says LaLonde. Oxygen bleach: Oxygen bleach is an effective alternative to vinegar and can be used for odor and mold removal, says Richardson.

What is a stronger cleaner than vinegar?

Powerful Solvent: Rubbing alcohol is a potent solvent that can effectively dissolve dirt, grease, and certain stains. Its fast-evaporating nature ensures that surfaces dry quickly, leaving them clean and streak-free.

How do you deep clean a washing machine DIY?

Pour 2 cups of vinegar into the detergent dispenser, filling all the sections. Then, select the largest load and hottest water setting and run a complete cycle. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the washer drum and run a second cycle set to the largest load and hottest water setting.

How do I clean my washing machine without vinegar?

Step 1: Set your washing machine on the highest temperature it will go. Step 2: Pour two cups of bleach into the detergent tray. Step 3: Set your washing machine to run on the longest cycle. Step 4: Allow the cycle to start, the basket to fill, and the bleach to mix with the water.

What happens if you don't self clean your washing machine?

Your laundry will smell.

When your front load washer doesn't get regularly cleaned, your laundry is likely to come out smelling bad due to the mold, grime, and other debris that build up in your washer drum. To stop this from happening, it's important to clean all of the grime and mold out of your washer regularly.

Previous article
How do you clear noisy water pipes?
Next article
Does changing water filter affect ice maker?