How to sanitize a washing machine with vinegar?

Author: Nelle Huels  |  Last update: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Run an empty, regular cycle on hot, using two cups of distilled white vinegar instead of detergent. Add the vinegar to the detergent dispenser. (Don't worry about harming your machine, as white vinegar will not damage clothes.) The hot water-vinegar combo removes and prevents bacteria growth.

How do I disinfect my washing machine with vinegar?

Add two cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser. Run it through a complete cycle. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth.

How to get rid of bacteria in a washing machine?

Once a week, run an empty cycle with just a cup of bleach or of vinegar. This will disinfect your washer, and prevent germs from hanging out in the drum. You need to do this regularly to keep the machine sanitary.

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.

Is it safe to pour vinegar in washing machine?

The washing machine and your dishwasher are two appliances you should never use vinegar in. Vinegar is very hard on the seals and the rubber hoses, it causes them to become brittle, and they will eventually crack.

MOLDY WASHER MACHINE! EXTREME CLEANING | it's Cristal Cotrell

Which compartment to put vinegar in washing machine?

Front-load washer: Vinegar is usually used as a fabric-softener alternative when it comes to laundry, and for that reason should be put in the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine, Matthew says.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

What is the best thing for cleaning out washing machine?

Simply add a cup of white vinegar to an empty cycle and run your machine on the hottest setting. This will help to kill any bacteria that may have accumulated in the appliance.

How do you deep clean and sanitize a washing machine?

How to Deep Clean and Sanitize Your Washing Machine
  1. Remove the bleach/fabric softener dispensers. ...
  2. Add a cup of bleach to the washing machine. ...
  3. Run an entire rinse cycle. ...
  4. Clean the rubber seal. ...
  5. Wipe down the exterior. ...
  6. Unplug the dryer. ...
  7. Clean out the lint drawer. ...
  8. Vacuum.

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 the best disinfectant for washing machines?

Use Bleach to Clean Washer Tub

A washer's tub is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Cleaning a washing machine with bleach is a highly effective way to kill these microorganisms. Bleach also breaks down stubborn stains and gets rid of lingering odors.

How do you deodorize and disinfect your washing machine?

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum of the washer. Run a complete cycle. Set your machine to its highest heat setting. Run a full wash cycle just as you normally would, but without clothes.

What is a natural disinfectant for washing?

From cleaning to deodorizing, white vinegar is a safe, natural product that has many practical uses around the house—and it's a powerful laundry disinfectant, too.

How long do you leave vinegar in the washing machine?

Add in four cups of white vinegar, and start a cycle. Once the washing machine is filled up and barely started, pause it and allow the water and white vinegar to soak the drum for an hour.

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.

Is cleaning vinegar the same as white vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar and white distilled vinegar are very similar in their composition (namely, acetic acid and water), but the key difference lies in the acidity levels between the two. "Cleaning vinegar generally contains a higher acetic acid concentration than regular white vinegar," says Sokolowski.

Can you sanitize washing machine with vinegar?

Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest setting. Add 4 cups of white vinegar to the wash cycle. After the cycle starts, pause the machine and allow it to sit for an hour.

What is the sanitize option on a washing machine?

Sanitize cycles on washing machines, dryers and dishwashers add another layer of germ protection by reducing 99% of bacteria commonly found on dishes and home laundry.

How do I clean and disinfect my washing machine?

Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 quart of water. Pour the bleach solution into the empty tub and run a complete cycle on hot water. After the cycle is complete, wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and leave the lid open to air dry. To deep clean, remove the agitator cap and wash it in warm, soapy water.

What do professional power washers use to clean?

Professionals use a gas-powered pressure washer, a surface cleaner attachment, and a careful selection of specialized nozzle tips, surfactants, bleaches, degreasers, and oxalic acid for pressure washing.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

The results will be exactly the same, however white vinegar is most definitely the more environmentally friendly option (and it's more affordable too). Just remember to never mix both bleach and vinegar together or even use them at the same time, as this can cause a dangerous reaction and release chlorine gas.

Can you use distilled white malt vinegar for cleaning a washing machine?

👍 - You will need: ✨White spirit vinegar (also called distilled vinegar) ✨A cloth Instructions: ✨Scrub seal of washing machine with a cloth dipped in white sprit vinegar ✨Pour 2 cups of white spirit vinegar in empty washing machine drum ✨Run machine on hottest wash cycle ✨Put a splash of white vinegar in dispenser ...

How to get rid of mold with white vinegar?

  1. Step 1: Protect Yourself. Direct contact with mold can be dangerous, especially if any spores become airborne during the cleaning process. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply the Vinegar. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a Baking Soda Scrub. ...
  4. Step 4: Scrub Away Remaining Mold. ...
  5. Step 5: Finish with a Final Spray.

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