What can I mix with vinegar to clean my washing machine?

Author: Allene Douglas  |  Last update: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Add 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser. Run the washer through a complete cycle. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum.

How do I deep clean 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.

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.

Can I use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Yes, you can mix white vinegar and laundry detergent. In fact, many people use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener and to help remove stubborn stains and odors from their laundry. To use white vinegar in your laundry, simply add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine.

How much baking soda and vinegar to clean a washing machine?

Add Baking Soda: Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Add Vinegar: Pour 1-2 cups of white vinegar into the drum or into the detergent dispenser. Run a Hot Cycle: Set the washing machine to run a hot water cycle. This helps to activate the cleaning properties of both the baking soda and vinegar.

How to Add Vinegar to Laundry

What is the ratio of vinegar and baking soda for cleaning?

You should use a ratio of 1:2 baking soda to vinegar. In other words, if you're using ½ cup of baking soda, use 1 cup of vinegar, or if you're using a cup of baking soda, use 2 cups of vinegar.

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.

Where to add vinegar to a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

What not to mix with laundry detergent?

Do not mix laundry detergent with household cleaners or ammonia. The mixture could release dangerous fumes and result in breathing problems.

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 household product to clean a washing machine?

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.

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.

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 clean a top load washing machine?

  1. Empty the Washing Machine. Before you begin cleaning your washer, you should first ensure that it is completely empty. ...
  2. Select Washer Settings. ...
  3. Create Cleaning Solution. ...
  4. Run a Full Wash Cycle. ...
  5. Clean Dispensers on Your Top Load Washer. ...
  6. Clean the Lint Filter. ...
  7. Run a Final Wash Cycle. ...
  8. Clean Top Load Washer Exterior.

How do I clean my washing machine with white vinegar and rubber?

Swing the washing machine door wide open and fully expose the rubber seal. Grab a cotton pad or ball, dip it in white vinegar, and put it to work. Wipe or scrub away any visible mould from the rubber.

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.

Is it bad to mix detergent and vinegar?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Can you use pine sol in a washing machine?

Can I use Pine-Sol® Cleaners in laundry? For extra cleaning and deodorizing power, add ¼ cup to your load along with regular detergent. Use only on white or colorfast fabrics.

Which cleans better, powder or liquid detergent?

Powerful cleaning agents that can be included in powdered detergent formulas, but not liquid forms, work to help remove mud, grass or clay stains. Liquid detergent is best used for grease or oil stains on your day to day items, because of its ability to help release and break down stains in fabrics.

How to clean a washing machine with white vinegar?

Did you know you can clean your washing machine with vinegar? White vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner that can help remove odours and clean your washing machine's drum. Simply add a cup of white vinegar to an empty cycle and run your machine on the hottest setting.

Can you mix vinegar and OxiClean?

6. Don't mix OxiClean with vinegar. Mixing OxiClean and vinegar is not safe. OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which forms peracetic acid when combined with vinegar.

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.

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.

How to use vinegar in laundry?

Add 1 cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water, add white clothing so it is fully submerged, and soak overnight. Run the clothing through the appropriate wash cycle with laundry detergent as usual. You can also add vinegar to the rinse cycle to help reduce detergent buildup that can dull clothes.

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