How to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda - make the most of these natural cleaning agents in 6 easy steps

When you want to clean your home, it can be easy to stock up on chemicals and branded products that claim to get the job done. But a lot of these products are full of nasties that just don’t need to be there. And when it comes to large appliances specifically, everyone should know how to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda to bypass those nasties completely.

As Laura Harnett, Founder of Seep, explains, ‘Washing machines are arguably the hardest-working appliance in the home. If there are children and pets in the family, then they will be used more frequently and a build-up of particles and dirt will end up resulting in a smelly washer.’ However, you don’t have to use any harsh chemicals to clean a washing machine and give it a new lease of life.

In most cases, cleaning with white vinegar and adding some bicarbonate of soda into the mix will be enough to get rid of the grime in your washing machine and even stop it from smelling. Intrigued? Follow this step-by-step guide..

What you'll need

Step-by-step

1. Start with the seal

When you want to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda, you may be inclined to focus all of your attention on the drum itself. But knowing how to clean the rubber seal on a washing machine is also key.

As Laura explains, ‘The seals are the one place where debris can linger causing mould to grow and is a key place for smells to start.’

You should aim to do this before you move on to the larger components of your washing machine, and all you need to do is spray a 1:4 ratio of vinegar and water into the seal before giving it a scrub with a toothbrush. Then, wipe it down with a clean cloth.

If you want to tackle tougher stains in the seal, you could also create a paste using baking soda and water and scrub that way. If you choose this option just make sure that you don’t put the baking soda away just yet.

2. Add baking soda to the drum

With the seal as clean as can be, you can then move onto the drum, which is where cleaning a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda really makes sense. But it’s important to note that you should never use vinegar and baking soda at the same time.

Although mixing these two together will result in an explosive chemical reaction that seems impressive, the two products actually cancel each other out. This essentially makes it useless - and you’ll just be wasting your natural cleaning products in the process.

Not only that, but Laura says, ‘When mixed together and left to solidify, they can create blockages in pipes. It means that when combined regularly, you could end up with plumbing issues.’

So, add 1-2 cups of baking soda to the machine first - either directly into the drum or the detergent drawer, depending on your preference and your washing machine.

3. Start a long hot wash cycle

The next step may seem like a waste of energy, but the cost to run a washing machine isn’t as high as you’d think - and it’s a necessary step to ensure your washing machine is free of grime and odour.

High temperatures are key here if you want to kill germs and bacteria. Aim for a long wash cycle that’s at least 60°C for the best results.

Don’t worry if it seems as though your washing machine lasts longer than it says on the screen, though, as it’s well-known that your washing machine lies to you. So, just wait until it beeps to move on to the next step.

4. Next, grab your white vinegar

When the baking soda cycle is finished, you can then grab your white vinegar and repeat the process - as long as you’ve chosen the correct type of vinegar for cleaning. In this instance, you’ll need white vinegar.

You should aim to add at least one to two cups of white vinegar to your washing machine, and once again, you can choose whether you want to add it to the drum itself or the detergent drawer.

However, we understand that the smell of white vinegar can be overwhelming, and it can often feel like it’s burning the hairs inside your nostrils. Because of this, you may want to buy a scented white vinegar or scent it yourself by adding a few drops of the essential oil of your choice.

5. Repeat the wash cycle

With the vinegar in place, you can then repeat the wash cycle - another hot, long wash. The acid of the white vinegar will serve as a natural disinfectant, removing any leftover dirt and grime that the baking soda left behind. It will also help to deodorise any lingering smells.

Just make sure to leave your washing machine door open after this cycle to give it the chance to dry out. If you don’t, you may ruin all of your hard work and contribute to mould build-up in your washing machine.

6. Tackle the smaller components

You should aim to repeat the above steps once a month or every two months at a push. But experts advise adding a deeper clean into the mix every three months, and you’ll need to tackle the smaller components to tick that off your cleaning calendar.

Laura advises you to focus your attention on the washing machine filter, the detergent drawer, and the exterior surfaces of the washing machine. You’ll need to make sure you don’t get sucked in by the TikTok trend of cleaning the washing machine paddles, though.

Thankfully, you can clean all of these washing machine parts with vinegar and baking soda - and it’s pretty easy to do.

Laura says, ‘Locate the filter and remove it. Soak the filter itself in a bucket of warm water with one part white vinegar. If you can reach the filter housing, then clean this area using a vinegar spray.’ She adds, ‘Soak the detergent drawer in hot water and one part vinegar to sterilise it.’

To finish, simply wipe down the exterior of the washing machine with the same vinegar spray and a clean cloth before putting everything back together.

FAQs

Is baking soda the same as bicarbonate of soda?

Yes, baking soda is the same as bicarbonate of soda. They are exactly the same alkaline powder, often used in cleaning and baking. And while the names are interchangeable around the world, it’s largely called baking soda in the U.S. and bicarbonate of soda everywhere else. However, people in the UK are increasingly calling it baking soda, too.

Can you use fairy liquid in a washing machine?

Although this cleaning product can be used to clean many things aside from your plates and cutlery, you should never use washing up liquid in a washing machine. Not only will it create way too many bubbles, but it won’t clean your clothes the way that other products will. So, you probably won’t get the desired results and ultimately waste your washing up liquid, water, and energy.

You shouldn’t use washing up liquid to clean a washing machine either, as it may damage internal components and clog up your drains.