There’s a full-on debate about whether to use vinegar in your washing machine, so I called on the expertise of appliance and cleaning professionals to ask for their advice. And I’m not surprised that some people are scratching their heads over whether to use vinegar in their washing machines or not, because sometimes it's OK and sometimes it’s not.
Vinegar can be used in washing machines for several reasons, and in all instances, it serves as a cleaning aid. But the problem arises over how it is used, as there’s one instance where it’s not advised.
When it’s OK to use vinegar in your washing machine
“People like to use white vinegar in their laundry routines for a couple of reasons,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and CEO at AspenClean. “It’s a natural and inexpensive option to solve common problems such as removing odors, softening certain fabrics, treating light stains, or removing detergent residue from clothes or towels.”
But apart from being used as an add-on to your laundry detergent, it is also used in another way. “Many people also use vinegar to deep clean their washing machine in hopes of removing soap scum, bacteria, or mineral deposits,” says Sokolowski.
However, it’s when it’s used to deep clean your washing machine that it can cause damage; for this reason, vinegar should be used with caution.
Why you shouldn’t use vinegar to clean your washing machine
“People think vinegar cleans machines, but this is misguided. While it removes mineral buildup temporarily, it’s not designed for appliance maintenance,” says Matt O’Connor, co-founder and CEO at NoScrubs.
So why do cleaning and appliance experts advise against using vinegar to deep clean your washing machine?
“Vinegar is an acid (acetic acid),” says Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, “Frequently subjecting your washer to vinegar can result in progressive degeneration of the rubber seals and hoses, and other parts inside the washer, leading to leaks, compromised gaskets, and more wear and tear.”
What’s more, he explains, “The damage can happen more quickly in high-efficiency washers, which use less water, require the gaskets and seals to be much more precise, and have more delicate internal mechanisms.”
And Sokolowski adds, “With repeated vinegar exposure, internal metal parts, like bearings or the drum, can slowly corrode. On top of that, many manufacturers specifically advise against vinegar because it can shorten the machine’s life span and void your warranty.”
How to use vinegar safely
Although experts warn against using vinegar to deep clean your washing machine, it can be used to treat laundry, fight odors and stains, and soften fabrics.
However, understanding how it works helps determine the optimal time to add it to your wash.
In fact, Sokolowski advises against using vinegar alongside your laundry detergent because it can interfere with the detergent's ability to clean your laundry effectively. “Vinegar has an acidic nature, while most detergents are alkaline; therefore, mixing laundry detergent and vinegar cancels out the cleaning abilities of both. This mix can also create a soapy film on clothes or inside the drum.”
However, if you’d still like to use vinegar, either for odor control or fabric softening, she says, “It’s best to add it only during the rinse cycle, after the detergent has already done its job.”
And Dennis Godynuk, washing machine repair expert at Comfort Appliance Repair Nashville, agrees, and says, “Detergent is a base. Vinegar is an acid. Mix them and they cancel each other out. Your soap works worse, and you get more residue. If you use vinegar, keep it for the rinse, not the wash.”
How to deep clean your washing machine without vinegar
Rather than using vinegar to deep clean your washing machine, the expert recommends six other methods you can do yourself.
1. Run a maintenance cycle with an enzymatic cleaner
“The easiest way to clean out the drum of your washing machine is to run a maintenance wash cycle,” says Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General. “ A maintenance wash is essentially a deep-clean cycle that helps to kill off any bacteria, mold, and any stains or sludge that has built up. This is carried out by performing a very hot ‘cotton’ wash coupled with some washing machine cleaning solution.”
O’Connor suggests using a cleaner like Affresh or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, as they both contain purpose-built enzymatic formulas, which break down and digest organic stains and odors.
For the best results, run a maintenance wash once a month to keep your machine clean and your laundry fresh.
2. Run a bleach cycle
To rid your washing machine of mildew, Godynk recommends adding 1 cup of liquid bleach to your machine before running a hot cycle. We also recommend finishing with a normal cycle to clear the machine of any remaining bleach, and follow this method no more than once a month.
3. Add baking soda
Another method is to use baking soda to deep clean your washing machine. O'Connor recommends adding ½ cup of baking soda to the drum before running a hot cycle, followed by a plain, hot rinse.
4. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Sokolowski suggests pouring 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup of baking soda into the washing machine’s drum and running a hot water cycle. Then, run a normal rinse cycle. Use this method no more than once a month. In this instance, she says the hydrogen peroxide works as a sanitizer, and the baking soda serves as a deodorizer and also scrubs away the residue.
5. Try lemon juice
Sokolowski also suggests using lemon juice to dissolve mineral buildup in your washing machine, as it’s much gentler than vinegar. She recommends pouring 1-2 cups of lemon juice into the drum and running a hot water cycle.
6. Make a baking soda paste for seals and gaskets
While for cleaning the seals and gaskets, Sokolowski recommends making a paste with baking soda and water. Once mixed, apply the mixture to the seals and gaskets, and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Then, scrub the area clean with a microfiber cloth.
Warning
If using vinegar in your washing machine, Palmer-Smith advises using only white distilled vinegar, rather than balsamic, apple cider vinegar, or other types. Plus, never mix vinegar with bleach as it produces toxic chlorine gas.
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