how to clean washing machine with vinegar and baking soda

Among all the other washing machine cleaner ideas, the best way to clean a washing machine is through distilled vinegar and baking soda. Is DIY cleaning a washing machine your style? Yes? Then go for our advice. You can’t go wrong with white vinegar and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). It is an effective cleaning method to say goodbye to all those washing machine smells and the dirt from the washing machine filter. In this blog, we will show you how this combination makes an effective washing machine cleaner for almost any appliance. 

Cleaning A Washing Machine Checklist: Things You’ll Need

Did you know you could clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda? Shocker right? We know. The explosive element created after mixing both of them is what removes hard water deposits, dirt and grime. 

Here’s the checklist of what you will need for a dirty and smelly washing machine: 

• White/distilled vinegar 

• Baking soda 

• Fresh water (optional) 

• Lemon juice (optional) 

Best Way to Clean a Washing Machine: Vinegar and Baking Soda

Do you know what makes vinegar a good cleaner? Well, the antibacterial characteristics of vinegar make it an effective cleaning solution for almost every appliance. But it is important to always use plain white or distilled vinegar inside your washing machine. Don’t use any other vinegar. 

However, there are two types of washing machines. Let’s discuss how they differ from each other. Then we will discuss the cleaning method for each. 

Here’s a complete guide on how to use a vinegar and baking soda combo to clean a washing machine.

Type 1: Cleaning The Front Loader—Eradicate the Persistent Dirty Look

To get the most effective cleaning results for your front loader, don’t mix the two valuable ingredients, but instead add them directly to the basket, where they’re needed the most. The quantity should be: 

• 2 cups of vinegar in the detergent dispenser

• Half a cup of baking soda to the softener dispenser. 

• 2 cups of vinegar directly into the drum of the machine. 

After adding these elements, mix enough hot water with half a cup of baking soda to make a loose paste and put it into the detergent dispenser. Now start the long, hot wash cycle. 

Type 2: Cleaning The Top Loader—Let The Anti-Bacterial Vinegar Work

Here’s the main difference: top loaders don’t have detergent drawers. This is the reason why we are discussing both types separately. In top loaders, you’ll have to combine the vinegar and baking soda inside the drum. The quantity should be: 

• 4 cups of vinegar 

• 1 cup of baking soda 

• Hot water (as per need)

In this process, first add 1 cup of baking soda and hot water to the drum. Let the agitator mix them for at least 15 minutes until it has completely dissolved. Then, add 4 cups of vinegar into it and allow the mixture to sit for half an hour before finally resuming the cycle. 

Conclusion

Hence, in a nutshell, for a clean washing machine, the best way to clean a washing machine is a combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, and some hot water. This dynamite mixture will remove all the dirt and even the annoying grime and persistent smells. So, whether you have a front loader machine or a top loader machine, in this guide, we’ve covered both for your convenience and better understanding.