Cleaning a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda is a simple two-step routine that helps remove soap scum, mineral buildup, and odors. What you’ll need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- A clean cloth or sponge
- Optional: an old toothbrush for gaskets and dispensers
Steps
- Vinegar cleaning cycle
- Run a hot or longest cycle with no laundry, using a full cup (250 ml) of distilled white vinegar placed in the detergent dispenser or directly in the drum if your machine allows.
- Once the cycle completes, run a short rinse cycle to help flush out loosened residue. This helps neutralize odors and loosen buildup in hoses, gaskets, and the drum. Feel free to wipe down the drum and door seal with a cloth after the cycle.
- Baking soda refresh
- After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle about 1/2 cup (125 g) of baking soda directly into the drum.
- Run another hot cycle (longest possible) to help scour the interior and deodorize the drum. This second pass also helps remove any remaining grime and any faint vinegar scent. Let the machine complete, then wipe the interior surfaces dry with a clean cloth.
Additional tips
- Focus on problem areas: the rubber door seal, detergent dispenser, and the lint traps or filters. Use a damp cloth or a soft brush to dislodge any mold or residue in these spots.
- Leave the door or lid slightly ajar after cleaning to allow the drum to dry fully and prevent mold/mildew growth.
- If your unit has a self-clean or maintenance cycle, you can alternate or supplement with that feature following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For appliances with hard water buildup, you may notice better results with distilled vinegar rather than tap water, and ensure you use the hottest appropriate setting for the cycle to maximize cleaning effectiveness.
Safety notes
- Do not mix vinegar and bleach or other cleaners in the same cycle. Keep to vinegar for the first cycle and baking soda for the second, as described.
- If you notice persistent odor or mold in the gasket, run the vinegar cycle again or consider a dedicated gasket-cleaning step with a diluted bleach solution if your manufacturer permits it (check your manual).
If you’d like, I can tailor these steps to your machine type (front-load vs top-load) or pull a quick, model-specific guide.