How to clean a washing machine with vinegar in 5 simple steps

Finding the best cleaning supplies for your own space can be pretty overwhelming, and real talk — not every single product is necessary (I'm looking at you, washing machine cleaner). 

With a humble bottle of vinegar, you can actually clean basically every room and appliance in your home from the bathroom to the kitchen to the laundry room. Vinegar is a perfect natural solution to bleach in these scenarios if super-strong chemicals aren't really your thing.

Even though washing machines do the cleaning, they also need to be cleaned themselves at least twice a year. If your machine needs some TLC and you're looking for an easy and affordable method, this is exactly how to clean your washing machine with vinegar, step-by-step. 

Good to know

Time: About 5 hours. The exact timing will depend on your washing machine, but it'll be the length of two heavy and warm cycles. 

Difficulty: Easy

Helpful hints: Don't do this on laundry day! Since you're running your washing machine twice at its longest setting and hottest temperature, this could end up taking all day. Luckily, cleaning your washing machine with vinegar takes minimal hands-on work, but the appliance will be occupied for a good chunk of time.

Here's what you'll need

• White vinegar (we swear by Heinz's white vinegar from Amazon)
• Baking soda (our fave for cleaning is Arm & Hammer's, which you can get at Target)
• Spray bottle (optional, but if you have an empty one you haven't recycled yet, this is the perfect way to give it a new life!)
• Measuring cup
• Microfiber cleaning cloth (hello to Amazon Basics' cute set)
• Soft cleaning bush or toothbrush
• Bathroom spray or wipes (also optional, but I personally love Method's eucalyptus mint spray from Target and Clorox wipes from Walmart)

How to clean a washing machine with vinegar

Step 1: Clean the drum, rubber, and detergent dispenser 

Start by pouring some vinegar into your spray bottle (we're big fans of Heinz's large bottle). Then spray and scrub down every part of your washing machine's interior with your cloth and brush. Pay extra attention to the drum, the rubber seal around the door, and the detergent dispenser, as these are the main spots where you'll find a buildup of hair, dirt, trapped water, and old laundry detergent. If your dispenser can be removed, it's ideal to soak this in some warm water mixed with vinegar before cleaning it.

Tip: No spray bottle? You can also soak your cleaning cloth and dip your brush in vinegar and wipe the surfaces down that way instead.

Step 2: Add vinegar and run a warm cycle

Next, set your washing machine to its heaviest setting and highest water temperature. Start the cycle, and measure out and add a quart (4 cups) of vinegar to your machine.

For top-loading washing machines, you'll want to start the cycle first and add the vinegar while the water is filling up, and for front-loading models, pour the vinegar into the detergent dispenser to incorporate it into the warm water.

Step 3: Clean the exterior

If you're feeling extra motivated by your cleaning playlist while you're waiting for the washing machine's vinegar cycle to finish running, you can work on getting the outside of your machine sparkling. This can be done with the vinegar and spray bottle as well, but you can also use a nicer-smelling bathroom spray or cleaning wipes (which I personally do with the bathroom spray from Method and classic Clorox cleaning wipes from Walmart).

Step 4: Run a second cycle with baking soda

TBH, vinegar is an amazing natural cleaning solution to use all over your home, but the smell? Not a vibe. Neutralize any leftover vinegar scent by running a second washing machine cycle with the exact same settings as the first, but with one cup of baking soda this time. 

Step 5: Final wipe and leave the door open to air dry

Now that your washing machine is super clean and free of odors, you can give the door a final wipe-down with your cleaning cloth. To finish, you'll want to leave the door open to let any water left evaporate naturally. One of the top reasons a washing machine gets stinky is trapped water, which can be easily avoided by making sure you keep the door open after every load of laundry, too.

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