Your washing machine works hard every week, removing dirt, sweat, grease, and stains from your clothes. But while your laundry comes out looking clean, the inside of your machine slowly collects detergent residue, limescale, mold, bacteria, and unpleasant odors.
Many people spend hundreds of dollars replacing a washing machine that simply needs a deep clean.
One of the easiest and most affordable cleaning tricks involves using ordinary white vinegar. Just one glass poured into the right place can help remove mineral buildup, dissolve soap scum, eliminate odors, and leave your washing machine feeling fresh again.
Important: The image also shows cola being poured into a washing machine. While this sometimes appears in viral social media posts, there is no good evidence that cola is an effective washing machine cleaner. White vinegar is a far more practical and widely recommended option for routine maintenance.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Washing Machines Get Dirty
Even though washing machines clean clothes, they don’t clean themselves.
Over time, the machine accumulates:
- Soap residue
- Fabric softener buildup
- Body oils
- Dirt
- Hard water minerals
- Mold spores
- Mildew
- Bacteria
These deposits hide inside:
- The drum
- Rubber door seal
- Detergent drawer
- Drain pump
- Hoses
- Internal pipes
Eventually they cause:
- Musty smells
- Clothes that don’t smell fresh
- Reduced cleaning performance
- Longer wash cycles
- Premature wear
Why White Vinegar Works
White vinegar contains acetic acid, a mild acid that helps dissolve:
- Limescale
- Mineral deposits
- Soap scum
- Hard water stains
It also helps neutralize many odor-causing residues inside the machine.
While vinegar is helpful for removing buildup, it is not a disinfectant for all germs and should not be considered a replacement for specialized washing machine cleaners when heavy contamination or mold is present.
What You’ll Need
- 1 glass (about 250 ml or 1 cup) of white vinegar
- Soft microfiber cloth
- Old toothbrush
- Warm water
Optional:
- Baking soda (for deodorizing)
- Commercial washing machine cleaner
Step 1: Empty the Washing Machine
Remove all clothing before cleaning.
A maintenance wash should always be performed with an empty drum.
Step 2: Pour the Vinegar Into the Drum
Simply pour one glass of white vinegar directly into the empty drum.
Do not dilute it.
Avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or other cleaning chemicals, as this can create hazardous gases.
Step 3: Run the Hottest Wash Cycle
Select the hottest cycle available.
The combination of:
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