There is no vinegar-and-baking-soda cleaning recipe that is right for every washing machine. Check your washer’s model-specific use and care guide before putting either ingredient in the tub: LG UK describes using them in separate cycles, while Whirlpool warns that vinegar may damage washer components and does not recommend it for cleaning.
Can you clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda?
It depends on the washer and its manufacturer’s instructions. Whirlpool says vinegar’s acidity can damage components such as rubber seals and hoses over time, and recommends against using it as a washer-cleaning product. See Whirlpool’s guidance on cleaning a washer with vinegar.
LG UK, by contrast, describes a method using vinegar in one cycle followed by baking soda in a separate cycle. That regional recommendation is not a universal rule for other makes or models. Read LG UK’s washing-machine cleaning instructions in the context of its own guidance.
Samsung’s cited caution is narrower: it warns against detergents containing natural ingredients such as vinegar or baking soda. That statement should not be read as a blanket ban on every possible cleaning use of either ingredient. Check Samsung’s detergent guidance alongside the instructions for your specific washer.
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Check your washer’s manual before choosing a cleaner
Find the use and care guide for your exact model and look for its washer-cleaning or tub-cleaning directions. Whirlpool’s general advice is to consult the owner’s manual before cleaning; other products may be suitable only if the guide does not rule them out. The manual takes precedence over a recipe intended for a different washer.
If the guide does not permit vinegar or baking soda, do not use them in the machine. Do not assume that a hot cycle, a particular dose, or a soak time is suitable: use only the cleaner and cycle directions specified for your model.
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Clean the washer using a model-appropriate method
- Empty the washer. Remove laundry before running a cleaning cycle.
- Choose the cycle named in your manual. This may be called Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or something else. Use the cycle only as the guide directs.
- Add only an approved cleaner. Follow the manual and the cleaner’s label. If your guide specifies a particular product or amount, do not substitute a vinegar-and-baking-soda recipe.
- Follow any finishing instructions. If the guide calls for an additional rinse or another step after the cycle, complete it.
Washer-cleaner tablets are one option Whirlpool recommends, but check that your manual permits the product and follow its label. One Whirlpool owner’s manual, W10240440 Rev C, specifies an empty Clean Washer cycle once a month using an affresh washer-cleaner tablet or liquid chlorine bleach. That is an example for the washer covered by that manual—not directions for every Whirlpool model, much less every brand. See the Whirlpool W10240440 Rev C owner’s manual.
Wipe the drawer, gasket, and other accessible areas
Odor and residue can collect in areas around the tub as well as inside it. LG UK’s cleaning guidance identifies the detergent drawer, drain filter, drum, rubber seal, and exterior as areas to address. Whirlpool also advises wiping the gasket. Follow your model’s instructions for cleaning and removing parts.
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- TIME-RELEASE DEEP CLEAN. Affresh tablets are scientifically designed to deliver extended cleaning action throughout the wash cycle, helping power away bacteria, grime and soap scum deep inside the washing machine’s pump, drum and filter to help optimize performance.
- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
- ONE TABLET, ONCE A MONTH. Avoid the twice-monthly cleaning cycles of other appliance cleaners and cut your machine cleaning maintenance time in half.
- TRUSTED BY APPLIANCE EXPERTS. Backed by over 100 years of appliance innovation, affresh is the washing machine cleaner brand recommended by Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana.**
- Use a soft cloth on accessible surfaces, including the gasket and exterior.
- Remove and clean a drawer or filter only if the manual explains how. Do not force a drawer, cap, or other part that resists removal.
- Do not combine vinegar with bleach. LG UK explicitly warns against mixing them and advises thorough rinsing after bleach use.
Let the washer dry between loads
After cleaning, wipe accessible wet surfaces dry. When the washer is not in use, leave the door or lid open if the model’s instructions and the space allow it; airflow helps the interior dry. Whirlpool and LG UK both recommend leaving the door open after use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How often should you clean a washing machine?
Follow the interval in your own washer’s guide. Whirlpool suggests cleaning about monthly, every 30 cycles, or as needed; its W10240440 Rev C manual calls for the Clean Washer cycle once a month. These are manufacturer recommendations, not a single schedule that applies to every washer. If odor or visible residue appears, consult the guide for the appropriate cleaning steps rather than adding an unapproved ingredient.
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