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Should you clean your washing machine with vinegar?

While vinegar is frequently used in a variety of cleaning applications, when it comes to your washing machine, you may want to think twice. Over time, vinegar’s acidity can cause damage to washing machine components, particularly rubber seals and hoses.

Does that mean vinegar has no place in your laundry room? Not exactly. You can still use vinegar to pre-treat some clothing stains prior to washing. Vinegar is also a viable natural method for cleaning exterior parts of a washing machine. But adding vinegar directly to the washing machine drum can potentially lead to costly repairs or worse, permanent damage. Read on to learn more about the risks of using vinegar in your washing machine and ways to clean your washing machine safely.

Potential risks of using vinegar to clean a washing machine

While it has its uses, vinegar’s harsh acidity can be too intense for the internal parts of some appliances, such as the rubber components that are often found in washing machines. Improper usage can eventually end up leading to costly damages instead of a clean washing machine.

These are typically the primary areas of concern when it comes to cleaning a washing machine with vinegar:

Drum: The drum is where many of the more sensitive components of a washing machine are found, which can make the addition of vinegar directly to the drum of your appliance a possible issue.

Rubber seals: Rubber seals are one of the washing machine components that can be vulnerable to vinegar exposure, as the acidity can cause them to weaken over time.

Hoses: Much like rubber seals, your washing machine’s hoses can experience damage over time if exposed to vinegar’s acidity.

Ways you can clean your washing machine with vinegar

Although there are sensitive washing machine components that should not come into contact with vinegar, particularly the inside of the drum, there are some washer areas that are less susceptible to vinegar’s acidity.

Dispenser drawers: If you are able to remove the dispenser drawers and clean them separately, you can consider vinegar as an option. Remove the detergent and fabric softener drawers, and then soak them for an extended period in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. After that, scrub with a soft brush to clean off buildup, and then thoroughly rinse the drawers, dry them and reinsert them into the washing machine.
Exterior surfaces: The exterior of your washing machine is another area where vinegar is a possible choice. If using vinegar to clean a washing machine exterior, wipe it down with a cloth that has been dampened with a vinegar-water solution before drying with a soft cloth to help avoid any streaks.

Tip: Do not mix vinegar with bleach

While a solution of water and vinegar can be useful in certain applications, do not mix vinegar (or any acid, for that matter) with bleach. Combining the two creates chlorine gas, which can be toxic. While bleach can have potential uses in your laundry room, combining it with vinegar is not one of them.

The best way to clean your washing machine while using vinegar

While you should not use vinegar to clean your washing machine outside of a few specific applications, there are other options available to help give your washing machine a full, deep clean. Follow these steps to help maintain a clean washing machine without potential damage from vinegar:

Step 1: Clean washer with cleaner such as affresh^® tablets

After removing any items from the washer tub, add a cleaning product such as an affresh^® Washing Machine Cleaner tablet¹ to the bottom of the tub to help remove grime and other residues. If you don’t have cleaner tablets on hand, bleach may also be a possible option, but check your washer use and care guide first for proper use. Close the washer door or lid and select a normal, hot water cycle, and consider running a rinse cycle after to wash away any leftover cleanser. After finishing, leave the door open to let the tub dry out.

Step 2: Clean washing machine dispensers

If your washer has a dispenser drawer, consider cleaning it on a monthly basis. Pull the drawer out until you feel resistance (or remove it entirely if your unit allows). From there, use a cleaning wipe or cloth with an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the drawer, then dry it with a towel. For removable dispensers, you can also soak in hot water with a mild detergent before rinsing and drying.

Step 3: Clean the agitator

You can clean the washer’s agitator as part of the deep cleaning process. Not all washer models have agitators, and configurations vary. Some have a removable cap that allows you to clean inside with a cloth or scrub brush, but don’t force the cap if you feel resistance, and check your model-specific owners manual to be sure.

Whirlpool brand offers a washing machine with a 2 in 1 Removable Agitator, meaning you can remove it entirely for easy cleaning or to switch between impeller and agitator.

Step 4: Clean in and around the door

For top load washers, open the glass or metal lid and wipe down the inside with machine cleaning wipes. For front load washers, you can use the textured side of the wipe to clean the inside and outside. Alternatively, a damp cloth can be used in place of a cleaning wipe.

Step 5: Clean the outside

Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away any dirt, dust, detergent spills or other residues. If using a cleanser, make sure it is mild to avoid any unintended impact to the outside surface of the washing machine.

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Shop affresh^® Washing Machine Cleaner

Affresh^® Washing Machine Cleaner is designed to tackle odor-causing residues and grime within your machine. Offering extended cleaning power with time-release tablets, affresh^® Washing Machine Cleaner can be used for all washer types, including HE models.

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Tips for maintaining a clean washing machine

There are several steps you can take to help keep a washing machine clean in between deep cleanings. Follow these washing machine maintenance tips to help save yourself from additional cleaning in the long run.

Leave the door open: Keep the door open after a wash cycle. It helps improve airflow and allows for complete drying of the machine.
Empty quickly: Removing a clean load of laundry promptly after finishing a wash cycle can help keep it clean.
Check seals: Check the door seals often and wipe them down periodically to help prevent residue buildup.
Check the filter: The lint filter may be located in the agitator or near the top of your wash tub, depending on your model. Either way, keeping it clear can help make sure your washing machine continues to run properly.

Clean the drain: If you have a front load washer with access, it can be a good idea to periodically clean the drain pump filter. Check your owner’s manual to be sure.
Monitor the exterior: If you notice any dirt or buildup on the exterior of your washing machine, don’t wait to wipe it down.

Explore Whirlpool^® Washers and Dryers

Whirlpool^® Washers help you stay on top of your family’s laundry needs with both front load and top load models to suit your preference and style. Select smart laundry appliances put even more control at your fingertips, allowing for more freedom to spend time with family. Pair a washer with a Whirlpool^® Dryer and discover what the duo can do for your household.