How to clean your washing machine without chemicals

We are doing a ‘Spring Summer clean’ at our place and so I decided to find how to clean my washing machine – naturally, without all the chemicals.

What you need:

Vinegar and baking soda

Method:

Fill a spray bottle with a solution of half white vinegar, half water.
Spray the inside of the washing machine, don’t forget to spray inside the detergent dispenser and rubber seals where mould forms.
Wipe the surfaces with a cloth or brush.
If there is still mould, sprinkle baking soda on it and leave it for a while, then wipe down with vinegar.
Add 2 cups of vinegar and run washing machine on a hot wash cycle.
You can also clean the outside of the washing machine with the water/vinegar solution to get it sparkling.

I tried it today and it works really well, try it out yourself and let me know how you go. Please add your comment below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

19 Comments

- - Melissa89 said
  - 27 Jul 2016
    7:52 pm
Ours is only 2 months old but great tip for when its time for a clean

- - june11 said
  - 02 Jul 2016
    8:51 pm
I have never had mould in my washing machine, neither did my parents.
Maybe leaving the lid up until the inside of the machine dries has more merit than we have given it credit for. I often partly dry the inside of my washing machine with a dry clean cloth.

- - always mum said
  - 18 Apr 2016
    7:17 pm
I’ve been using bicarbonate and vinegar for years now. Very useful but have you noticed the price of vinegar going up? Especially the one labelled ‘ for laundry use’.

- - cherz said
  - 09 Apr 2016
    7:52 pm
I do this quite regularly..also use Epsom salts from time to time as well.

- - mom156049 said
  - 28 Mar 2016
    8:27 pm
Again, bicarb is fantastic for any type of cleaning. A friend showed me a book on 101 uses for bicarb – so many everyday things from cleaning to medicinal etc that bicarb seems to be the mcgyver of hehe

- - tessie said
  - 07 Mar 2016
    12:56 pm
Who would believe that vinegar was so versatile. I now have a brand new washing machine thanks to your tips

- - Lizbef said
  - 04 Mar 2016
    11:11 pm
This is exactly what I do too… Every once in a while

- - mom90511 said
  - 04 Mar 2016
    3:50 pm
Great advice and something I was wondering about!!!

- - BellaB said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    4:08 pm
It’s never occurred to me to clean the inside of my machine.

- - mom93821 said
  - 26 Feb 2016
    5:23 am
I do like a clean washing machine and it is so easy to clean – thanks for your tips!

- - june11 said
  - 25 Feb 2016
    10:02 pm
You need to make sure none of the soda residue is left in or on your machine – especially on metal.

- - mum4107 said
  - 25 Feb 2016
    5:30 am
This is exactly how I clean my washing machine. Works fantastic

- - mom160421 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    10:18 pm
I have cleaned my washing machine with vinegar in the past but haven’t done it for a while. This is a good reminder.

- - curlytops said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    8:00 pm
I’ve never cleaned my washing machine apart from the bit where the softer goes as for some reason that clogs up!

- - Nas01 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    6:42 pm
I’m definetly going to try this. My washing machine is way over due for a clean.

- - mom90758 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    6:02 pm
Yes, I regularly clean my washing machine with white vinegar. The hot cycle can also be a short one in my idea.

- - mom165081 said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    4:46 pm
Vinegar has so many amazing uses. I hadn’t realised how dirty my washing machine was until we had house guests! Better use your tips!

- - KrysGrace said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    4:36 pm
Vinegar is such a low cost versatile product. It’s brilliant!
- mom93821 replied
  
  27 Feb 2016 , 6:07 am
  It is one of the best cleaning products for the house!