Using Vinegar in Your Washing Machine: Cleaning and Laundry Boost

White vinegar stands out as a powerful ally for laundry day. It brightens colors and whites without harsh bleach, while also effortlessly cleaning your washing machine.

However, placing vinegar in the wrong spot might lead to ineffective cleaning when you meant to freshen your laundry, or vice versa. So, where exactly do you add vinegar in a washing machine?

Here, laundry and cleaning professionals share the best compartments for vinegar in your washing machine and the intended effects, ensuring you achieve the desired outcome.

Correct Placement for Vinegar in a Washing Machine

Using vinegar for cleaning is incredibly effective across numerous household cleaning tasks. However, using it in the wrong compartment may not yield the results you expect and could potentially harm your clothing.

When vinegar is placed incorrectly, it may not distribute properly throughout the wash, explains Karina Toner, a cleaning expert from Spekless Cleaning. This misplacement can hinder its effectiveness for both laundry and machine cleaning.

Moreover, if vinegar is added to the wrong compartment, it can damage fabrics during washes, warns Matthew Connelly, a laundry expert and CEO of ihateironing. 'When vinegar is placed in the fabric softener slot, the machine dilutes it to prevent harshness on clothes. Skipping this step and applying vinegar directly to garments could cause discoloration, particularly with delicate fabrics.'

Here's how to correctly use vinegar based on whether you're looking to clean your washing machine or boost your laundry.

Bestseller
Great Value Distilled White Vinegar, 128 fl oz

For cleaning purposes, distilled white vinegar is ideal. It contains 5% acidity, making it effective for tackling mold and breaking down mineral deposits without harming your appliances or skin.

Using Vinegar for Laundry

How you implement white vinegar in laundry depends on your washing machine type, according to Matthew Connelly.

For front-load washers: Vinegar is typically used as a replacement for fabric softener, so it should go in the fabric softener compartment.

For top-load washers: If you own a top-loader, add half a cup of vinegar into the dispenser during the rinse cycle. Allow the machine to complete the wash cycle for optimal results.

How to Use Vinegar for Machine Cleaning

To effectively clean your washing machine, placing vinegar in the correct area is crucial for a thorough clean and deodorization. Knowing the right amount of vinegar to use is also important.

Matthew Connelly notes that excessive vinegar can corrode plastic and rubber components in your machine, leading to long-term issues. 'For cleaning, we suggest about one cup, but avoid frequent use to prevent appliance damage.'

Regardless of your machine type, adding vinegar directly to the drum and running a hot cycle can eliminate soap residues and odors.

For enhanced odor removal, consider using baking soda alongside vinegar. Adding half a cup of baking soda to the drum with vinegar before the hot cycle creates an excellent DIY washing machine cleaner that targets tough odors. You can even include a few tablespoons of lemon juice for a refreshing scent.

Remember, placing vinegar directly in the drum skips cleaning the detergent drawer. To clean your detergent drawer, wait until the cycle finishes, remove the drawer, and spray it along with the housing with undiluted vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm soapy water and drying thoroughly.

XL bag

ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda
This large 10.8 lb resealable bag is convenient for both cleaning and cooking tasks.

Bestseller

Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
Dawn is renowned for effectively tackling grease while being gentle enough not to harm your dishes, detergent drawer, or fabric stains.

Bestseller

Great Value Lemon 100% Juice, 32 Fl Oz
Lemon juice may seem unusual for cleaning, but combined with baking soda and vinegar, it can neutralize the strong vinegar scent and leave your home smelling clean after use.

While vinegar effectively combats musty odors and removes black mold in washing machines, always leave your washing machine door ajar after each cycle to ensure proper air circulation. This practice helps prevent mold growth and musty odors, simplifying your cleaning process.