Table of content:
White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Lemon Juice and Hot Water
Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
Borax Powder and Hot Water
Discover effective and affordable ways to keep your washing machine fresh and clean with these DIY cleaning methods. This guide covers simple, natural solutions using common household ingredients such as white vinegar and baking soda, lemon juice and hot water, hydrogen peroxide and water, and borax powder with hot water. Each method provides a step-by-step overview to help you remove odors, eliminate buildup, and maintain your washing machine’s performance without harsh chemicals. Whether you’re looking for a quick refresh or a deep clean, these easy-to-follow techniques will ensure your appliance stays in top condition.
Reviewed by Zac Kieffer
President at E-Cloth
Updated July, 20
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White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda inside the washing machine drum. Pour white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle with no laundry inside. This natural combination helps dissolve buildup, neutralize odors, and leave your washing machine fresh and clean.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine with White Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need plain white vinegar (not apple cider or cleaning vinegar), baking soda, a microfiber cloth, and an old toothbrush. No fancy stuff—just the basics.
- Wipe down the rubber gasket and door: If you have a front-loader, the rubber gasket (that’s the flexible ring around the door) is a magnet for grime and buildup. Dip your cloth in a mix of equal parts vinegar and water, then wipe the gasket, door, and any visible crevices. Use the toothbrush for stubborn spots. For top-loaders, focus on the lid and rim.
- Clean the detergent drawer: Pull out the detergent drawer (it usually slides right out, but check your manual if it’s stubborn). Soak it in hot water with a splash of vinegar, then scrub away any residue with your toothbrush. Dry and pop it back in.
- Run a hot cycle with vinegar: Pour two cups of white vinegar directly into the drum (not the detergent compartment). Run the machine on the hottest, longest cycle available. This helps loosen buildup and freshen up the drum. Don’t add clothes or detergent—this is a solo mission for your washer.
- Add baking soda for a second cycle: Once the vinegar cycle is done, sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run another hot, long cycle. Baking soda helps with odors and can gently scrub away residue left behind by detergent and fabric softener.
- Wipe everything down: When the second cycle finishes, grab your microfiber cloth and wipe the inside of the drum, the door, and any other surfaces you can reach. This picks up any loosened grime and leaves things looking (and smelling) fresh.
- Leave the door open to dry: After cleaning, prop the door open for a few hours. This helps prevent musty smells and keeps moisture from hanging around where it shouldn’t.
- Repeat monthly: For best results, give your washing machine this treatment about once a month. If you notice funky smells or see visible buildup, don’t wait—give it a quick refresh.
- Pro tip: If you have a HE (high-efficiency) washer, use a little less vinegar and baking soda, since these machines use less water. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions before using any cleaning method, just to be sure you’re not voiding a warranty or causing issues.
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Residue Buildup Risk
Using white vinegar and baking soda together can cause residue buildup inside the washing machine, as the mixture may not fully dissolve or rinse away, potentially leading to clogs, unpleasant odors, or reduced cleaning efficiency over time.
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E-Cloth is committed to delivering a clean you can see—effortlessly erasing messes with just water for a spotless shine, free of streaks and added chemicals.
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Lemon Juice and Hot Water
Mix equal parts lemon juice and hot water. Pour the mixture into the washing machine drum and run a hot wash cycle without any laundry. The natural acidity of lemon juice helps dissolve limescale, remove odors, and leave your washing machine fresh and clean.
Lemon Juice and Hot Water for Washing Machine Cleaning: A Straightforward Guide
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need about 1/2 cup of lemon juice (fresh or bottled), a clean cloth, and access to hot water. No need for anything fancy—just the basics.
- Wipe down the rubber gasket and door: Dip your cloth in lemon juice and give the rubber seal (that’s the flexible ring around the door) a good wipe. This area is notorious for collecting grime and buildup. Don’t forget the inside of the door, too.
- Pour lemon juice into the drum: Add the rest of your lemon juice directly into the empty drum. This helps with surface-level buildup and leaves a fresh scent behind.
- Run a hot water cycle: Set your washing machine to the hottest, longest cycle available. Let it run empty—no laundry, just the lemon juice and hot water. This helps loosen up residue and flush it away.
- Check the detergent drawer: If your machine has a removable detergent drawer, take it out and soak it in hot water with a splash of lemon juice. Scrub away any visible buildup with a brush or cloth, then rinse and replace.
- Wipe down after the cycle: Once the cycle finishes, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe out any remaining moisture from the drum, gasket, and door. This helps prevent future buildup and keeps things smelling fresh.
- Leave the door open: After cleaning, prop the door open for a few hours. This allows the inside to dry out and helps keep musty odors at bay.
- What’s happening here? Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help break down some mineral deposits and residue. The hot water helps dissolve and flush away loosened grime. This method is straightforward and uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- What is a gasket? That’s the rubber ring around the door of your front-loading washing machine. It’s a common spot for buildup, so don’t skip it.
- Why wipe after? Even after a cleaning cycle, moisture can linger. Wiping it out helps keep things fresh and discourages buildup.
Ineffective Mold Removal
Lemon juice and hot water are not strong enough to kill mold spores or remove deep mold buildup in washing machines, leading to ineffective cleaning and potential mold regrowth.
Streak-Free Wherever You Need It
E-Cloth is committed to delivering a clean you can see—effortlessly erasing messes with just water for a spotless shine, free of streaks and added chemicals.
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Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution inside the washing machine drum and on seals. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe with a clean cloth. This method disinfects and removes odors naturally.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine with Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind you find at most drugstores), water, a clean microfiber cloth, and a spray bottle. If you have a front-loader, grab an old toothbrush too.
- Mix your solution: Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in your spray bottle. This dilution is strong enough for cleaning, but not so strong that it’ll bleach your clothes or leave a harsh smell behind.
- Wipe down the exterior: Spray the outside of your washing machine and wipe it down with your microfiber cloth. Pay extra attention to the control panel, door, and any handles—these spots collect fingerprints and detergent drips.
- Clean the detergent drawer: Pull out the detergent drawer (most slide right out, but check your manual if it’s stubborn). Spray it with your solution, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub away any buildup with your cloth or toothbrush. Rinse and dry before sliding it back in.
- Target the rubber gasket (front-loaders): The rubber seal around the door is a magnet for grime and leftover detergent. Spray it well, let the solution sit for 5–10 minutes, then wipe away any residue. Use your toothbrush for any stubborn spots or hidden crevices.
- Run a cleaning cycle: Pour about 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide directly into the empty drum. Set your machine to the hottest, longest cycle available. This helps rinse away buildup and leaves the drum looking fresher.
- Wipe the drum and door: Once the cycle finishes, open the door and let the inside air out. Wipe down the drum and the inside of the door with your microfiber cloth to catch any leftover moisture or residue.
- Keep it fresh: Leave the door open for a while after cleaning. This helps prevent musty smells and lets everything dry out completely.
Hidden Component Contamination
Hydrogen peroxide may not reach or clean hidden parts inside the washing machine, allowing mold, bacteria, or residue to remain and cause ongoing contamination or odors despite surface cleaning.
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Borax Powder and Hot Water
Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax powder in 1 quart of hot water. Pour the solution into the washing machine drum, run a hot wash cycle without laundry, and wipe down the interior afterward. This method helps remove residue, odors, and buildup naturally.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine with Borax Powder and Hot Water
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need borax powder (a laundry booster found in the cleaning aisle), hot water, and a clean cloth or sponge. If you have a front-loader, keep a small brush handy for the rubber gasket.
- Empty the washing machine: Make sure there are no clothes or laundry items inside. This method is for cleaning the machine itself, not your laundry.
- Add borax powder: Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of borax powder directly into the drum of your washing machine. Borax is a mineral-based powder that helps break down grime and residue, especially in hard-to-reach spots.
- Set your machine to the hottest, longest cycle: Hot water helps dissolve the borax and loosen up any build-up inside the drum and hoses. If your machine has a “clean washer” or “tub clean” cycle, use that.
- Start the cycle and let it run: Allow the machine to complete the full cycle. The combination of hot water and borax will help loosen and wash away detergent residue, mineral deposits, and general gunk that can build up over time.
- Wipe down the inside: Once the cycle is done, use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe the inside of the drum, the door, and the rubber gasket (especially on front-loaders). This helps remove any loosened grime that didn’t get rinsed away.
- Leave the door open to air dry: This helps prevent musty smells and lets any remaining moisture evaporate.
- Pro tip: If you notice a stubborn spot or residue, dip your cloth in a little hot water mixed with borax and scrub gently. For the detergent drawer, remove it (if possible) and soak it in hot water with a spoonful of borax, then scrub and rinse.
Limited Deep Reach
This method may not effectively clean all internal parts of the washing machine, as borax and hot water might not reach deep or hidden areas where residue and buildup accumulate, leading to incomplete cleaning and persistent odors.
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