STOP USING VINEGAR TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE—HERE'S WHY

IS IT SAFE TO POUR VINEGAR IN A WASHING MACHINE?

No, you should not pour vinegar in your washing machine drum. The acidity can damage rubber seals, hoses and other components of your washer over time.

Instead, use a cleaner specifically designed for washing machines, like affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner, which is formulated to remove odor-causing residues and grime without harming your washing machine.

IS WHITE VINEGAR HARMFUL TO ALL WASHING MACHINE PARTS?

White vinegar isn’t harmful to all washing machine parts. You may be able to use it on some dispensers, doors and other external surfaces. However, it can damage rubber seals, hoses and internal components over time. 

Vinegar’s acidity, while useful on some surfaces, is too harsh for internal parts, especially rubber components, which can be common in washers.

HOW TO USE VINEGAR TO CLEAN A WASHING MACHINE

Using vinegar can be a natural way to clean certain exterior parts of your washing machine. While vinegar’s acidity is okay for specific surfaces, it’s important to avoid pouring it directly into the washer drum or running it through the cycle.

Here are some ways that you may be able to use vinegar to clean your washing machine:

• Dispenser drawers: Remove the detergent and fabric softener drawers and soak them in a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar. Scrub with a soft brush to remove buildup, then rinse and dry thoroughly before reinserting.

• Exterior surfaces: Wipe down the machine’s exterior with a cloth dampened in a vinegar-water solution. Follow up with a soft, dry cloth for a streak-free finish.

WHEN TO AVOID VINEGAR WHEN CLEANING A WASHING MACHINE

While vinegar is often touted as a natural cleaning agent, it can cause damage to certain parts of your washing machine. Here are the parts to avoid cleaning with vinegar and some alternative cleaning methods to consider:

• Drum and internal components: Avoid using vinegar in the washer drum, as it can degrade rubber seals and hoses. Instead, use a dedicated washing machine cleaner, like affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner, which is formulated to remove residue and grime  without damaging components.

• Rubber seals and hoses: Vinegar’s acidity can weaken these parts over time, especially in front load washers. To protect seals, stick with gentle, manufacturer-approved cleaners for regular maintenance.
  

TIPS FOR DEEP CLEANING A WASHING MACHINE

To help keep your washing machine fresh and running smoothly, clean it once every 30 wash cycles. Regular maintenance can help control detergent and soil buildup and can help prevent odors. Follow these steps for a thorough clean:

• Run a monthly Clean Washer with affresh^® cycle:  Use your machine’s Clean Washer Cycle once per month with a cleaner such as an affresh^® washing machine cleaner tablet. Select Maytag washers have a Clean Washer with affresh^® Cycle. This cycle helps thoroughly rinse out grime.

• Use chlorine bleach as an alternative: If you don’t have washing machine cleaner, add one cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the washer compartment (check your owner’s manual for compatibility as bleach should not be used in certain front load models.) This can provide a deep clean, especially for tough buildup.

• Clean the washer tub: Place a washing machine cleaner tablet directly in the empty washer tub, then start the cleaning cycle. For top load washers, follow with a rinse and spin cycle to clear any leftover residue. Leave the washer door open afterward to let the tub air dry.

• Wipe down the detergent dispensers: Pull out the dispenser drawer, wiping it down with a damp cloth and mild cleaner as needed. Dry it with a towel before reinserting. (Note: Many dispensers are not dishwasher safe. Check your user manual to be sure.)

• Clean around the door: Open the washer door and wipe down the glass or metal interior with a damp cloth. For front load models, wipe the rubber door seal, lifting the edge to clean the interior surfaces where grime can collect.

• Clean the washer exterior: Wipe the outside surfaces of the washer with a damp cloth and mild soap, avoiding any cleaners that could damage the finish.