How to Effectively Clean a Washing Machine with Citric Acid and Natural Products
How to Effectively Clean Your Washing Machine with Citric Acid, Baking Soda, and Vinegar – A Natural Path to a Hygienic Home
We usually perceive household appliances as our reliable helpers that we can count on every day. Among them, the washing machine holds a special place – it washes clothes, absorbs dirt, and removes odors. But what happens inside it? Clogged pipes, limescale build-up, detergent residues, and mold in the door are realities that cannot be overlooked. Regular cleaning of the washing machine with citric acid, vinegar, or baking soda is not only an ecological but also a very effective way to keep the appliance in perfect condition.
Chemical cleaners may promise instant results, but they often come with a burden on the environment and our health. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives that are just as effective – and often cheaper and gentler. Citric acid, vinegar, and baking soda are among the most used natural cleaners in the household. They can handle limescale, odors, and residues, and their combination can be literally miraculous.
Why is regular cleaning of the washing machine important?
No household can avoid using a washing machine, yet its internal maintenance is often overlooked. Over time, detergent residues, fabric softener, fibers from clothes, and grease accumulate in it. These impurities can create an ideal environment for bacteria and mold growth, which can then get back onto your clothes. Additionally, limescale from hard water can gradually clog the heating element and increase the energy consumption of washing.
According to some studies, dozens of different types of bacteria, including pathogenic ones like E. coli, can be found in a common household washing machine. This is another reason why regular cleaning of the washing machine with citric acid or other natural agents should be part of every cleaning ritual.
Citric Acid – The Quiet Hero of Natural Cleaning
Citric acid is a grateful and versatile helper in the household. It is a natural acid found in citrus fruits and is characterized by strong cleaning properties. In the washing machine, it effectively dissolves limescale, neutralizes odors, and handles residues. Cleaning the washing machine with citric acid is simple but delivers visible results.
How to do it? Just pour about 100–150 grams of citric acid directly into the drum of the washing machine and run a 60 °C cycle without laundry. The amount can slightly vary depending on the level of dirt and water hardness, but this dose is considered optimal. The result will be not only a clean drum but also a fresher smell and removal of deposits that regular washing does not rinse away.
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Combination of Citric Acid and Baking Soda – Double Power Against Dirt
While citric acid deals with mineral deposits and limescale, baking soda is a great odor absorber and mild abrasive. Cleaning the washing machine with soda and citric acid is thus an ideal combination that ensures not only a more hygienic environment inside the appliance but also extends its lifespan.
In this process, it is recommended to first pour baking soda – about one cup – into the detergent dispenser. Then add about 100 grams of citric acid to the drum and start a washing cycle at 60 to 90 °C without laundry. This creates a mild chemical reaction that helps remove even more resistant dirt. The advantage is that this method does not damage the seals or metal parts of the washing machine, as can be the case with some chemical cleaners.
One user on an ecological forum described how, after years of neglecting washing machine cleaning, she started regularly using the combination of soda and citric acid. Not only did the musty smell from the washing machine disappear, but she also noticed that the laundry was indeed fresher and softer – even without using fabric softener.
Vinegar and Citric Acid – Allies or Rivals?
Some people are concerned about the combination of vinegar and citric acid because of their acidic pH, but in reality, they complement each other beautifully. Vinegar is a strong natural disinfectant, while citric acid is effective against limescale. Together they create a comprehensive cleaning cocktail, perfect for deep cleaning the washing machine.
Usage is simple – pour 100 grams of citric acid into the washing machine drum and about 200 ml of regular white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser. Choose a washing cycle with a higher temperature and let the machine run empty. This method allows both substances to reach different parts of the machine, where they act according to their specialization – citric acid on mineral deposits, vinegar on bacteria and odors.
Some readers might ask: isn’t it unnecessary to combine two acids? The answer is: no, if used correctly. It is important to dose them separately and let them act in different phases of the cycle. This way, their power can be fully utilized without the risk of an overly aggressive chemical reaction.
How often should you clean the washing machine with natural agents?
The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you wash and how hard your water is at home. In general, it is recommended to perform a deep clean of the washing machine once a month, especially if you wash frequently or use ecological detergents, which can leave fine residues. Regular cleaning also helps prevent odors, which often signal the presence of mold or bacteria inside the drum.
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For regular maintenance, simply use one of the above methods each month. They can also be alternated – for example, use cleaning the washing machine with citric acid and soda one month, and the vinegar combination the next. This will avoid the material getting used to one substance and approach the cleanliness of the washing machine comprehensively.
If the washing machine hasn't been cleaned for a long time or is significantly dirty, it is possible to repeat the process twice within one week – once with citric acid and the second time with a combination of soda or vinegar.
A Natural Path Not Just for the Washing Machine, But Also for the Planet
Using natural cleaning agents in the household is not just a matter of effectiveness. It is also an expression of attitude – towards oneself, the home, and the planet. Every person who decides to skip chemical products and replace them with baking soda, vinegar, and citric acid contributes to reducing the chemical load in watercourses and supports sustainable household maintenance methods.
There are also other eco-friendly tips to keep the washing machine functional longer: leave the door open after washing, regularly clean the door seal, use natural water softeners, or limit the amount of detergent. Every small step counts.
"The biggest change you can make is the one you repeat," says well-known environmental activist Rob Greenfield. And in the case of household maintenance, this is doubly true.
The washing machine is a reflection of our approach to hygiene and cleanliness. It is a device that deserves the same care we give to the clothes we put in it. And when this care can be carried out naturally, cheaply, and without harmful side effects, why not try it?
