Using Dawn Dish Soap & Vinegar For Washer Machine

Washing machines can occasionally develop buildup, smell, or get dirty over time. A lot of folks search for home things to thoroughly clean. However, is it okay to use vinegar and Dawn dish soap in your washing machine? Let’s dissect it and look at some natural substitutes for a clean, fresh washer!

Dawn dish soap is a strong degreaser that effectively removes dirt and can be useful in a variety of cleaning situations. It can be a little challenging to use it straight in your washing machine, though.

This is the reason:

Overproduction of suds: Dish soap is made to produce a lot of bubbles and foam, which might overburden your washing machine. In contrast to low-sudsing laundry detergent, dish soap can produce too many suds, which could overflow and harm your washer.
Possible residue: Because dish soap isn’t designed for washing machines, it may leave behind deposits that are difficult to remove with water, particularly in high-efficiency (HE) machines.
Risk of damage: Regular use of dish soap may eventually clog the machine’s drain system or cause the drum to get damaged from the excess suds.

The bottom line? Do not put Dawn dish soap straight into the washing machine. It works best for spot-treating stains (such as oily shirt collars or cuffs) or handwashing small loads.

How About Vinegar?

Another common household cleanser that people frequently use to deodorize and descale is vinegar. There’s a catch, though!

Washing machine vinegar:

Power to deodorize: Since vinegar is a natural deodorizer, it can help get rid of stale or mildew odors in your washing machine.
Descaling effect: It can also aid in the removal of mild soap scum and mineral deposits, such as limescale.
Possible harm: Overuse of vinegar will eventually deteriorate your washer’s hoses and rubber seals. Leaks and expensive repairs could result from this.

How to use vinegar safely: To add freshness to your machine, run an empty cycle with 1–2 cups of distilled white vinegar. To avoid long-term harm, do this no more than once each month.

Why Dawn and Vinegar Don’t Make the Greatest Combination

For household cleaning, you may have heard about combining Dawn dish soap with vinegar. Although it is effective at removing soap scum from showers, it is not advised for use in washing machines.

This is the reason:

Excessive foaming: The Dawn’s bubbles and vinegar can make your washer appear extremely sudsy.
Not made for washing machines: The vinegar in this mixture may weaken the seals, and it isn’t made for the washer’s mechanical components.

The Greatest Natural Substitutes to Maintain the Freshness of Your Washing Machine

Consider using these natural cleaning techniques, which are safe for the washing machine and effective in removing odors and deposits, in place of Dawn and vinegar.

1. Baking Soda

Helps remove residue and deodorizes.
To use: Run a hot water cycle after adding ½ cup of baking soda straight into the drum. It is natural, mild, and doesn’t leave any unpleasant leftovers.

2. Acid Citric

Superstar descaling: Citric acid does wonders for eliminating hard water accumulation.
To use: Fill the drum with 1–2 tablespoons of powdered citric acid and run a hot cycle. Limescale can be broken down by it, and your washer will smell better.

3. Peroxide of hydrogen

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that also brightens and sanitizes.
How to apply: To get rid of mold and germs, add one cup of hydrogen peroxide to the drum and run a hot water cycle.

4. Cleaners of Enzymes

Natural enzyme power: To break down organic buildup, these cleansers employ enzymes derived from plants.
How to use: Run an empty cycle for a complete clean, and adhere to the product’s directions (usually located in the natural cleaning sections).

How to Maintain the Freshness of Your Washer Every Day

Keep the door open: To avoid mold and mildew, allow the drum to air out after every wash.
Clean the seal: The rubber door seal is a breeding ground for mold, so wipe it off with a moist cloth on a regular basis.
Make use of the appropriate detergent: Select a natural, HE-friendly detergent to lessen buildup and residue.
Monthly cleaning cycle: Use a natural alternative for cleaning during one hot water cycle every month.

Although it can seem like a quick remedy, using Dawn dish soap and vinegar in your washing machine isn’t the best option in the long run. These common home items should not be washed in your washer owing to excessive suds, residue, and possible seal damage.

To keep your washing machine clean and fresh, use natural substitutes like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and citric acid. These mild yet efficient techniques will give you a washer that is prepared to handle load after load of washing without having to worry about foamy mishaps!