Grandma's Time-Tested Natural Hack: Deep Clean Your Washing Machine with Epsom Salt and Vinegar

Is your washing machine dirty and emitting odd smells? It's time for some TLC. This everyday workhorse cleans our laundry daily, yet we often neglect its own maintenance.

Soap scum, grime, mold, and bacteria build up in hard-to-reach spots, causing black marks and foul odors.

Fortunately, a thorough clean is straightforward and can be done naturally—no bleach required.

Grandma's go-to method relies on Epsom salt and white vinegar for sparkling results. Here's how:

Contents

• What you need
• How to do it
• Results
• Why it works

What you need

• 200g Epsom salt
• 250 ml white vinegar
• Hot water
• Clean cloth

How to do it

1. Fill the washing machine with hot water.
2. Add the Epsom salt and white vinegar.
3. Run an empty cycle for a few minutes.
4. Pause and let the solution soak for at least 2 hours.
5. Resume with a full rinse cycle.
6. Mix Epsom salt with water, soak a cloth, and wipe the drum, filter, and detergent drawer to tackle stubborn spots.
7. If needed, run an extra rinse cycle.
8. Repeat every two months for ongoing maintenance.

Results

There you have it! Your once-clogged, grimy machine is now spotless and fresh.

Quick, simple, and highly effective—no harsh chemicals like bleach or Calgon needed.

Regular upkeep ensures better hygiene, extends your machine's life, and saves money on replacements. This works for top-loaders and front-loaders from brands like Bosch, Miele, Whirlpool, Samsung, and more.

Why it works

White vinegar naturally combats mold and neutralizes odors by targeting bacteria.

Epsom salt acts as a gentle abrasive and antibacterial, dissolving detergent residues.

This eco-friendly deep clean suits all models, including Featured, Thomson, Siemens, Proline, Laden, Indesit, Ariston, Electrolux, Candy, Brandt, and Beko—whether top-loading or front-loading.