Can Vinegar Damage Your Washing Machine?
Vinegar has become a popular ingredient to use when cleaning clothes and other household items. It is known to clean and remove stains, eliminate odors and is even used as a fabric softener. It is also very affordable and environmentally friendly. It can even be used to clean the kitchen sink and appliances. Vinegar is available in a variety of forms such as white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice wine, balsamic vinegar and more. Each of these variations has different properties, concentration, and flavor. However, distilled white vinegar has the lowest amount of acetic acid and is therefore considered safe for washing machines.
According to the experts at Australian consumer group CHOICE, vinegar can damage the rubber seals and hoses of your washer. This can lead to leakage, which is something no one wants. It is also important to keep in mind that if you are going to use vinegar to wash your laundry, it should be done very sparingly. Vinegar is a very strong acid and can cause significant damage to the rubber parts of your washing machine over time.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it is important to test any new ingredient you want to add to your washing machine before using it for a full load of laundry. You should do this by adding a small amount of vinegar to a bowl and letting it sit for an hour before using it in the machine. This is to make sure that the vinegar doesn’t cause any damage to your machine or your laundry.
If you do decide to use vinegar in your washing machine, be sure to use only distilled white vinegar. The other types of vinegar will not be safe for your machine and may cause damage. You should also not use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser, as this can damage the rubber hoses and seals that are essential to keeping your washer running properly.
Moreover, you should also avoid using vinegar on delicate fabrics such as wool or silk. This is because it can cause them to shrink and may irritate your skin. You should also not use vinegar on any clothing with buttons made from plastic or rubber, as this can deteriorate them over time and lead to their breakage.
If you are adamant about using vinegar in your laundry, you should only do so if you have a specialized fabric that cannot be washed with conventional detergents and is very delicate. Otherwise, it is safer for both your clothing and your washer to use regular laundry products. It is also a good idea to clean your washer’s basin regularly to prevent buildup of rust and grime. A diluted solution of vinegar and water can help to clean the rubber hoses and dispensers in your machine. You can also clean the gaskets and sprayers by wiping them down with a cloth dampened with distilled water. Lastly, it is important to use a deodorizer after your wash to get rid of any lingering smells.
