Why Use Lemon Juice To Clean Your Washing Machine?
Let’s be real: your washing machine does a lot of hard work. Socks, dirty gym clothes, mysterious stains—it’s all there. Over time, residue buildup, detergent scum, and funky odors sneak inside, turning your once-pristine laundry-helper into a microbial playground. Enter lemon juice, nature’s citrus-powered cleaner, ready to tackle grime while smelling like a sunny orchard.
Lemon juice is a mild acid (citric acid, to be exact) with natural antibacterial, antifungal, and bleaching properties. It can help break down soap scum, limescale, and grease deposits inside your washing machine without the harsh chemicals of commercial cleaners. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly, inexpensive option you probably already have in the fridge.
Before you squeeze away, though, let’s talk about the all-important question:
How Much Lemon Juice Should You Use?
The magic number for cleaning your washing machine drum and internal components is 2 cups (about 475 ml) of lemon juice. That’s the recommended natural equivalent to the vinegar cycle a lot of folks swear by.
Simply pour these 2 cups directly into the drum of your washing machine and run a full hot water cycle. The acidity works to break down buildup, deodorize bad smells, and leave your machine fresh and spick-and-span.
For top-loading washing machines, it’s often best to let the drum fill about halfway with hot water before adding the lemon juice. Then run the cleaning cycle normally.source
Remember: this is for the washing machine itself, not the laundry. Using lemon juice in the drum during a cleaning cycle is what freshens and breaks down residue in your appliance.
Lemon Juice For Laundry: Different Purpose, Different Amounts
If your goal is to brighten your whites or soften clothes directly, lemon juice still shines—just in smaller doses:
- Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to your regular wash cycle for natural bleaching and fabric brightening.source
- For a fresh finish and to remove detergent residue, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice during the final rinse cycle. This step leaves clothes softer and lightly perfumed.source
But remember, these are laundry tips—not washing machine cleaning instructions. Do not confuse the two!
Safety Tips When Using Lemon Juice
Before you run wild with citrus acid, a couple of important caveats:
- Always check your washing machine’s manual to confirm it won’t be damaged by acid-based cleaners. Frequent exposure to lemon juice or vinegar might degrade some seals or hoses over time.
- Never mix lemon juice with bleach or other harsh chemicals. That’s a chemistry lesson you don’t want—mixing acids with bleach releases toxic chlorine gas.
- If your machine has visible mold or heavy buildup, you may want to combine lemon juice cleaning with other methods, such as baking soda or specialized washers cleaners.
- Run at least one rinse cycle after lemon juice cleaning to ensure no residue remains.
Following these tips will keep you safe and your washer happier than ever.
Step-by-Step Lemon Juice Washing Machine Clean
Ready to try it out? Here’s how to clean your washing machine with lemon juice, step by step:
- Run an empty wash cycle with hot water to loosen dirt and residue.
- Pour 2 cups (475 ml) of lemon juice directly into the drum (halfway full with water if you have a top-loader).
- Run a full wash cycle on the hottest setting available.
- After the cycle finishes, wipe the inside of the drum, the rubber door seal, and detergent compartments with a clean cloth to remove loosened grime.
- Run a rinse cycle if necessary to ensure all lemon juice residue is cleared.
- Leave the door open after cleaning to let the drum air dry and prevent mold growth.
Perform this lemon juice cleaning process every 1-3 months depending on your washing frequency and water hardness. It’s a natural way to extend your machine’s life and keep your laundry fresh.
Need Lemon Juice For Cleaning? Grab It Online
If you’re already convinced—why waste time squeezing actual lemons when bottled lemon juice works just fine? Save your fingers and grab a quality bottle from these affiliate links:
These bottles are perfect for multitasking your kitchen, laundry, and cleaning needs.
Related Washing Machine Tips
While you’re in cleaning mode, you might want to check on other washing machine questions popping in your brain:
- Wondering How Much Laundry Detergent To Put In Washing Machine? Too much detergent can cause buildup, so it ties into your cleaning routine.
- If you’re sizing up, see How Much Kg Washing Machine Do I Need? to choose wisely and not overwork your machine.
- After cleaning, consider occasional inspection of service costs with How Much Is Washing Machine Repairs Cost, so you can balance DIY care and professional help.
Room for other questions? Our site has plenty of info on washing machine prices, installation, and maintenance to keep you informed.
Final Fresh Thoughts
Lemon juice isn’t just for lemonade—it’s a powerhouse cleaning agent for your washing machine. Use about 2 cups of it in an empty hot cycle and enjoy a cleaner, fresher washer and better-smelling laundry. Plus, you get the bonus of avoiding harsh chemicals that could chip away at your machine’s delicate parts.
So squeeze the day, keep it natural, and stay fresh!