How to Use a Lemon and Toothpaste to Clean a Washing Machine

Time for a cleaning hack adventure!
Recently, I stumbled upon a quirky tip on Home Tricks that involved using lemon and toothpaste to clean a washing machine. Intrigued, I decided to give it a shot, despite the skeptical look from my husband. Someone has to try these crazy life hacks and see if they work, right?
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1. Prepare the Lemon and Toothpaste Mix
Begin by cutting a lemon and applying toothpaste to it.
Wondering why this odd combo? According to my quick Google search, lemons, with their citric acid, break down mineral deposits, while toothpaste, particularly the non-gel type, boasts mild abrasives and detergents, perfect for scrubbing away grime and stains.
2. Place the Lemon in the Washing Machine
Place the toothpaste-coated lemon halves in the washing machine drum.
3. Treat the Rubber Seal with Bicarb and Vinegar
Address the rubber seal by pouring bicarbonate of soda and adding vinegar, creating a powerful fizzing reaction that tackles hidden dirt.
4. Apply Toothpaste to the Inside Door
While unconventional, the hack suggests applying toothpaste on the inside door of the washing machine. I followed suit, although I am not optimistic about this step.
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5. Run a Hot Wash Cycle
Set your machine to run on a hot wash and extra rinse cycle. Let the lemon, toothpaste, bicarb, and vinegar concoction work its magic.
Tutorial: Lemon and Toothpaste to Clean Washing Machine
Once the cycle completes, open the door to reveal a shiny and clean washing machine. No toothpaste residue on the inner door and a surprisingly fresh outcome!
This is a fantastic addition to my list of chemical-free cleaning tips, providing a refreshing alternative to commercial detergents.
So, who among you is up for trying this quirky hack? Let me know how it worked.
Happy Cleaning!
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Comments
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Em 3 days ago
And yet another post that is just wrong. Leave you washer lid open overnight to dry out after you use it. A simple wet rag to run around the gasket area will do. You don not need to use vinegar, tooth paste is just wrong and lemons IF YOU WANT are so nonsensical. If you wanted the juice but not lemon with rinds on them. My current and last washer were a good 20 years old and they have no odor. The soap and water you use to wash your clothes with cleans the inside of the drum.
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Carol 2 days ago
I have used vinegar as a clothes softener for 20 years. Because it gets diluted in the wash/rinse cycle, I have never had any issues with gaskets or any parts for that matter. The side effect that comes from that other than soft clothes, my machine has never molded or smelled foul. So much better than using chemical softeners. Cost effective as well.
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
do you leave the lemon in while the washer runs?