Baking soda can be used to clean the drum of a washing machine and remove built-up dirt and odours, according to the publication Slashgear, though it first needs to be confirmed that a particular machine's manufacturer allows the method.
Slashgear said some manufacturers explicitly forbid using baking soda or other home remedies on certain parts of a washing machine, and that this information is usually listed in the appliance's instruction manual. It advised following the manufacturer's guidance, warning that ignoring it could seriously damage the machine.
How to apply the method
If there is no such restriction, half a cup of baking soda should be poured directly into the drum, followed by running a wash cycle at the highest possible temperature. While the cycle runs, the baking soda works to remove unpleasant odours and dissolve the grime that builds up inside a washing machine after each use.
Once the cycle finishes, the door should be opened and the detergent and fabric softener tray removed, allowing the inside of the machine to dry out completely.
Why baking soda works
Slashgear's experts stopped short of calling baking soda the best possible cleaning agent for a washing machine, but said it can genuinely help keep the appliance clean. The effect comes down to its chemical properties: baking soda produces a mildly alkaline reaction that softens deposits and is effective against bad smells. It is also described as safe to use with most washing machine models.
A common ingredient in detergents too
Slashgear noted that some detergent manufacturers already include baking soda in their products to neutralise odours and soften water, and some recommend adding half a cup of it to the drum during a wash to boost the detergent's effect. Baking soda itself is not designed to clean clothes in a washing machine, a job left to gel or powder detergent, but it can be used as an added boost if a manufacturer does not object to it.
