Front-load machines are particularly prone to spore growth.

Here’s how to make DIY washing machine cleaner with everyday household ingredients that don’t need premixing.

Even in small amounts, the combination can produce toxic chlorine gas.

pouring vinegar inside of the washing machine

​The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Scrubbing the inside of a washer with baking soda paste and brush

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Materials needing to clean washing machines

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Making a DIY washing machine cleaner

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Pouring bleach into a top loading washer

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Adding distilled white vinegar and baking soda to the washing machine

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Pouring bleach into the dispenser of a front-loading washer

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Scrubbing the gasket of a front-loading washer with baking soda paste

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly