Chemical engineer: Baking soda and vinegar don't clean washing machines

In a world saturated with 'life hacks' and home remedies, it's easy to fall prey to widely circulated advice that, while well-intentioned, often lacks scientific backing. Such is the case with the popular notion that a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is the ultimate solution for cleaning one's washing machine. However, chemical engineer Diego Fernández is setting the record straight, dismantling this pervasive myth with clear, expert analysis.

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No. This doesn't work because baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other.

Fernández, who specializes in domestic maintenance, has taken to social media to explain why this seemingly effective concoction simply doesn't work. His core argument is rooted in basic chemistry: baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) react to neutralize each other. This chemical reaction, he explains, cancels out the individual cleaning properties of both substances, rendering the mixture ineffective for tackling the grime, limescale, and detergent residue that plague washing machine drums and components.

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It has the capacity to remove limescale or detergent residue.

Beyond debunking the baking soda and vinegar myth, Fernández offers a more practical and efficient alternative: citric acid. He elaborates that while vinegar alone can have some cleaning effect, the sheer quantity required makes it impractical for most households. Baking soda, on its own, is also insufficient for deep cleaning. Citric acid, on the other hand, possesses a stronger acidity that effectively combats limescale and dirt without the harshness of vinegar, making it a safer and more economical choice for maintaining the longevity and optimal performance of our essential laundry appliances. His advice provides a much-needed dose of reality to household cleaning routines.

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Vinegar by itself does work, but you would have to use two liters of industrial vinegar and, if it's kitchen vinegar, at least four liters.