[Michelle]

I absolutely loved adding vinegar to my loads of towels and especially blankets used by my dogs. It makes everything so fluffy and kills germs without any vinegar smell.
That being said, I think I may have killed my washer by using it!

It’s rusting very badly around the top and inside. Obviously vinegar is acidic. Has anyone else had this problem?

We’re having a new washer delivered today and would like to not kill it.

TIA!

[Karen]

I’ve been using vinegar in the rinse cycle for over 10 years in a machine that’s probably close to 20 years old.

I have an old Downey fabric softener ball that I put the vinegar into during the wash cycle.

Then during the rinse cycle the ball opens to release the vinegar. It’s probably less than 1/4 cup. It doesn’t take much.

The vinegar helps to get all the soap residue out of the clothes.

[Brenda]

In that case, it wasn’t the bleach or the vinegar causing the issue.

It was the soap dripping from above the washer.

If you can find that watch it and see if it helps you

[Lisa]

I’ve seen vinegar for cleaning, less acidic and not to be used for canning. Maybe that would help??

[Lisa]

I doubt it made it rust unless you were pouring it on the rim of the washer. It is moisture along with poor enamel process that allows this.

My Samsung has done the same thing starting about year 2.

I would try and mitigate the rust with removing it and sanding to metal and prime the area and spray paint it.

No bleach is not the cause of the rusting.

I have had many washers and this is the only washer that has ever rusted. Not even my old front loader was rusted any when it broke and I had it 10 years.

I had a Comercial GE which had a lot of bleach and vinegar run through it that ai eventually gave to my daughter.

A Roper that I sold to a friend and my mother had a Kenmore for 28 years.

Samsung is well aware of the problem and will not do anything about it.

Maybe Whirlpool will, so give them a call first.

[Jeannie]

That is the same washing machine that l have. I like the 2 in 1 with the option to remove the agitator for large, bulky loads.

[Melody]

It could just be where you live or the minerals in the water. Places that have high humidity rust out appliances faster.

[Vetta]

When are you adding the vinegar? I use it with my detergent and the rinse cycle rinses it off.

[Joan]

I have this washing machine. I’ve had it for two and a half years. A few weeks ago the run capacitor stopped working.

That’s the part that makes the washing machine agitate and spin. Luckily, it was still under warranty so it didn’t cost anything to fix.

That being said, if you can cancel this one and get a different one, do it. If not, make sure you get the extended warranty.

I have a feeling a warranty from Whirlpool is better than the one from the big box stores. I got the big store warranty.

The repair guy had to travel over an hour to my location. They had to order the part then come back and install it.

All in all, it took two weeks. This is the kicker: I live alone and, at max, do two or three loads of laundry a week. So, it broke even though I didn’t work it to death.

My last washer was installed in the 1990s. It lasted almost 30 years with no issues.

Don’t use vinegar or fabric softener. Get those dryer balls. They will help soften your laundry.

[Pam]

Dampness causes the rust not the vinegar. Keep the lid open when not in use

[Janna]

Vinegar is not recommended in washers or dishwashers. The will destroy the rubber gaskets.

And always leave the top open.

[Amy]

I’ve been using it for years and have never had an issue. I add it directly to the machine.

[Darla]

Vinegar can definitely remove the protective paint coating then eat away at the paint and metal.

In addition, not all coatings and paints are created equal.

[Jaded]

You might just want to soak the dog or pet stuff in a bucket for a few hrs and then dump it and then wash the stuff but I have heard vinegar isn’t good for machines.

I only use a tablespoon here and there for towels.

[Michelle]

I’ve read that it destroys rubber parts. I still use it but every other wash now.

[Terry]

I use Lysol laundry sanitizer… the best! doesn’t harm anything and cleans the machine too.

[Chanell]

I just read something that suggested putting the vinegar in the machine’s dispenser wasn’t the best method.

I looked at a few articles on laundry detox so not sure which had the info, but it was suggested to put the vinegar directly in the tub for best results.

[Alberta]

I asked my appliance man and he said vinegar wouldn’t hurt. I’ve used it for years in the rinse dispenser, I don’t use a lot.

[Author]

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