PMN's Profile

Maybe things have changed since I took Chemistry back in the 60s and 70s, but combining vinegar (acetic acid) with baking soda (sodium carbonate) produces an instant and vigorous chemical reaction that produces salt (sodium chloride), carbon dioxide (you know, that pesky greenhouse gas and is what is inside the fun little bubbles), and water. So, what is working here? Probably the action of the salt on detergent (they don't like each other).

If you have hard water, you will need more than vinegar to get rid of the scale buildup. CLR works well and doesn't mess up anything. Guesstimate the amount of water (you can also look in the owner's manual) in your washer tub and follow the instructions for mixing. It will require some math.

Whatever you do, DON'T combine chlorine bleach with baking soda thinking you are going to get the best of both worlds. This reaction will produce, among other things, chlorine gas, the main ingredient in mustard gas (you know, the stuff used in WW I).

Taking the back off most washer models is easy, but I wouldn't try to remove the individual components, unless you enjoy 3D puzzles. I also would not try to remove the agitator unless you have a full set of tools and the manufacturer's repair/service manual, as well as having any innocents out of the house due to the swearing this process causes.

By the way, the only time I have found socks inside is when they got caught in the pulley drive. I always figured that they crawled out of the washer when no one was looking and, like a butterfly, spun a cocoon and emerged as a wire coat hanger.

Good luck!