It's essential to exercise caution when using cleaning agents, especially when mixing different chemicals together, as they can sometimes produce harmful gases or reactions.
In your case, you used vinegar and baking soda initially to clean the washer, which is generally considered safe, as they react to produce carbon dioxide and water. However, when you added bleach later, there could have been a potential risk of creating harmful fumes.
Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which can react with acids (like vinegar) or acidic products (like the residue of baking soda) to produce chlorine gas. Chlorine gas can be irritating to the respiratory system and can cause respiratory problems if inhaled in high concentrations.
The fact that you waited a week and did loads in between might have reduced the risk, as it allowed time for any residual vinegar or baking soda to neutralize or be washed away. Nonetheless, it's essential to be cautious when mixing cleaning agents, especially ones like bleach, and to always follow proper cleaning procedures recommended by the washer manufacturer.
If you are still concerned about any lingering fumes or odors in your washer, you should thoroughly ventilate the area, avoid mixing cleaning agents, and consider running a cycle with just water to rinse out any potential remnants of cleaning products. If you have any health concerns or experience unusual symptoms after using cleaning agents, it's best to seek medical advice. Additionally, for appliance maintenance and specific cleaning recommendations for your washer model, it's always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines or contact their customer support.