During prolonged use of the washing machine, its drum can become significantly dirty, which in turn affects not only the laundry. An unpleasant odor may emanate from the drum, which is caused by mold growing on its walls. People faced with this problem have a question: how to clean the washing machine drum from dirt without harming the machine itself? Let's talk about this in detail within the framework of this article.
The main reasons for dirt getting into the car
Dirt and foreign objects get into the drum and related parts of the washing machine different ways. Most often with dirty laundry or poor quality water. The most destructive effect is caused by scale; its deposits can appear over time on the walls of the drum. This alarm signal, because removing scale from a drum is not difficult, but you need to take into account that the same deposit will be on the inner walls of the drum and on the heating element.
Important! Limescale can lead to failure of the heating element and destruction of the moving parts of the washing machine.
The main cause of scale deposits in the machine is water containing metal salts, the so-called “hard water”. Special compounds that are added along with the powder before each wash (for example, Calgon or Alfagon) will help soften low-quality water; however, experts do not recommend using them, as it turned out that chemical substances, contained in their composition, harm some parts of the machine. It is better to use special flow filters that will improve the composition of the inlet water.
Along with dirty laundry, sand, other solid particles, threads, lint, as well as foreign objects from pockets (changes, paper clips, pins, etc.) can get into the drum and tank of the machine. A deposit of grease and dirt can settle on the walls of the drum, forming fertile ground for the growth of bacteria and mold fungi. To prevent such dirt from getting into the drum for the most part, the tank and filters of the washing machine are necessary.
- Before putting things into the washing machine drum, take everything out of their pockets.
- Before washing, shake off large pieces of dirt and debris from items.
- Wash things in a special bag (this protects machine parts, including from threads and lint).
How to clean the drum of an automatic machine?
You can clean the drum of an automatic machine from scale and dirt manually, or you can automatic mode , in any case we will need chemicals. To do this, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive professional cleaning products, which are not always effective enough. First, let's try to use folk remedies. Among these means:
- lemon acid;
- white;
- soda;
- vinegar.
Citric acid is the most well-known and widespread substance that is used in households both for cleaning plumbing fixtures and for cleaning washing machines. The effect of citric acid dissolved in water rids the drum and other parts of scale, grease deposits, and mold. For one cleaning you need to take 200 g of dry citric acid powder. The main advantages of this tool:
- low price;
- Cleans automatically, without physical effort;
- practically harmless to machine parts.
The disadvantages include the low effectiveness of the product if the drum has not been cleaned for many years and a thick coating of salts has accumulated on it and other parts. In this case, you need to either clean with citric acid several times in a row, or use another product.
To clean the machine drum from scale and dirt, use bleach or other types of chlorine bleach. For complete cleaning you will need 250 g of the substance. Main advantages:
- Not high price;
- very effective cleaning of the drum and other machine parts from scale and dirt;
The disadvantage of whiteness is that it, along with dirt, can corrode the rubber parts of the washer, including the cuff and gaskets. Therefore, during cleaning, you should not exceed the dose of the substance and in general it is better not to clean more than once a year. Chlorine bleach evaporates during cleaning harmful substances, negatively affecting human health.
Baking soda will also help clean the washing machine drum from dirt, but it will only cope with cleaning the walls of the drum; the tank and heating element cannot be cleaned with its help. To clean the drum walls you need about 150 g of the substance. Main advantages:
- low price;
- no harm to machine parts;
- effective drum cleaning.
The disadvantages include the fact that using soda requires manual cleaning of the drum walls; in addition, it takes time for the substance to interact with the dirt.
Concentrated acetic acid is also used to clean the drum and machine parts. You need to take 50 ml of the substance and dilute it with 150 ml of water. Vinegar essence cannot be used undiluted. Advantages of the substance:
- low price;
- very effective cleaning of machine parts;
- cleans without any human effort.
The main disadvantage: vinegar harms the rubber parts of the car. In addition, it is quite difficult to wash it out of the tank and drum.
Among the professional cleaning agents for washing machine drums, Frisch activ stands out. Very effective remedy, developed by German specialists. With its help, you can clean the parts of your washing machine from scale and dirt at least every week. The main advantages of the product:
- very effectively cleans the drum and other machine parts from any contaminants;
- does not harm the washing machine;
- leaves behind a pleasant smell;
- It is used sparingly.
The disadvantage is the rather high price, about 15 USD. for a container of 250 ml. Provided that the bottle is enough for about 10 cleanings, although, of course, it’s up to the consumer to decide.
How to clean: detailed instructions
Any of the above means must be used correctly, otherwise about effective and safe cleaning scale and dirt are out of the question. Whiteness, citric acid and vinegar solution must be poured directly into the drum of the washing machine, then set the washing program (for 1 hour or more) at a temperature of at least 60 0 C. After the program is completed, it is necessary to perform a double rinse to remove any remaining substance from drum and tank of the machine. After this procedure, there will be no trace of scale and dirt left.
Baking soda should be used differently.
- Pour a little substance directly onto a cloth and begin to clean the walls of the drum by hand.
- We clean until the dirt begins to come off.
- We interrupt cleaning the drum and wait about 30 minutes for the substance to interact with the dirt.
- We continue to intensively rub the walls of the drum with a cloth until complete removal mud.
Note! To enhance the effect of cleaning the drum with soda, you need to slightly moisten its walls first. Do not wet it with excess water!
Frisch activ washing machine cleaner is used as follows:
- pour ½ cap of the product into the powder cuvette;
- pour the second half of the cap into the drum of the washing machine;
- run a single wash at high temperature (it is better to choose the highest possible);
- pause (so that the old scale soaks in water with the product);
- restart the rinse mode.
Some washing machine models are usually from medium to high price category have a special automatic drum cleaning program. For example, on washing machines from Samsung it is called “Eco Drum Cleaning”. In such machines, to perform cleaning, it is enough to activate this mode and wait for the program to complete.
However, you need to take into account that this mode does not clean the drum, tank walls, and heating element from scale. The automatic cleaning program can only remove greasy deposits and mold from the walls of the drum, although no one forbids you to use it along with a chemical cleaner.
What other machine parts need to be cleaned?
The drum is not the only part of the washing machine that needs to be periodically cleaned to remove scale and dirt. Let's say more - the walls of the drum are a kind of indicator by which you can approximately understand the degree of contamination of the internal parts of the machine. Simply put, if scale deposits are present on the walls of the drum, then this deposit is also present inside in considerable quantities. What parts of the washing machine, besides the drum, need to be cleaned?
- Drain filter.
- Hatch cuff.
- The inner surface of the tank.
- Pulley.
- A heating element.
The drain filter needs to be cleaned very often, literally after every wash. This is required by the operating instructions for the washing machine, and this is absolutely correct. After all, it is in the drain filter that all the solid debris that is washed from the laundry accumulates, but is not removed along with the dirty water through the drain hose. Read more about how to clean the washing machine filter in the article.
You also need to remove moisture from the rubber cuff of the hatch after each wash; excess moisture is a potential breeding ground for mold and germs. If mold has already formed in the cuff recess, apply a small amount of the solution copper sulfate onto a cloth and thoroughly wipe the mold areas with it. You can pour a little of this substance into the recess of the cuff and let it sit for a couple of hours, then rinse the cuff with warm water and wipe with a dry cloth.
The inner surface of the tank, pulley and heating element can only be physically cleaned. In some cases, dirt and scale can be removed using chemicals (as described above), but in the most advanced cases, any chemical except the most aggressive is powerless. And you need to disassemble the machine and clean its parts manually, and if necessary, change them.
To summarize, we note that cleaning the drum of an automatic washing machine is a mandatory procedure that must be done at least once a year, and preferably more often. Only in this case will the car parts always shine clean and emit a pleasant smell. To carry out cleaning you need to know some secrets, which we talked about in the article.
An automatic washing machine is an indispensable assistant for every housewife. This unit can serve you for many years, but due to scale, mold and dirt, its service life can be significantly reduced. To protect your device from such problems, regular cleaning of your washing machine is recommended. So, how to clean an automatic washing machine?
In the event that an automatic washing machine suddenly stops working, you need to understand the cause of the failure. As a rule, the most common cause of failure in most cases is a large number of scale on the electric heater, as well as filter clogging. Next, we will talk in detail about how to clean an automatic washing machine.
Ordinary users often do not even suspect that there is a exhaust filter and that it often gets clogged. A person who does not know about this detail can pay a lot for a specialist to fix the machine, although in fact it was not even broken, the drain filter just needed to be cleaned. You can find this part on the front side of the device; at the bottom, as a rule, there is a square-shaped cover.
- Open the cover and you will be able to see the plug that covers the hose. Before removing the plug, place something underneath as liquid may leak out.
- After you remove the plug, you will see the debris that caused the drain filter to become clogged. This various kinds small particles and dirt that gets there after you wash things in the machine. If you have never cleaned the filter before, it is possible that unpleasant odor.
- Wear gloves and use your hands to clean this part from debris and dirt.
- Next, you need to wipe the filter with a piece of clean cloth to dry it.
Container for powder and conditioner
Rarely does anyone look at the condition of the slot intended for powder and conditioner. Think about it, you just open this hole, add detergent and start washing. But you just have to look at it, and you will see how much dirt, dark-colored mold (sometimes there is also fungus) there is there. However main point The problem is not the unsightly appearance of mold, but the fact that it can come into contact with your clothes while the machine is washing. Cleaning the washing machine and the removable detergent reservoir from mold occurs as follows:
- Just remove the slot from the hole (this is quite easy to do). Take out the container into which the powder is poured. You will need a sponge or an old toothbrush, which you need to thoroughly soap and treat this container. Using a brush, you should try to clean it from the mold that accumulates inside.
- In the air conditioner compartment, not only mold, but also some kind of plaque is often found. It can be easily cleaned with toilet bowl cleaner. Take the most common chlorine-containing product, pour a small amount of into the container. After this, to increase the effectiveness of the effect, you need to leave the product for literally a couple of hours. During this time, the cleaner will remove mold and plaque.
Cleaning the detergent reservoir is quite simple, so for the purpose of prevention, you should try to wash it regularly so that dirt does not accumulate there.
Cleaning the electric heater (TEH)
This part of the washing machine most often breaks due to the presence of scale accumulated on it. This especially often happens when the water is quite “hard”, that is, it contains a large amount of various metals and salts that harm the tubular electric heater. Scale accumulates on this part, which increases more and more after each washing cycle. At the moment when its quantity becomes critical, the electric heater does not even work after you turn on the washing mode. Most often, if this is the cause of the breakdown, then the washing machine suddenly turns off right in the middle of the wash and no longer works. How to descale a washing machine? This can be done using the following methods.
Recipe No. 1. Use citric acid
In fact, cleaning the electric heater with improvised means is quite simple - take a little citric acid (depending on how much scale you find on this part). To clean a washing machine with no more than 5 kilograms loaded into the drum, you will need approximately 5 packets of acid, of which 4 must be poured into the washing tank. detergents, and place the contents of the remaining bag directly into the drum. Set the washing program at a temperature of at least 90 degrees.
When the water is drained, you may notice scale coming out in large dark pieces. Make sure that it does not cause the drain filter to become clogged.
Simply clean your unit with citric acid powder several times a month and you will ensure reliable operation of the electric heater.
Recipe No. 2. Take acetic acid
Removing scale from an electric heater using vinegar is not as common as compared to citric acid, but users often report that this method is quite effective. But remember that vinegar is more aggressive than citric acid. Using it, you risk damaging parts made of rubber. But, in general, this substance better and more effectively cleans heating elements from scale.
It is necessary to pour 50 milliliters of vinegar solution into the detergent reservoir. Decide for yourself whether to use this method or not, since it is still better to handle the washing machine with care.
Cleaning the drum of an automatic machine
If you are looking for a way to clean an automatic washing machine, then remember that you need to regularly clean the drum, in which dirt and lime often accumulate. Some washing machines are equipped with an option that allows you to clean the drum automatically. In this case, you just need to press the corresponding key and you no longer need to make any independent efforts.
If your washing machine does not have such a mode, the following recommendations will be useful to you:
- Pour approximately 100 milliliters of bleach directly into the washing machine drum. Set the washing mode (without clothes, of course) at a temperature of at least 60 degrees. Dirt will come out of the drum along with an unpleasant odor.
- Pour a couple of lemon sachets into the drum and set the wash program to high temperature. If there is, run a double rinse, this way you can clean the drum more effectively.
- To prevent the accumulation of dirt and the appearance of unpleasant odors, leave the machine door partially closed after it has finished washing.
All people are trying to make their life easier by purchasing the most suitable devices for this. Almost every family has an automatic washing machine. And in a large family with many children one cannot do without it.
When purchasing such an au pair, not every housewife thinks about how to properly descale a washing machine and when it needs to be done.
Causes of scale in the washing machine
Scale forms on the heating element and causes significant damage to the mechanism for heating water.
Scale formation occurs due to poor quality water. If the water is very hard, it contains a large amount of salts and impurities, which, when heated, settle on the electric heater, forming a hard crust.
If the powder used contains chemical impurities, this also contributes to the formation of scale. The heater, when covered with scale, takes much longer to heat the water and consumes more energy.
When is it necessary to clean the machine?
You can find out about the need to clean the washing machine heating element yourself.
The heating element is located under the drum itself or slightly to the side of it. You can examine the heating element using a flashlight; point it at the drum and try to see the water heating element.
To ensure that the light falls evenly, you can shake the drum of the machine a little. If there is scale on the electric heaters, then they need to be cleaned.
You can also find out about the need to clean the unit by the following signs:
- If, after washing, things smell unpleasant, then they need to be cleaned. washing machine.
- When the unit starts washing or moving very loudly, this means that cleansing is very urgently necessary. If this is not done soon, it is possible that the unit will fail.
- If after washing white items they appear gray or yellow tint, then it’s time to clean the heating element.
- The machine began to wash things very poorly, no matter how much detergent was poured into the compartment.
You can check the machine for damage; if it does not heat the water, it means it is out of order. To find out whether it heats the water or not, you need to put your hand on the glass while washing. There is a possibility that the electric heating device can still be cleaned.
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Citric acid is widely used to remove scale not only in washing machines, but also in other heating appliances.. The formed scale is subject to decomposition under the influence of citric acid.
Even if the concentration of lemon juice is weak, the reaction and destruction of salts will still occur.
Citric acid, most available method cleaning the washing machine, if you follow the recommendations for use, it will not cause any harm to the health of the body. Compared to special anti-scale preparations, the acid is completely washed off from clothes and its cost is tens of times less than special means.
Cleaning rules
There is no need to be dismissive of the scale that appears on the heating element; if it is not visible, this does not mean that it is not there.
Every housewife should know how to properly clean an automatic washing machine with citric acid. Proper cleaning and regular preventive measures, will help prevent breakdowns and save money on replacing heating elements and workshop services.
Cleaning the machine using citric acid is done as follows:
- To clean a machine with a standard load you will need about 100 grams. crystalline citric acid. To clean the heating element, you should not use lemon juice; it contains much less acid, and it will not be able to break down the existing scale.
- The lemon juice must be poured into the compartment intended for powder and the machine must be turned on for the longest washing cycle, always with spinning and rinsing.
- Set the temperature intended for long-term operation if the machine has not been cleaned for a long time, then 90 0, for prevention 60 0 is suitable and turn on the device.
- Once the wash is finished, the washing machine drum should be thoroughly cleaned , and rubber bands from scale particles. It is also advisable to wipe the cuff with a cloth to completely remove scale.
During washing, various sounds, crackling, clicking noises can be heard, this means that the scale is splitting and falling into the drain. After a long wash, you can additionally turn it on to the fast mode, and you don’t need to add anything to the powder compartment.
To obtain the greatest effect from the use of citric acid, you can add about 200 grams to the drum of the unit. bleach.
While the washing is in progress, you need to thoroughly ventilate the room, it will stand strong smell bleach. When bleach interacts with salts, it will turn into steam, which is quite harmful to the human body.
Chlorine cleans the machine very effectively; after using it, the machine will be like new, and the washed items will not be covered with small pieces of dirt.
Precautionary measures
During cleaning, there should be no items in the unit. To remove scale, you do not need to pour in more citric acid than the recommended volume, this can lead to damage to the cuff, it will become hard and lose elasticity.
After cleaning, be sure to clean the drain filter from any deposited scale and rinse the powder compartment from any remaining acid.
Other ways to get rid of scale
In addition to citric acid, there are other methods for descaling your machine.
- You can try cleaning the unit with a special product called Antiscale.
The product contains acids that dissolve scale crusts. Antiscale must be poured into the unit and the machine must be turned on, the main thing is that there is no laundry in it.
The efficiency of use is quite high; after heating, a reaction begins to occur and the scale breaks down.
Before use, you should read the instructions for use.
If you overdo it when cleaning, all the rubber elements of the unit may become unusable and the machine will begin to leak.
The drug is not expensive, gives good results, and is not difficult to use.
- You can descale your washing machine with vinegar; this is another most effective and inexpensive way. Many experts believe that this method gives the best results.
To clean, you will need to pour two glasses into the washing machine. acetic acid. You need to turn on the unit for the longest wash in hot water. There should be no laundry in the machine.
After about five minutes of washing, you need to stop the machine for 60 minutes. This is necessary so that the product penetrates into all dirty and dirty places in the machine.
After an hour of waiting, you can start the wash again and wait for it to finish. To rinse the machine from the remaining scale, you will need to put it on the wash cycle again, but this time on the fastest mode.
At the end of the process, you need to moisten a rag or napkin with a weak solution of acetic acid and thoroughly wipe the cuffs and glass of the unit. After cleaning, it is recommended to remove the filter and clean it of any remaining scale.
- Baking soda is great for cleaning the washing machine not only from scale, but also from mold.
Baking soda is poured into the washing powder compartment and the longest mode is started at high temperature. Mix soda with water in equal proportions and wipe with inside the resulting composition throughout the drum and on the door.
In case of severe contamination, a mixture of table vinegar And baking soda.
- A large number of people use Coca-Cola to descale their teeth. It removes scale and rust; it is used not only for cleaning a washing machine, but also for radiators, pipes, and faucets.
A washing machine will require about 5 liters of drink. Coca-Cola must be poured into the drum and turned on to the “pre-wash” mode. If you plan to remove the heating element, you can also clean it with this soda.
- If you constantly smell an unpleasant odor from the machine, you can add a little bleaching agent to the drum and turn it on to the washing mode at high temperature, but only without laundry.
The filter must also be cleaned; to do this, you need to open the filter, remove all existing contaminants and ventilate it. The filter should be cleaned at least once every 90 days.
After washing with bleach, you need to take a cloth or napkin and thoroughly wipe the entire drum and cuff using dishwashing liquid.
- You can also take about 50–60 grams of copper sulfate and pour 100 grams. lukewarm water.
The mixture must be thoroughly mixed and poured into the drum. The machine is started in fast mode, but at high temperature.
- There is a way mechanical cleaning, which can be used if you know how the machine works. In this case, you need to disassemble the washing machine and remove the heating element from there and assemble the unit.
You only need to disassemble a washing machine if you have certain skills in this matter. Before disassembling the unit, it must be unplugged from the outlet and the hoses removed so that they are not damaged.
Then the heating element is unscrewed and the scale is very carefully cleaned off. If something is done incorrectly, it is possible that the machine, heating element or hoses will be damaged. It is for this reason that you do not need to disassemble the machine if you do not have certain skills.
Recommendations for operating the machine - how to avoid the appearance of scale?
To prevent scale from appearing in the washing machine, you can try to soften the hardness of the water by using special magnetic filters. They are installed on the water supply or on the water filling system of the washing machine.
This device effectively purifies water from impurities and salts that cause scale to form. The disadvantage of this device is its high price, but it will serve enough a long period time.
A variety of chemicals are also widely used to protect the unit from scale formation. You can use special washing powders to soften water and prevent the appearance of plaque on the heating element of the machine.
In addition to adding special products during washing, you need to operate the washing machine correctly.
To maintain the normal condition of the unit, you must follow the recommendations:
- In most cases, scale formation occurs when the water is very hot., it is for this reason that it is advisable to wash at 60 degrees. Washing modes at high temperatures ah, it is advisable to use only in case of emergency.
- If you plan to leave for a long time and the unit will not be used, then it must be thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth or napkin. After a long break, before using the machine, you must first perform one of the types of cleaning.
- When using special conditioners or powders when washing clothes items that foam a lot, you should definitely put things through an additional rinse. Such laundry preparations are difficult to rinse and settle on parts of the unit, causing scale to form.
- If citric acid is used for cleaning, this must be done regularly, at least once every 60 days.
Getting rid of scale is very simple, the main thing is to use the chosen method correctly. In any case, to avoid problems, it is better to keep the machine in good condition and follow preventive measures.
How do the internal elements of washing machines become covered with scale? How to clean a washing machine from scale and odors at home? You will find answers to these and other questions in this article.
Reasons for the formation of scale and odor in the washing machine
Typically, the reason for the formation of scale deposited on the heater of a washing machine is the content of magnesium and calcium salts in the water used for washing (water containing a large amount of salts is called “hard”).
Also, the formation of scale is promoted by the presence of tiny particles of dirt in the water, for example, rust in “rusty” water.
Scale greatly affects the thermal conductivity of the heater and increases the time during which it warms the water, and as a result leads to greater energy consumption.
When hard water is heated, calcium and magnesium salts break down into escaping carbon dioxide and water-insoluble sediment, which is colloquially called scale. This sediment is deposited on the heater and tank walls.
Dirt particles, such as tiny rust, wear out moving structural elements and render the intake valve unusable. Such water flows from the water supply after it is repaired or disconnected.
The appearance of an unpleasant odor can be due to several reasons.
- The first reason may be the most banal: storing dirty laundry intended for washing not in a special laundry basket, but directly in the drum of the washing machine.
- The second reason is the use of low-quality detergents when washing. They may not be completely washed off and may further contribute to the formation of fungus and unpleasant odor.
- Closing the washing machine immediately after washing and removing clothes from it also contributes to the appearance of odor and mold due to the remaining moisture.
How to descale your washing machine
If there is a large amount of scale, you need to contact a washing machine repair service or check and repair it yourself, if you have the necessary skills and time.
The heating element (heater) is found at the bottom of the tank, it is located under the drum. It is usually located in the center of the tank, although in some cases it is slightly offset to the side.
You can descale your washing machine at home using special products sold in stores or using folk remedies.
Special means
One of the most common cleaning products is Antiscale. It dissolves magnesium and calcium salts contained in scale.
It is poured into the powder compartment and the “wash without laundry” program is turned on. During this process there will be chemical reaction, which cleans internal parts from scale.
The method is inexpensive and quite effective.
Video on how to clean a washing machine:
There are also products that prevent the formation of scale during washing, for example: Calgon.
Calgon is added directly during washing to soften the water. The big disadvantage of Calgon is its high cost.
Folk remedies
May be no less effective folk remedies for cleaning the automatic washing machine from dirt. Their main advantage can be their availability in almost every home and low price.
How to clean a washing machine with citric acid
Citric acid is used not only for cleaning washing machines, but also other household appliances in which limescale may form (electric kettle, coffee maker, etc.).
It is safe for both humans and plastic and rubber parts. The procedure for removing plaque using citric acid must be carried out at least once every 3 months.
Pour 50-100 grams of citric acid into the detergent compartment and turn on any longest wash cycle with maximum heat.
Wait for the complete wash and rinse cycle to complete.
Washing items should not be placed in the machine during cleaning, as they may become unusable.
If cleaning has not been carried out for a long time, then after starting the washing program and heating the water, pause the machine and let it sit for several hours, then continue the washing process further.
How to clean with table vinegar
Pour 1-2 cups of 9% vinegar into the powder compartment.
Select the program with the longest wash time and pre-soak.
After cleaning is completed, to remove sour smell from vinegar, start the rinsing process.
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
To enhance the effect of acetic acid on limescale, you can use a solution of vinegar and soda.
Mix half a glass of water with half a glass of baking soda and place the solution in the detergent compartment. Pour 1 cup of 9% acetic acid directly into the drum.
Turn on the washing process with the longest cycle and maximum temperature.
Video on how to clean a washing machine at home:
Some people use bleach and other chlorine-containing products, but they cannot remove limescale from the washing machine.
Whiteness will only help for general disinfection and comprehensive cleaning inside the washing machine.
How to clean a washing machine from smells
We have already described the reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant odor above. Accordingly, in order for the smell to disappear, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of its appearance.
Necessary steps to remove odor:
- Do not store laundry prepared for washing in the machine drum; buy a special laundry basket for this purpose.
- After washing, leave the door for loading laundry and the compartment for loading detergents open until the inside of the machine is completely dry and ventilated.
- Use only high-quality rinse aids and washing powders for machines marked “automatic”.
If, nevertheless, an unpleasant odor has already appeared from the washing machine, then you can remove it using ordinary soda.
Apply the solution by mixing water and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. Take a cloth and soak it in the prepared solution.
Wipe all accessible areas with a rag and solution:
- tray for detergents;
- rubber seal on the door;
- drum insides.
The next step is to start the washing mode without laundry with maximum heat, before that pour 20 grams of citric acid and 50 grams of soda into the powder tray.
To prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the washing machine, carry out this cleaning once every 6 months.
Mold is destroyed by high temperatures and powders containing bleaches, so at least periodically wash in these modes, and not just in the low temperatures and gentle washing.
The appearance of mold can be seen visually behind the rubber seal, in the powder compartment and in the drain hose.
If mold is found, clean these areas using purchased special mold removers or wash with a brush and soap.
To clean mold in inaccessible places you need to:
- Pour 1 liter of white into the powder tray.
- Start the wash cycle at maximum temperature.
- When the washing machine door heats up to maximum, pause it.
- After 2 hours, turn on the drain and rinse mode, immediately pour 1 liter of 9% vinegar into the conditioner compartment.
- At the end of the wash, turn on the rinse mode again without any additions.
To prevent all the problems described above (mold, dirt, unpleasant odor), it is necessary to regularly carry out comprehensive cleaning of the inside of the machine.
Clean the rubber seal and drum
The rubber seal prevents water from leaking out of the drum. At the end of the wash, water remains in it, and after a while mold and a musty smell may appear there.
For cleaning you can use: a solution of soda and water in equal proportions, “Whiteness” or a solution of copper sulfate. Use any of these products to wash the cuff and the drum itself and leave for 2 hours.
Finally rinse with a sponge and warm water with soap, then wipe dry.
Incorrect dosage of detergents can lead to clogging of the drainage hose. If the blockage is not severe, then you can do without removing it.
Anti-scale agent breaks down dirt and soap scum well.
If the blockage is severe, then you cannot do without removing the drainage hose. First, you need to drain the remaining water through the drain filter and disconnect the hose from the sewer.
Further actions depend on the model. Most can only be reached through the bottom. To do this, place the machine on its side and remove the bottom panel.
For specific steps for dismantling the drain hose, please refer to the instructions for your washing machine.
The hose can only be cleaned with a non-metallic cable with a brush at the end, and after cleaning, rinse with warm water.
The drain filter of the washing machine is used to prevent accidental waste from entering the pump. small items in the drum.
If the filter is not cleaned, a large amount of debris can accumulate there, which will emit an unpleasant odor and ultimately lead to failure of the entire device.
Remove the protective panel hiding access to the filter. Place a rag and a low container to drain the remaining water.
Unscrew counterclockwise and remove the filter. Remove any objects from the hole and rinse the filter with running water.
Screw the filter back in tightly to prevent water from leaking through it during washing.
Video of cleaning the drain filter:
The drain filter should be cleaned once a month.
Powder residues and limescale deposits from hard water accumulate on the walls of the detergent container; all this must be removed in a timely manner.
To do this, remove the container from the installation socket. Wash with warm water and soap or using chlorine-containing products.
If the deposits are large, soak the cuvette in citric acid for 1-2 hours, then use a toothbrush and sponge to clean off all plaque, wipe dry and put the tray back in place.
By following the rules of operation and care of your washing machine, you will not only extend its service life, but also get rid of expensive repairs and replacement of various elements.
Care Tips:
- After finishing washing, wipe the drum, grooves in the rubber seal and door glass dry.
- Remove the powder tray, rinse it with warm water and wipe dry.
- Leave the door open after washing to get rid of moisture inside the machine.
- Do not keep things in the washing machine for a long time, regardless of whether you are just going to wash them or they are already clean, washed wet things.
- For prevention, periodically wipe the inside of the washing machine using any of the above methods.
- Clean the filter once every 2-3 months.
Follow these simple rules that do not require any special skills, and your washing machine will serve you for many years.
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