A washing machine, like any other household appliances, needs care. Humidity, various detergents, dirty clothes provoke the development of mold, limescale, dirt and bad smell in the drum, the inside of the machine and on its surface. To cope with all these types of pollution, you have to choose a good tool.
Why clean the car and what?
Too hard tap water, the use of low-quality powders with a high content of harmful substances, improper operation of the machine can lead even a good and expensive unit to a deplorable state. But even if you do everything right - soften the water with special means, use organic powders and always choose programs wisely, the machine must be cleaned periodically.
It's all about moisture, water quality and the large number of inaccessible places that are in the car. All its internal parts, hoses, drum, rubber bands are a hotbed of mold and musty smell, especially if you keep the door closed all the time.
If you use a special tool to clean the washing machine from dirt, mold and scale at least once a month, this will extend its service life and there are no guaranteed pathogens on newly laundered items.
Limescale Prevention
As a rule, in all Russian cities water flows from the tap , which is not very suitable not only for drinking, but also for washing machines. That is, it is clean, without pathogens, however, the presence of chlorine, lime and various impurities gives sediment to the drum and internal parts, which can lead to breakage. To avoid this, you can use special means to soften the water with each wash. Just remember that they do not clear an existing plaque, but only prevent the appearance of a new one. The most famous option is Calgon, but in the network of Fix price stores you can buy a cheaper analogue under the Refine brand. Also, in any economic department you will meet the domestic “Anti-scale”.
Descaling
But to clean the existing scale, look for special household chemicals. Choose the types that are loaded into the powder compartment. Those substances for cleaning washing machines that are poured directly into the drum during washing can get on clothes and cause an allergic reaction, since only products based on an acid solution will take a plaque. In addition, if loading with linen is meant, then do not expect a special effect - the product will just soften the water.
Acetic, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids are popular fighters with scum, they are cheap and will cope well with the problem, but they corrode the rubber, which is so much inside the washing machine. With frequent use of folk remedies, the machine will soon become unusable.
Therefore, it is better to buy good descaler detergents in the store, for example, the budget “Doctor Ten” or the powerful effective “Bugi Avnit” product.
Mold cleaning
Black plaque inside the car - this is mold. It appears where it is humid, warm, and rarely ventilated, for example, in old bathrooms. Obviously, the washing machine also meets all the mold requirements. It turns out that getting a fungus inside is simple, but to get rid of it, you have to make an effort.
You can use a folk remedy for cleaning the drum of a washing machine - citric acid (start an empty wash with acid instead of powder at 90 degrees). Then rinse the gum with vitriol and a powder tray with vinegar. If the mold does not have time to spread deep into the machine, these methods will help. Otherwise, you will have to call the wizard and clean all the details.
Also on sale is a large assortment of special chemicals. So, a popular tool for cleaning washing machines from mildew is Korean “Se-place" or Japanese Kaneyo gel.
If the mold can be removed, continue to care for the technique so that the fungus does not appear again:
- Move the machine to a drier room, such as a kitchen.
- Ventilate the drum by opening the door.
- Use gel and liquid powders less often - sometimes they leave mucus, which is an ideal environment for the development of the fungus.
Parts cleaning
So, we have already figured out how to clean the drum and powder compartment, but it is important to remove dirt from the internal parts of the machine. It is from the state of the drum that one can understand whether it is time to inspect the insides, if the drum needs care, then deep down there are problems. What can be done:
- Wipe the rubber cuff thoroughly ; moisture always remains under the rubber bands.
- Call the wizard to clean the inside of the tank and the heating element - this can only be done by disassembling the machine.
- Clean the drain filter, we will tell you more about this.
You may be surprised, but many machines require cleaning this filter after each wash - this is exactly what is written in the instructions for the unit. But few people do this at all or at least somehow regularly. And at the same time, all the dirt and large debris from clothes that did not go into the sewers along with dirty water accumulate here.
Look for the filter below the front panel. Sometimes it is twisted simply by hands, sometimes you need to first unscrew the retaining screw. After removing the filter, empty it, wash it with soapy water or sulfate solution.
How to remove a bad smell?
If you cleaned the drum of the machine using detergents, washed the filter and the powder tray, but the unpleasant musty smell remained or reappears, you will have to get rid of it.
The cause of an unpleasant odor in the car (subject to general cleanliness and lack of mold) may be:
- Not completely washed filter, something small may get stuck in it.
- Poorly washed gums - there are nooks under them where fungus can still remain.
- A clogged drain hose or a damaged heating element - they will have to be changed or cleaned, call the master.
- The commonplace reason is the long storage of wet, dirty laundry in a drum.
To eliminate an unpleasant odor, ventilate the drum or clean it with citric acid or a special detergent for washing machines. The fabric softener is a handy tool for cleaning washing machines from odors, provided that it is not very strong. Fill the air conditioner in the appropriate compartment and start the empty wash.
If this doesn’t help, try using a sewer cleaner - it will help to clean all hoses and internal blockages.
Disinfection
In addition to cleaning the machine from the main visible contaminants, disinfection is also important for many, that is, the destruction of all microbes on the surface of the drum and other parts of the unit. Sometimes it is required to wash things of a small child, mothers are afraid that microbes from adult clothes can harm the baby’s delicate skin. There are also cases when you have to wash something very dirty, after which you want to disinfect the car.
Ideal for this are the special cleaning agents for Dr. Ten antibacterial washing machines or the Korean SANDOKKAEBI sanitizer.
If the tray for washing powder needs to be disinfected, you can soak it in water with diluted Domestos, then wipe it with a sponge or brush and rinse with clean water. Many disinfect the entire machine with Domestos or whiteness, but this is too aggressive chemistry that can ruin the details.
For the most serious cases, use, for example, “Multidez-Teflex” - this tool kills even bacteria and viruses (tuberculosis, hepatitis and polio), while it is not dangerous for humans and cars.
3 in 1 washing machine cleaner
If you need to solve not just one, but just three problems with your washing machine, that is, to clean mold, scale and dirt, then look for 3 in 1 universal products in the store. They are usually not often used, but the effect is enough for a long time.
For example, the special tool Dr. Beckmann for cleaning washing machines. It is used only twice a year, and one bottle is designed for just 2 applications. It is poured into the powder compartment, and the machine starts at the specified washing mode. This allows you to clean all the insides, you just have to wipe the compartment and the door with a cloth dampened in a drop of detergent for washing machines. The reviews claim that it will cope with all the unpleasant problems, while not damaging the rubber or the parts inside the machine.
Outside cleaning
And finally, one cannot but say a few words about cleaning the car from the outside, because it only seems that it does not get dirty. It may leave traces of water or powder, if the machine is in the kitchen, its facade may become dirty, like any other equipment. Often it is enough to wipe the machine with a clean cloth moistened with water, to clean the dirt on the cloth you can drip a dishwashing detergent.
If you have a machine with a vertical loading, then to make the window clean, sprinkle a glass cleaner on it and wipe it with a cloth, or if water leaks are visible, use a cleaner for bathtubs and plumbing - it removes lime deposits.