All of us, when buying a brand new washing machine, rely on the fact that it will serve us for more than one year and will not cause us problems with breakdowns, but we completely forget that for this we, the owners, require proper care for the equipment. One of the problems that housewives face is that the washing machine is covered with a layer of scale, which in turn leads to a breakdown of the heating element or more important components of the unit.
Here we will talk about how to clean the washing machine from scale using citric acid and other improvised means, as well as other procedures for cleaning the washing machine from mold and unpleasant odors.
Why does scale appear in the washing machine
Before proceeding with the analysis of ways to remove scale from a washing machine, it would not hurt to understand the causes of its occurrence, and perhaps in the future this information will help us in solving the problem.
As everyone knows, the water in our taps is far from spring water and contains a large number of various chemical elements. In some areas, the water can contain a lot of iron and be "hard", which means it contains a lot of salts and other components.All these substances contained in water, when heated, form deposits (or so-called carbonates) on the heating elements, which, as is known from chemistry lessons, can be removed with acid. How higher washing temperature you use in your washing machine, the more scale builds up on the heating element.
If crystal clear water flowed in our taps, then no scale would appear in the washing machine.But we live in the real world where poor quality waterand so we have to deal with this problem. The only solution to get rid of scale is install a polyphosphate filter for a washing machine, which will soften the water and reduce the appearance of scale on the heating element.
What is the danger of scale in the washing machine
Scale itself does not pose a danger to you, but it has a very detrimental effect on the processes taking place in the washing machine. Let's take a look all the disadvantages of scale:
- Electricity consumption increases: scale covers the heating element and, thereby, prevents the normal heating of water, which requires additional energy consumption. If your machine heats water for a long time, then this is one of the symptoms that the heating element has become covered with a large layer of scale. But there may be others reasons why the machine does not heat water Or heat it up slowly.
- Scale contributes to the breakdown of the washing machine - the heating element has to work in difficult conditions, which leads to its rapid failure, which will require the replacement of the heating element. And if the heating element is not replaced in time, the program module of the washing machine may burn out, and this is already a serious breakdown.
- Scale buildup in your washing machine can cause fungus or mold to grow and cause you a lot of trouble.
Ways to clean the washing machine from scale
If you don’t know how to descale a washing machine, but you heard somewhere that it needs to be done, then let’s figure out together how to do it using various tools that you can find in your kitchen.
How to clean a washing machine with citric acid
This is probably the most effective way, which allows you to most likely remove scale from the washing machine. To clean the washing machine from scale with citric acid, you will not need anything other than citric acid itself in an amount of 100-200 gr.
Pour acid into the washing compartment and start the longest washing program for maximum temperature at 90-95°C. If there is a function extra rinse, then turn it on, if not, then after the end of the washing program, turn on the rinse machine again.
After this procedure, the elements of your washer will be like new. Repeat this procedure regularly every six months, and you will not face the problem of scale in your washing machine.
How to descale a washing machine with vinegar
Another old-fashioned way to clean the washer from scale is to use vinegar, although we do not welcome this method, we will still talk about it.
You will need 1 cup white 9% vinegar, which you pour into the powder department, then choose any short wash program 60°C with extra rinse and run it.
After the end of the program, all scale will be removed.
How to clean a washing machine from mold
If you did not descale your washing machine on time, then mold could form in it, which emits an unpleasant smell from the washing machine and is harmful to health. The instructions below will help you clean the washing machine from mold.
How to clean a washing machine with blue vitriol
The most effective agent for cleaning mold from washing machines is blue vitriol, which was used by our parents to remove mold from walls in bathrooms and other places. Copper sulphate is a blue crystal type powder that you will need to dilute in proportions 30 g of powder per 1 liter of water. Then treat the entire inner surface of the washing machine. Thereafter leave the processed unit for a day.
After this time, pour any detergent into the powder compartment and start the washing program. After that, it is desirable to start another washing program already without powder.
How to clean a washing machine with baking soda
If you do not have blue vitriol, then there is another old way to get rid of mold with soda. For it you will need half a glass of soda and half a glass of waterthat you will need to mix.
This solution needs clean the inside of the washing machine: drum, seals and other parts affected by the fungus, after which turn on rinse to wash the drum.
How to clean a washing machine from smell
The smell in the washing machine appears for several reasons, and if you want to know Why does the washing machine smell like rotten stuff?then read about it on our website. But in a nutshell, we can say that the smell is caused by the appearance of a fungus. To get the answer to the question of how to clean the washing machine from the smell of fungus, read the information above on cleaning the washing machine from mold.
Comments
But it’s still more convenient for me to use Calgon when washing, everything is clear and precise in terms of dosage, you can’t go wrong. There is no scale, the machine is clean and washes well.
The article is good, but I would not wash with vinegar or acid, I would be afraid for the typewriter. And I also use Calgon, after all, a product specifically for washing machines and convenient, softens the water and cleans the machine from plaque.
Any powder already has a descaler, and Calgon is something to make money, an elementary marketing ploy.
I use citric acid for cleaning and prevention of scale in the washing machine, once every half a year somewhere, cheap and cheerful.
citric acid - the easiest and cheapest way
CALGON is breeding us BABKI! You do NOT need to feed them!
Alexander on December 13th. YOU are absolutely right, and citric acid will replace calgon
as a technician repairman I will tell everyone one thing ... use Calgon, lemon and vinegar! And I'll be your repairman. I will practically live with you. I have such volumes of work only at hand.Any high-quality powder already has all the necessary additives from scale and bacteria. Who believes advertising, be my clients. There is not much money.
Kind people! The machine stopped heating water! What to do?! Washing modes now work incorrectly! Who faced such problem? Will the master save? or buy a new one? Bosch machine - almost 11 years.
Check the heating element and the temperature sensor, if normal, see the block.
Undoubtedly, teapot citric acid launders remarkably. But will it corrode something in the washing machine?
The comment is not for advertising and anti-advertising, but purely my own experience. The first machine was LG with electronic control. Bought for $300. She served 10 years (2003-2013). In 2013 I bought LG again (and I don’t regret it !!!) The reason for changing to a new one is that the case below has rusted and has already begun to fall apart. I have never used calgon-ebon or other means. And the powders were by no means ariels and tides. Ordinary (normal) powders, such as doshi and myths. In parallel, my aunt bought Indesit, similar in volume and functions, for $500. Management is mechanics. Constantly used calgons-ebons. Washed with tides and ariels. Service life - 5 years! The cause of the breakdown is the heating element.Changed, but after five years - the same tub! We live in the same city. Water hardness is the same. Haha! Draw conclusions...
CITRIC ACID…200g and a 90 degree machine….everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Personal experience. I had an Ardo machine, it served for 10 years, they washed everything in it, brothers, from a great mind, they even washed their locksmith overalls until I saw it. For all the time, only the belt was changed once. I cleaned it twice a year with antiscale and calgon.But in the rented apartment there was a Zanussi typewriter, it served for 20 years !!! it probably would have served further, but its tenants stole it. I suspect that nothing was poured into it during washing. like this.