Various large household appliances greatly facilitate the life of a person. A washing vacuum cleaner helps keep the house clean, a washing machine helps keep clothes clean. But in the process of operation, the equipment itself needs care. Sooner or later, every housewife wonders how to clean the drum of a washing machine from dirt. The simplest thing is to use special household chemicals. But there are other equally effective ways to get rid of dirt.
Why does limescale and dirt appear in the washing machine?
Dirt, wool, sand get into the car along with clothes and tap water. The hardness of water is due to the content of a large amount of mineral s alts in it. The intensity of scale formation on the tubular heater (TEN) depends on the degree of water heating. Manufacturers of large household appliances take this moment into account and create programs in which stains are washed at a temperature of 40-50 ° C. Developments allowreduce scale formation, but not completely prevent it. And mineral deposits appear on the heating element of the Ardo, Zanussi or any other washing machine over time.
The low temperatures of the wash cycles are not sufficient to break down complex lipid compounds (fats). They settle on all surfaces of the drum, especially on its relief surface, under the rubber seal and accumulate with each wash.
Surfactants, which are the basis of laundry detergents, also do not completely dissolve in warm water and, unlike mineral s alts, crystallize at temperatures below 75 °C. The resulting coating from the washing powder even more delays the pile, small particles of sand, dirt grows like a snowball.
Using citric acid
There are several ways to clean the drum of a washing machine from dirt. The simplest thing is to buy special products for the care of household appliances. You can use improvised means, they are no less effective, but much cheaper.
If you carefully study the composition of cleansers, you will notice that their main active ingredient is citric acid. So why not use it in its purest form? When applied correctly, the acid will easily remove greasy and limescale deposits.
Instructions for cleaning the drum of a washing machine with citric acid looks like this:
- Any cleaning procedures are carried out without the presence of laundry in the drum, i.e. "idle".
- To the detergent compartmentpour citric acid at the rate of 15 g per kilogram of laundry, i.e. if, for example, the maximum load of laundry is 4 kg, then 60 grams of a crystalline substance will be needed.
- Set any of the classic modes, which provides for a washing temperature of at least 60 degrees. The substance dissolves at 18°C, but reacts at 55°C. If cleaning the machine for the first time, it is better to set the maximum temperature.
- After the end of the program, all accessible surfaces - the drum, the rubber band, the inside of the door - are wiped with a clean cloth, at the same time removing any remaining solid particles.
The frequency of cleaning procedures depends on the washing programs and the frequency of their implementation. But based on the recommendations of experts, the procedure should be carried out at least three times a year.
Benefits and methods
Cleaning the drum of a washing machine with citric acid has undeniable advantages:
- Crystal powder has a low cost, the method is considered cheap.
- "Lemon" is a food product. After the cleaning procedure, you can immediately start washing without fear that the remnants of the substance that got on your clothes will harm your he alth, for example, cause allergies.
- The method of removing dirt and scale is easy to use, the main thing is to correctly calculate the amount of acid.
Despite all the benefits, citric acid should be used with caution. Frequent use may damage rubber bands and other components.
How to wash the drum of a washing machine from dirt withusing baking soda
By chemical structure, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a s alt with the properties of a weak acid. Today, there are many effective recipes for cleaning tableware from dirt with soda. The drum of an automatic washing machine can also be cleaned with sodium bicarbonate.
Cleaning technique:
- Pre-wearing gloves, mix soda with water in a separate container in a ratio of 1:1.
- The resulting slurry is applied to places where dirt accumulates: drum (especially its ribbed surface), cuff folds, powder compartment.
- Soda solution is left for 10 minutes. If left for a longer time, the soda will crystallize and will have to be moistened with water again.
- Use a soft cloth to gently clean dirty areas. Rub gently, otherwise the surface may be damaged.
- Close the lid and set the Rinse program.
- After completion of the operating mode, the internal and external surfaces are treated with a clean, damp cloth.
How to clean the drum of a washing machine from dirt with "Whiteness"
Sodium hypochlorite is widely used in household chemicals in bleaching, cleaning and disinfecting products. The substance is the basis of "Whiteness" - a means by which you can get rid of unnecessary deposits on the inner surface of household appliances.
Before you learn how to clean the drum of a washing machine from dirtchlorine-containing agent, you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the method:
- Chlorine is an aggressive substance, frequent use (more than twice a year) can damage equipment.
- Bleach vaporizes harmful substances. Cleaning should be done with the windows open to avoid poisoning.
- After cleaning, do not immediately wash baby or underwear. Remaining chlorine particles can irritate delicate skin.
White Cleaning Technique
To clean the machine from dirt, do the following:
- Pour 200 ml of "White" into the powder tray and set the mode to "Cotton 90".
- After the end of the program, set the "Rinse" mode. Means come with different concentrations of chlorine. In some cases, it makes sense to repeat the "Rinse" mode.
- After the program is completed, the surface of the washing machine drum is treated with a clean cloth.
How to get rid of the smell
The accumulation of dirt in certain places leads to the appearance of an unpleasant smell in the washing machine. Microorganisms brought with clothing get into heat and moisture, which are a favorable environment for reproduction. Their active development can become a source of not only smell, but also infection. Most often, bacteria are localized in the following places:
- Powder compartment.
- Rubber seal.
- Tan bottom.
- Drain filter.
- Connecting hoses.
Smell is eliminated along with dirt. Various acids and chlorine completely kill pathogenic microorganisms. With regular cleaning of the washing machine, there will be nowhere for bacteria to multiply, and therefore, there will be no source of an unpleasant odor. If the smell persists after cleaning, it makes sense to replace some parts, such as the connecting hose between the machine and the sewer or the drain filter.
Cleaning dirt under elastic band (cuff)
Dirt usually accumulates in various places that are not very accessible. They are not conspicuous, and therefore the processing of such an area is rarely carried out. The accumulated impurities not only stain clothes with a new wash and emit an unpleasant odor, they contribute to the destruction of equipment parts.
Most often dirt accumulates under the rubber band of the washing machine drum. If it is not removed from there, then the cleaning of other parts becomes in vain. The cuff needs to be cleaned even more regularly than the drum cleaning.
To clean the cuff, any familiar household chemicals will do. The use of chlorine-containing products should be carried out with protective gloves. Also, do not forget that chlorine is aggressive, its frequent use can destroy the surface of the gum.
Cleaning the O-ring is as follows:
- Apply a little cleaning agent to a damp sponge and begin to wash all the bends of the elastic.
- In a top-loading machine, dirt accumulates mainly at the bottom of the hatch. The elastic must be pulled back and carefully processed eachside.
- Seals in a washing machine with a vertical drum are equally dirty all around. However, powder particles may remain on the inside and should be cleaned more thoroughly.
- Hard-to-reach parts are cleaned with a toothbrush.
- After applying household chemicals, the surface must be carefully treated with a clean cloth, constantly rinsing it in running water.
Cleaning the Powder Tray
Incorrect calculation of the amount of powder leads to its accumulation in the tray. The amount increases with each wash. Tray contamination leads to blockage of the passage between the drum and the powder compartment. As a result, the detergent at the time of washing is supplied in insufficient quantities, the stains are removed poorly, you have to repeat the procedure or wash it by hand. Also, the opening through which the tap water enters may become clogged.
Therefore, you need to know not only how to clean the drum of the washing machine from dirt, but also how to care for the tray. The compartment is washed under running tap water, after pulling it out of the device. The extraction scheme differs depending on the download type:
- In a machine with a horizontal drum, pull out the tray until it stops and slightly press on the upper part of the compartment located in the middle (the part usually differs in color).
- Top-loading machines are equipped with clip-on fasteners on the container. They must be unfastened and pull the tray towards you. In rare cases, it is built-in, you need to wash it on the spot.
Care Tips
If you do not take care of the equipment, it will turn from an assistant into a source of problems. The instructions for washing machines "Ardo", "Whirlpool" and other manufacturers contain detailed instructions, following which, you can prevent the accumulation of dirt in the drum, tray and other parts for a long time. You can also use some tips:
- The amount of powder used should correspond to the manufacturer's recommendation for a particular program.
- After washing is completed, the laundry is immediately removed from the drum.
- Dirty laundry should be stored in a special basket, not in the machine.
- After each wash, wipe the door and seal with a clean cloth.
- Regularly carry out a “blank” wash with anti-calc.
- If the technique has become noticeably worse in coping with the task, you should call the master, without waiting until it breaks down completely.
How to prevent scale formation
As you know, it is better not to solve any problem, but to prevent it. The following steps will help reduce scale formation:
- Install filters at the water inlet of their water supply. They need to be changed regularly, depending on the hardness of the water. In homes with older plumbing systems, filters should be changed more frequently.
- Carry out a preliminary cleaning of dirt from clothes with a dry brush.
- Checking pockets for debris.
- It is recommended to use special water softeners such as Calgon when washing.
In the technology of the new generation there is a special program designed to clean the drum. Such models are much more expensive. The washing machine drum cleaning function removes dirt, but not limescale.
Conclusion
During operation, dirt and scale inevitably accumulate. This leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor, poor washing quality, rapid wear and tear of the machine. In order for the washing machine to remain a faithful assistant for a long time, it needs careful care.
