How to descale your washing machine

The use of acetic and citric acid for cleaning washing machines seems appropriate only when the car has "nothing to lose."

It happens, you rent an apartment to cheerful students, do not trust them with a new washing machine. In the neighbor’s garage is an old one, he offers to pick it up, only you need to wash it. This is the most suitable occasion for experiments with vinegar and citric acid. If you do not wash such a machine, it will continue to rot in the garage, and acid will give a chance to use it for some more time.

Attention! The use of acetic, citric acid and similar products is associated with a high risk and is extremely undesirable for washers, which are supposed to be used for a long time.

Vinegar Cleaning Instructions

Having made a responsible decision to clean the washing machine with vinegar, follow these steps:

• take a glass (200 ml) of 9% table vinegar; if you have 70% vinegar, pour 5 teaspoons of it in a glass (200 ml), add water to a full glass;
• pour the resulting solution into the powder tray; the machine should be empty;
• select the most intensive program for the highest temperature, run;
• Having waited for heating of water, press a pause;
• soak the machine for up to 90 minutes;
• pause;
• wait until the end of the wash cycle;
• dilute a weak solution of vinegar 3 tablespoons of vinegar 9% or 1 tea vinegar 70% per 1 liter of water;
• it is advisable to wear rubber gloves;
• wipe the drum and cuff with a cloth dampened in a solution of vinegar with water;
• select a short wash program, start an empty washer;
• after washing, you can wipe all the details, the main thing is to leave the machine wide open so that it is ventilated;
• Be sure to thoroughly clean the drain filter.

Benefits of using vinegar to remove scale and odor

The advantages are noticeable from the first application, they make the method so popular:

• vinegar removes unpleasant odors from the drum;
• Helps to easily wipe away stubborn dirt;
• removes scale on the heating element;
• low cost.

Disadvantages of using this method

Deficiencies are often delayed, which is why not all of them are associated with the use of vinegar. They are not as noticeable as advantages:

• the negative impact on the rubber and plastic parts of the machine, they are rough, covered with a coating, fail over time;
• the smell of vinegar is not pleasant for everyone.

Cleaning Instructions Using Citric Acid

A worthy alternative to acetic acid is citric. The fundamental difference is that citric acid can be added directly to the drum. The cleaning method is similar to the previous one:

• at the rate of 15 grams of citric acid for each kilogram of drum capacity, pour the product into a powder box;
• choose an intensive program with a temperature of 60 ° C; it is important that the washing program includes spin;

Attention! Citric acid does not require heating to 90 ° C, it is effective at low temperatures. At high, it can have a devastating effect on the internal parts of the machine.

• start the wash;
• at the end of washing, wipe with a dry cloth to cover, covered with a cuff;
• clean the drain;
• Provide adequate ventilation to the washing machine.

Benefits

The benefits include:

• effective descaling;
• safety for human health;
• low cost;
• nice smell.

Disadvantages

If the amount is excessive or when the temperature is exceeded, it can destroy the rubber and plastic parts of the machine.

What is the difference between cleaning a washing machine from scale with vinegar and cleaning with citric acid?

Both acids are quite aggressive and can cause damage to the machine, however, the difference is as follows:

What do experts recommend using vinegar or citric acid?

Many specialists in the repair of washing machines are quite reserved about cleaning using special tools. It is hard to argue with their arguments:

• the risk of harming the expensive elements of the washing machine (crosspiece), or not so expensive, but requiring complete disassembly of the machine to replace them (bearings);
• the benefits of cleaning are dubious, special tools take care of the heater, drum and cuff;
• a new heater can be bought for 500 rubles;
• the drum and cuff can be washed with clean water or with the addition of gentle detergents (powder, soap) at a temperature of 90 ° C, starting an empty washer with the appropriate program;
• difficult to remove dirt can be wiped with a rag, in especially difficult places you can crawl with a cotton swab;
• it is not so important to wash mold and dirt out of the machine with acetic or citric acid, how much it is important to use it carefully, to ensure sufficient ventilation after each wash.

The use of decalcification

It's hard to believe, but often the car crashes due to the use of professional tools. Having decided to use it, you must carefully study the instructions and act in strict accordance with it.

Firms that produce anti-scale are enough today, having come to the household chemistry store, you can easily choose the right one for yourself.

Basic washing machine care

It is proper care that ensures the long-term operation of the washing machine without serious damage. Care rules do not cause much trouble:

• leave the washer open as long as possible; fungus and mold do not multiply on the dried parts;
• remove the powder tray so that it dries completely;
• periodically wipe the cuff with a damp cloth to remove accumulating dirt;
• when mold forms on the cuff, apply soda to it and leave for several hours, then rinse;
• clean the drain filter regularly;
• 3-4 times a year, start an empty machine for an intensive wash program.