How to disinfect a washing machine? The best disinfectant for an automatic washing machine

There are several proven ways to disinfect a washing machine. To do this, you need to not only wash the outer parts, but also run a washing program at high temperature, and then also disassemble the drain filter. More detailed information about this can be found in the presented material.

Disinfection measures

If you simply wash the external elements of the washing machine and even do it regularly, such measures are not enough. The fact is that the device is affected by various factors:

• external contamination (dust, dirt);
• scale, lint getting into the heating element, into the filter;
• High humidity can cause mold to appear.

Therefore, disinfection of a washing machine must be comprehensive; the main measures are as follows:

1. Wipe the outer parts regularly with a cloth and detergent.
2. Thoroughly rinse containers for receiving powder and conditioner to prevent drying and dirt from sticking.
3. Rinse the filter and treat it with disinfectants.
4. At the end of each wash cycle, remove any remaining water from the body with a clean, dry cloth.
5. Another point in the instructions on how to disinfect an automatic washing machine involves wiping the door glass with window cleaner.
6. Inspect the device periodically. If there is a smell of mold or other foreign odors, it is necessary to treat with an antiseptic, for example, a solution of potassium permanganate.

What tools can be used

To effectively carry out the treatment, you need to choose the right disinfectant for your automatic washing machine. To do this, you should use both improvised means and professional preparations. Among the most effective are the following:

1. Washing gels and bleaches are good for internal treatment. To do this, the product is poured into a tray (gel 250 ml and bleach 150 ml) and the program is started at a temperature level of 60°C. If it is above 80°C, the washing machine disinfectant effectively eliminates fungi and bacteria.
2. Another option for disinfecting a washing machine is to use citric acid. It fights well against scale, which inevitably forms on the surface of the heating element. The powder is poured into a tray (2 tablespoons or 150 g is possible) and the washing program is started at the highest possible temperature.
3. Bleaching agents that contain acid. These are products such as “Vanish” or “Belle”. Another option for disinfecting a washing machine is the Synergetic preparation.
4. There are also professional products that protect the unit from scale formation. They are quite popular and well known - for example, “Doctor Ten” or “Dr Beckmann”. The composition of the preparations allows for safe disinfection of the washing machine at home.
5. Ordinary alcohol vinegar 9% (or essence 70%, diluted 7 times with water). It is poured directly into the drum (400-500 ml) and then a long wash is turned on at the highest possible temperature.After this treatment of the washing machine, you need to turn it off and let it stand for an hour. Then they start it again in the shortest mode, and after stopping, wipe the internal surfaces with a rag with detergent.

Step-by-step instruction

Typically, the treatment process involves only wiping the outer parts with a detergent using a rag or sponge. But if you describe the complete instructions on how to disinfect an automatic washing machine, it will look like this:

1. Dissolve a little regular detergent for plates and other utensils in a small amount of warm water.
2. Dip a clean sponge or rag with lint in it.
3. Disinfection of an automatic washing machine begins with pulling it out so that there is access from all sides.
4. Wipe all external surfaces of the housing.
5. Next they move to the door. If you are considering how to disinfect an automatic washing machine, in this case it is better to choose a regular window cleaner.
6. Then they move on to processing the heating element and internal surfaces. To do this, pour vinegar, bleach with gel, or add citric acid powder into the tray. Run the longest wash at the highest temperature.
7. The next stage of the instructions on how to disinfect a washing machine is related to the treatment of internal surfaces. It is not necessary to wash them, but after a long wash it is advisable to run a short cycle to wash away any remaining vinegar or other product.
8. Special attention should be paid to the cuff, since water and lint from clothing accumulate in the folds, which can lead not only to dirt, but also to the formation of mold.

Additional actions

The above describes the basic instructions on how to disinfect a washing machine.However, additional, slightly more complex actions should be carried out periodically - rinsing the container for receiving the powder, as well as the drain filter. This is done to disinfect the laundry in the washing machine so that it does not suffer from unpleasant odors, and especially from fungi or bacteria.

The container must be completely removed from the unit; to do this, proceed as follows:

1. Pull it all the way towards you.
2. Inspect the underside and find the retaining teeth there.
3. Lubricate them with oil and pull them by the body (just do not hold them by the handle).
4. Lift it up a little and at the same time towards you.
5. Loosen from side to side and remove.
6. Rinse the tray completely - you can use a regular washing machine disinfectant for this.

It is also necessary to periodically wash the drain filter - it becomes clogged, which causes slow drainage of water, as well as unpleasant odors. To remove a part, proceed as follows:

1. Turn off the power to the machine and close the water tap. Move the unit aside to gain access to the hose.
2. Then they find the hose for filling the liquid and unscrew it, moving counterclockwise.
3. Place a basin and turn the steering wheel all the way.
4. Next, take pliers, take out the filter and rinse it under running water.
5. You can wash the filter with the same product you use to treat your washing machine. It can be disinfected, for example, with Domestos and put in place. Next, assemble all the parts in reverse order.

Now it’s clear how to disinfect an automatic washing machine from fungus. This is not a very complicated procedure, although it must be performed regularly. For disinfection, both improvised means and professional preparations are used.