How to descale your washing machine

The use of acetic and citric acid for cleaning washing machines seems appropriate only in the case when the machine has “nothing to lose.”

It happens: you rent out an apartment to cheerful students, but you won’t trust them with a new washing machine. The neighbor has an old one in his garage, he offers to pick it up, he just needs to wash it. This is the most suitable reason for experiments with vinegar and citric acid. If you don't wash such a car, it will continue to rot in the garage, and the acid will give you a chance to use it for some time.

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

Cleaning instructions using vinegar

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

• take a glass (200 ml) of table vinegar 9%; if you have 70% vinegar, pour 5 teaspoons of it into a glass (200 ml), add water until the glass is full;
• pour the resulting solution into the powder tray, the machine must be empty;
• select the most intensive program at the highest temperature, start;
• After waiting for the water to heat up, press pause;
• soak the car for up to 90 minutes;
• press pause;
• wait until the end of the wash cycle;
• dilute a weak solution of vinegar: 3 tablespoons of vinegar 9% or 1 teaspoon of vinegar 70% per 1 liter of water;
• It is advisable to wear rubber gloves;
• wipe the drum and cuff with a rag soaked in a solution of vinegar and water;
• select a short washing program, run an empty washing machine;
• at the end of washing, you can wipe all the parts, 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 use, and they make the method so popular:

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

Disadvantages of using this method

The disadvantages are often delayed, which is why not everyone associates them with the use of vinegar. They are not as noticeable as the advantages:

• negative impact on the rubber and plastic parts of the machine, they become rough, covered with plaque, and eventually fail;
• The smell of vinegar is not pleasant to everyone.

Cleaning instructions using citric acid

A worthy alternative to acetic acid is citric acid.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 per kilogram of drum capacity, pour the product into the powder box;
• select the intensive program with a temperature of 60 °C; it is important that the washing program includes a spin;

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

• start the wash;
• at the end of washing, wipe the growth covered with a cuff with a dry cloth;
• clean the drain;
• Provide sufficient ventilation for the washing machine.

Advantages

The advantages include:

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

Flaws

If used in excess or if 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 car, but the difference is as follows:

What do experts recommend using: vinegar or citric acid?

Many washing machine repair specialists are quite reserved about cleaning using special products. It's hard to argue with their arguments:

• the risk of harming expensive elements of the washing machine (cross), or not so expensive, but requiring complete disassembly of the machine to replace them (bearings);
• the benefits of cleaning are questionable; special products take care of the heating element, drum and cuff;
• a new heating element 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, running an empty washing machine on the appropriate program;
• difficult-to-remove stains can be wiped with a rag, and particularly difficult places can be reached with a cotton swab;
• It is not so important to wash mold and dirt from the machine with acetic or citric acid, but rather to use it carefully and ensure sufficient ventilation after each wash.

Using anti-scale agent

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

Today there are enough companies producing anti-scale agents; when you go to a household chemicals store, you can easily choose the one that suits you.

Basic rules for caring for your washing machine

It is proper care that ensures long-term operation of the washing machine without serious breakdowns. Rules of care will not cause much trouble:

• leave the washer open for as long as possible; fungus and mold will not grow on the dried parts;
• take out the powder tray so that it dries completely;
• periodically wipe the cuff with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dirt;
• If mold forms on the cuff, apply baking soda to it and leave for several hours, then rinse;
• clean the drain filter regularly;
• Run an empty car on an intensive wash program 3-4 times a year.