How to clean a washing machine drum

It is simply impossible to do without washing clothes. Doing this manually is difficult due to lack of free time. That is why in every home you can find an automatic machine that allows you to get clean things without any effort.

But in order for it to serve for many years and not create problems, it is important to carry out preventive cleaning in a timely manner to prevent the accumulation of dirt and scale formation. In this article, we will look in more detail at how you can effectively clean the drum of a washing machine and avoid possible negative problems in the future.

How to properly clean the washing machine drum from dirt and scale

As already mentioned, preventive cleaning of an automatic washing machine is extremely important for effectively washing your laundry and maintaining the functionality of the machine itself over a longer period of time.

Experts recommend doing this at least once every 2-3 months. This way you can prevent sudden breakdowns from scale build-up or filter clogging.

And special attention should be paid to cleaning the drum. Some washing machine models have an auto-clean function. However, it is recommended to monitor this process to avoid possible problems in the future.

In fact, there are many ways and means that allow you to do this with minimal effort and financial investment. But within the framework of this article, we will consider only the basic, most common methods.

To clean the drum, you need to pour 100 ml of bleach into it and run a wash program without laundry. The water temperature should be more than 60 degrees. This will not only get rid of dirt, but also eliminate all unpleasant odors.

Citric acid is ideal for getting rid of plaque. You just need to pour a couple of bags into an empty drum and start washing without laundry at the maximum permissible high temperature. If there is a double rinse mode, then you should use it too. Due to this, all the internal elements of your washing machine will acquire their original shine.

Important! After you have completed all the steps to clean the washing machine, leave the door ajar until everything is completely dry. Otherwise, the unpleasant odor will reappear.

How to clean a washing machine drum

You can carry out preventative cleaning of the drum of an automatic washing machine manually or in automatic mode (if such functionality is provided). To do this, you can use both chemicals designed specifically for these purposes, and improvised ones, which are available to almost every housewife: vinegar essence, citric acid, soda, etc. Let's look at some of them in more detail.

Acetic essence is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:3. This product perfectly removes scale from all elements of the washing machine. Its only drawback is the negative impact on rubber elements and the persistence of an unpleasant, pungent odor for quite a long time.

A more gentle remedy is baking soda. With its help you can deal with scale, oils and dirt. The only thing is that you will have to spend some time, since it will need to be rubbed into the surface of the drum manually.

And the most common remedy is citric acid. It not only removes dirt and scale, but also effectively fights fungus and mold. That is why it is so relevant among housewives.

It is also worth noting that today you can find a lot of special cleaning products designed for automatic washing machines. They are able to effectively clean all surfaces, but are quite expensive.

What else should be cleaned in the washing machine?

You can visually assess the condition of the drum walls through the loading hatch. And if you notice scale or rust, then it is likely that the internal elements have also undergone this. In addition to the drum, other elements should be cleaned:

• water heating elements;
• hatch cuff;
• drainage path;
• filters.

The drum can become dirty in several ways. No less rarely, when loading laundry, quite hard particles, sand, small items, paper clips, etc. get into the drum. They create the most favorable environment for the development of bacteria and mold. To prevent this, it is enough to carefully check your pockets before each wash, or better yet, wash each item in a special bag.

No less dangerous are the remaining fat, which gradually turns into a dark sticky coating. As a rule, it is formed during the washing of work clothes that are heavily contaminated with oily substances.

What happens if the drum is not cleaned?

To prevent dirt from getting into the washing machine, you should carefully check all clothing pockets for the presence of any objects in them, and also install appropriate filters on the drain and incoming water. A responsible approach to business and timely implementation of preventive measures can extend the life of your washing machine for many years.

Once you try one of the methods and means presented above, you will be able to see from your own experience that taking care of your washing machine is quite simple and much more cost-effective than making complex, expensive repairs or purchasing a new one due to a breakdown that could have been prevented.

How to prevent dirt from getting into your washing machine

In this article, we examined the main methods and means used to clean the drum from various contaminants. If this is not done in a timely manner, the accumulation of plaque, dirt and grease will lead to the failure of the washing machine. If there are any difficulties or breakdowns, do not try to fix the situation yourself. Call a professional who will clean and repair everything correctly.

An equally common cause of drum contamination is the use of low-quality detergents, which are partially insoluble in water.

Scale forms on the walls of the drum gradually, which ultimately leads to failure of the device.Its main reason is the content of metal salts in water.

To prevent such a negative manifestation, it is recommended to soften the water by adding special products with the powder, as well as install flow filters to purify the incoming water.

What causes the drum to become dirty?

After each wash, it is important to clean the drain filter to remove solid debris and unpleasant odors. Quite often, not only water, but also small debris accumulates in the cuffs. It is important to thoroughly clean these areas and wipe them with a dry cloth. Otherwise, this will contribute to the formation of mold and the development of numerous bacteria. If you did not have time to keep track of this, then the affected area can be treated with professional cleaning products.