20 best detergents to clean a washing machine from scale and dirt
Everyday life is quite difficult to imagine without a washing machine, which greatly simplifies the process of washing things. After long term use, many units begin to degrade due to contamination. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with how you can clean your washing machine at home and what you need to do it.
What and why to clean in the washing machine
First you need to know what to clean and why to clean the automatic machine. It's no secret that water can contain large amounts of calcium and magnesium salt. During the heating process, these elements precipitate, which leads to the formation of scale on the washing elements. The scale layer directly depends on the water temperature and the frequency of washing. This leads to the following unpleasant consequences:
- Water heating deceleration. The water begins to heat up slowly if sediment begins to accumulate on the heating element, which is responsible for heating the liquid.
- Increased electricity consumption.When the water is heated, the washer will begin to consume more electricity.
- Heating element overheated. In case of strong pollution, the heating element heats up faster, which leads to its further degradation.
Self-cleaning
If scale deposits form, begin cleaning immediately.
Clean the heating element from scale
Most often you have to deal with cleaning the heating element, on which the plaque appears. There are several cleaning methods, the features of which should be familiarized with.
Improvised means
If there is not a lot of ladder, you can get rid of it with improvised means.
Tribasic carboxylic acid and citric acid
The simplest method is the use of citric acid. Before using it, you need to decide how much acid to pour, so as not to damage the heating element. It is necessary to mix 50 grams of the substance with two liters of water. Then the heating element is added to the container with the solution. It should be soaked in liquid for about 20-25 hours. After that, it is taken out of the container with citric acid, washed with water and dried.
table vinegar
This is a fairly simple method, since when using it, the heating element should not be removed from the washing machine.
First you need to clean the drum of the machine and fill the container for the powder with vinegar. No more than one hundred milliliters of liquid are added. Then you need to start the washing machine and set the washing mode with the maximum water heating temperature and the operating time of about two hours. After 5-10 minutes after switching on, the machine is turned off and left alone for 1-2 hours. Then it is turned on again until the end of the washing cycle.Next, you will need to manually clean the drain filter of debris that has exfoliated from the heating element.
Baking soda and vinegar
Remove all items from the drum before using the baking soda and vinegar solution, as acetic acid can damage fabric. Then you need to mix 300 milliliters of vinegar and 80 grams of baking soda with 450 milliliters of water. The prepared mixture is added to the drum, after which the washing machine turns on for an hour and a half of operation in normal mode. At the end, the drum is wiped from the remnants of debris.
"Whiteness" and other products containing chlorine
Some experts recommend using "Whiteness" or any other chlorine-containing means. 700 milliliters of the agent are poured into the tray to add the powder, after which the temperature is set on the washing machine to 80-85 degrees. After that, the machine is started and turned off after 20 minutes. After 2-3 hours it is turned on again and turned off only after an hour and a half. Then you need to clean the drum and vent the washer.
Copper sulfate
To prepare a solution from copper sulfate, add 30-40 grams of the substance to a liter of water. The liquid is poured into a drum or detergent compartment. In order for copper sulfate to get on the heating element, you need to turn on the washing machine for half an hour. After cleaning, wipe the drum with a dry cloth.
Specialty chemicals
There are several chemicals that can help clean your mower, even if it's heavily scaled.
Topper 3004
A Topperr 3004 special tool will help descale the machine components. It is a German drug that is available in small 250-300 milliliter bottles. Such a bottle is enough to carry out two cleanings of the heating element.
Topperr 3004 is poured into the laundry drum. Then the machine is turned on and not turned off for two and a half hours. After washing, the compartment for belongings must be wiped manually to remove limescale residues.
Schnell Entkalker
Another German cleaning agent that is often used to remove scale in the washer. Schnell Entkalker is produced in large containers, the volume of which reaches 500-600 milliliters. One bottle is enough to clean 4-5 times.
Schnell Entkalker is poured into the powder compartment in an amount of 150 milliliters. Then the machine is transferred to normal operation for 1-2 hours. After the washing cycle is completed, you should carefully inspect the drum and, if necessary, clean it from debris.
Antitalk for washing machine
Antitalk for Washing Mashines is considered the best tool for removing limescale formed on the surface of heating elements. Regular use of such a liquid not only cleans the parts of the washing machine, but also extends its life.
To get rid of plaque, Antitalk for Washing Mashines is poured into the wash drum. Then the washing mode is set without laundry for 2-4 hours. After the program is finished, the rinse mode is activated to rinse off the remaining detergent.
Magic power
You can remove plaque and restore the surface of the heating element using German Magic Power detergent. It is a versatile liquid used to clean all machine components where scale can form.
Magic Power is added to the drum in an amount of 100-120 milliliters. Then a mode is set in which the water should be heated to 70-80 degrees. After turning off the machine, open the door and check for debris in the drum compartment.
Beckman
You can use Beckmann detergent to remove limescale from the heating element of the washing machine. This detergent composition is distinguished by its versatility, which allows it to be used not only for cleaning washing machines, but also other household appliances. Beckmann is sold in a half-liter canister.
One bottle is enough to perform the cleaning procedure 2-3 times.
To get rid of limescale, Beckmann is poured into the laundry drum. After that, the machine is turned on for 1-2 hours at a water temperature of 40-50 degrees. At the end of the washing programme, the drum compartment is descaled.
Filter 601
It is a highly effective white powder formulation. Each package contains 3-4 bags of detergent. Filtero 601 must be diluted with water before use. For this, a sachet of powder is added to a liter of warm liquid. The prepared mixture is poured into the washing machine, after which the rinse mode is activated.
"Doctor TEN"
Cleaning the electric heater can be carried out using the detergent composition "Doctor TEN". It is a fairly effective tool that allows you to get rid of traces of limescale on any household appliance. Produced by "Doctor TEN" in large plastic containers, the volume of which is 500-600 milliliters. Such a bottle is enough for 5-6 uses.
"Anti limestone"
This tool is considered universal, as it helps to remove scale even from dishes.To clean the heating element, "Antinakipin" is poured into the compartment for washing powder. Then turn on the machine so that the cleaning agent penetrates the internal components of the washer.
Manual cleaning
The manual cleaning method is considered the most effective, since it allows you to completely remove scale from the surface of the heating element. To access the heating element, you will need to remove the back of the machine. Then it is necessary to gently rub the surface of the heating element with a damp brush until the traces of scale disappear.
We wash the drum
Over time, the drum of the washing machine gets dirty and therefore needs to be washed. To wash the inside of the drum compartment and clean it from dirt, you need to run the washing machine in standby mode. At the same time, a mixture of citric acid and disinfectant detergents is added to it. The drum eraser will need to be cleaned by hand. To do this, fill it with warm water and wipe it with a cloth.
We clean the filter and the drain pipe
The drain hose and filters are constantly dirty and clogged with debris. This causes an unpleasant odor to come out of the washer.
In order not to encounter an unpleasant smell, it is necessary to periodically clean the pipe with filters. Remove the front panel before rinsing them. Then the filter is removed, which is washed in a container with soapy water. After that, the pipe is disconnected from the siphon and the sewer pipe. It is purged with a compressor and rinsed under water pressure.
We wash the container for the powder
Due to the constant contact with water, the tray becomes covered with a rough coating.
lemon acid
Citric acid is considered an effective anti-plaque agent.It is mixed with lukewarm water and then poured into a tray. It is soaked for about 20-30 minutes, after which it is wiped with a cloth and washed with warm water. If there are plaque residues on the coating, the procedure is repeated.
A soda
You can also use a baking soda solution to clean the powder container. To prepare it, add 100 grams of soda and 80 milliliters of vinegar to a liter of water. The tray is removed from the machine and placed in a container with soda liquid for 40 minutes. After that, the remaining plaque is carefully wiped from its surface.
Rust cleaning
Sooner or later, traces of rust will appear on the washer, which will therefore need to be removed. To do this, the corroded surface will need to be wiped with sandpaper. After that, wipe off any debris that may remain after grinding with a rag. The wiped coating is treated with a special zinc primer, which prevents the spread of corrosion.
We clean the case and the door
If you rarely clean the bathroom, you will have to wipe the door and the body of the washing machine from dust and dirt. If the surface is not too dirty, it can be cleaned with ordinary heated water. However, if it is covered with stubborn old stains, you will need to use detergents.
Washing machine maintenance rules
The washing machine should be properly maintained and should not get heavily soiled. It is necessary to periodically clean the machine, both inside and outside. Experts advise to carry out maintenance at least twice a year.
You should also carefully use the washing machine. It should not be overloaded, since exceeding the maximum allowable number of things leads to breakdowns.
Answers to common questions
There are several common questions among washing machine owners.
- Can dirty clothes be put in the washing machine?
It is impossible to store things in the drum for a long time, as this will cause an unpleasant smell inside, which is difficult to get rid of.
- Can I wash clothes in hard water?
It is possible to wash clothes in such water, but this will negatively affect the condition of the machine. Over time, the scale will appear on its components, therefore, if there is hard water in the water supply system, the washer will need to be connected to special filters.
Conclusion
Over time, the washer gets dirty and needs to be cleaned. Before that, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of cleaning washing machines and the rules for maintenance.