Everyone has seen the advertisement where the repairman comes to fixwashing machine, mercilessly saws it apart and takes out for all to see the heating element, thickly covered with flakes of scale. And then, like a panacea for the misfortune, a scale remover appears on the screen in close-up, which is strongly recommended to be added to each wash. But the master does not warn that the price of the product is such that the money spent on it for a couple of years will allow you to buy a new washing machine. The master also does not tell you how this product works. But if you carefully read the composition of the package, it becomes clear that the main component is acid, which reacts with the salts that make up the scale. It turns out that any scale remover can be replaced by cleaning the washing machine with citric acid. Before talking about how this method works, let's try to figure out what scale is and where it comes from. There is such a characteristic of water as its hardness - a set of physical and chemical properties of water that are associated with the content of alkali metal salts dissolved in it - magnesium and calcium. And the more of these salts in the water, the higher its hardness coefficient. And the worse for the washing machine. Because when heating water with heating elements, these salts break down into carbon dioxide and sediment, which is scale. Manufacturers advertise washing powders that prevent the formation of limescale. These powders soften the water, as they contain acid. It is this acid that reacts with scale during washing and dissolves it. Cleaning the washing machine from scale with citric acid is an effective way to clean the heating elements from scale. Cleaning occurs when the machine is spinning idle with cleaning agents. This method is much cheaper, but no less effective. Cleaning the washing machine with citric acid is very simple: pour two hundred grams of citric acid into the laundry tank and set the main wash program, including the maximum temperature. When the machine is running in this mode, citric acid cleans not only the heating element, but also the surfaces of the drum and tank. Citric acid, entering into a chemical reaction with scale, dissolves salts, and the heating element is cleaned. For greater effect, you can also add two hundred grams of bleach. In this case, it is advisable to open all the windows in the apartment while the machine is running to ensure good ventilation. Because there is a violent release of caustic chlorine vapors that irritate the mucous membrane and respiratory tract. But after such cleaning, your machine will shine with a pristine shine, and the laundry that you will wash in your machine after this will not become stained and acquire a grayish tint. Experts recommend repeating this procedure once every two months. The only "but": the acid not only destroys limescale, but also gradually corrodes the rubber parts of the washing machine.
Using filters
You can clean your washing machine with other tools too.methods. The physical method is based on the use of different water softeners. Such softeners can be water softener filters and water converters installed on the water pipe. A magnetic softener is designed to remove magnesium and calcium salts from water, thereby preventing scale from forming on the walls of the tank and the heating element. Magnetic softeners break down the molecules of these salts using strong magnets. When water treated in this way is heated, scale does not form. The disadvantage of this method is its relative high cost. But the advantages of this method outweigh this disadvantage. The method is simple and convenient - after all, having installed a water softener in your home, you will forget about the problems caused by hard water for a long time. Another means of softening water is a mechanical filter with a replaceable cartridge, which is also called a sediment filter for water. It serves to purify water from various impurities: rust, sand, and so on. This prevents clogging of pipes, wear of plumbing, and breakdowns of household appliances. The degree of scale formation on the heating element directly depends on the degree of heating of the water. This is taken into account by manufacturers of washing machines. Therefore, new washing programs are developed that operate at a temperature of 40-50 ° C. In addition, such programs serve not only to prevent scale formation on the heating elements, but also to save electricity. The durability of the heating element directly depends on the load with which the washing machine operates. When washing old, worn-out linen, the heating elements become coated with scale much faster. This happens because the smallest particles of fabric create a favorable environment for limescale deposits. In addition, many counterfeit washing powders have appeared on the market, which harm not only the heating element, but also the entire washing machine as a whole. If you want to save on repairs to the washing machine, and at the same time on electricity - choose modes with minimum optimal heating temperatures for washing things. Use certified washing powder and softener filters.
Fungus and mold in the washing machine
Black mold and mildew in washing machine –is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. At the first sign of mold in the washing machine, wipe its entire interior with a soda solution. To do this, mix a glass of soda in a glass of water. If this does not help, try using household chemicals. Add any chlorine-containing detergent to the machine and set it to boil for half an hour. As a rule, chlorine helps remove fungal spores. Copper sulfate can also be used for these purposes. If none of the remedies help, you need to replace the parts of the washing machine affected by the fungus to prevent it from spreading throughout the entire unit. This can be done in specialized workshops.
Care of the washing machine
Washing machines should not only be cleanedscale, but also to take care of all its parts. One of the most common malfunctions is the clogging of the mesh through which water is supplied to the machine. To eliminate it, turn off the water supply to the washing machine, disconnect the supply hose and clean the mesh with a brush. Then reassemble the structure, carefully monitoring the correct installation of the hose and mesh. The drain pump should also be cleaned regularly. It gets clogged with small foreign objects - feathers, lint, etc. When loading laundry into the washing machine, be sure to remove debris from the pockets of clothes, and feathers and fluff from duvet covers and pillowcases. If the drain pump gets clogged, clean it immediately. For this purpose, there is a special hole in the machine body for cleaning the pump. It should be cleaned after the complete end of washing and draining of water from the machine. External cleaning of the washing machine is carried out with a soap solution or any other mild agents. Never use solvents, chlorine-containing chemicals, abrasive powders for these purposes. With the help of soft substances, the body of your washing machine and its control panel can be kept in excellent condition. After cleaning the machine from scale, dirt, rust and dust, wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth. With proper care, your washing machine will serve you for a very long time and you will not have to make expensive repairs. We recommend reading:
