Cleaning the washing machine with citric acid

Your washing machine needs regular maintenance. If you neglect the simple rules of caring for equipment, this will lead to its breakdown. One of the most common problems with the washer is scale build-up. There are many ways to get rid of it and clean your equipment. It is worth figuring out how to clean the washing machine with citric acid and what to consider in the process.

Advantages and disadvantages of cleaning the washing machine with citric acid

Citric acid is used for cleaning due to its ability to break down mineral deposits. But before you start taking action, you should understand all the advantages and disadvantages of this method. This will allow you to take into account the possible consequences of cleaning and prevent negative points.

Among the advantages of the tool it is worth noting:

1. Budgetary. It is not difficult to find citric acid and it is inexpensive. Therefore, the method is quite economical;
2. Simple to use. No special skills and knowledge are required to carry out cleaning;
3. Efficiency. Dissolution of the powder occurs quickly; when it is washed off, no traces remain. He does his job well. Even if some grains remain inside the machine, they will not harm the clothes;
4. Security. This acid is not corrosive. It is harmless to the human body. Also, the internal component of the washing machine does not suffer from the aggressive effects of the agent. The main thing is to follow all recommendations for use;
5. The ability to get rid of an unpleasant odor. Even a long-standing unpleasant odor disappears with this method.

But this method of cleaning also has negative sides. Among them:

1. If you use too much lemon powder, it can damage rubber seals, hoses. Especially if cleaning is carried out in hot water conditions;
2. Does not always cope with a heavy layer of scale. Then you have to use special, professional means;
3. A citrus scent may appear on clothes after washing. Not everyone likes him.

Citric acid cleaning recipe

When cleaning the washing machine with citric acid, you need to know how much to pour. Excessive quantities may adversely affect some parts of the equipment. The exact amount depends on the size of the machine and the degree of soiling. For an equipment volume of 3-4 kg, about 50 g of acid will be required. This is enough for one procedure. If the machine is designed for 5-7 kg, then the amount of lemon is increased to 75 g.

Note! Lemon juice is not suitable for cleaning. It's all about the acid content in it. It is not enough for high-quality plaque removal.

The acid is used in its pure form.It does not need to be mixed with other ingredients when cleaning.

How to clean a washing machine with citric acid

In order for the procedure to be successful and not harm the washing machine, it is worth following some recommendations:

1. It is worth strictly observing the amount of acid used. Exceeding it can damage equipment parts. Acid in high concentration will corrode rubber or plastic parts. Not completely, but partially spoil them;
2. When cleaning, it is not recommended to switch to the intensive heating mode. Hot water only enhances the negative effect of the product on the parts;
3. One of the best ways to combat scale is to prevent scale formation on a regular basis. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the equipment and control the level of its contamination;
4. Cleaning and maintenance takes place at idle mode. Do not wash your laundry at the same time. In large quantities, citric acid is capable of corroding the woven fibers of materials;
5. When the scale is destroyed, its particles fall into the drain hole. This makes the procedure noisy. If the noise gets louder or the appliance starts to work worse, it is possible that some of the scale is stuck in the drain. It is necessary to stop the process and clean the drain hole.

Cleaning consists of several steps that need to be studied in detail.

Prepare the car

All foreign objects are removed from the drum. It is recommended to wash the rubber gasket. After the washing machine is prepared for the procedure, you need to get citric acid. It has already been noted how much of it is required for different load sizes. If the machine is large and can wash from 7 kg or more things, then the acid should be 100 g.

Pour the acid and turn on the machine

The next step is to load the product into the washer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. The prepared amount of lemon is placed in a drum. It can also be poured into the tray where the powder is added. In the second option, the acid passes completely through the entire machine, removing scale and plaque. Therefore, it is preferable;
2. You can choose any washing program. It is important that the water does not heat up more than 60 degrees. A complete standard wash cycle is set, which also includes spinning and rinsing.

No further action is required. You can leave the unit and wait for the wash to finish. It is also worth placing the drain hose in a basin to make sure how dirty water will drain out of the equipment.

Removing acid residues

When the process is over, you need to remove the remnants of the lemon from the washer. To do this, after the washing process is over, turn on the equipment again in rinsing mode. This will allow you to re-treat the inside of the unit with water and wash out any possible acid and dirt residues.

If there are traces of plaque on the surface, they should be removed with a solution of citric acid and water. In it, a rag is moistened and parts of the washing machine are wiped.

Checking the washing machine

At the end, it is necessary to check the state of the washing machine, whether it is working properly. After that, you need to carefully wipe the drum and rubber gasket so that they become dry.The door is left open overnight. This will completely get rid of any remaining moisture. It is also possible to dismantle the bottom panel to clean the drain filter.

Scale prevention

To avoid serious problems due to scale formation, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive maintenance. There are a number of things you should do to help prolong the life of your washing machine and reduce the chances of thick limescale build-up.

Among the preventive measures:

1. In the absence of the use of special tools, it is recommended to clean the machine using folk recipes annually;
2. After each wash, it is necessary to clean the filters, wipe the components and ventilate the unit;
3. Every few years, they carry out cleaning with a complete disassembly of the equipment;
4. Every six months, it is worth pouring a special agent into the powder compartment and idling the machine.

It is also recommended that you do not choose modes when washing, the temperature of which exceeds 70 degrees. Water that is too hot will adversely affect the condition of the equipment.

Cleaning reviews

Natalia, 28 years old.

- I use citric acid to clean the machine every six months. The temperature is set at 40 degrees, and I turn it on for a full cycle. The remedy is excellent. There are no serious problems with the machine. I carry out this procedure for prevention. No limescale or mildew, the machine is clean inside, it works properly.

Anatoly, 31 years old.

- When I used the lemon method for the first time, I threw in too much acid. As a result of such mistakes, she began to work worse. So I counted the amount of acid used and reduced the amount. I use this method with care.

Anna is 30 years old.

- I buy lemon not in separate bags, but by weight. I just sprinkle the required amount of the product with spoons, and add it to the powder compartment. I turn on the machine and wait for the full cycle to pass. Be sure to repeat the rinse after stopping to remove traces of acid and various contaminants. I am happy with this cleaning method.

With constant use of the washing machine, plaque forms on various parts inside it, dirt accumulates, plaque forms. All this negatively affects the quality of the machine and the duration of its operation. Therefore, it is important to monitor her condition. Citric acid in order to prevent or correct the situation can solve a similar problem.

VIDEO: Cleaning the washing machine with citric acid.