How and how to clean a washing machine: the best ways + an overview of special tools

Caring for the "insides" of the washing machine

Next, it will be described in detail how to properly care for the insides of washing equipment at home.

How to clean the drain filter in the washer?

After removing scale using one of the described methods, it is likely that its residues will fall into the drain filter. In addition, it is there that small items from pockets, hair, animal hair settle. Clean the filter and hose of the washing machine at least once a month.

Cleaning the drain filter in the washer

First you need to determine where the drain filter is located.It is usually located at the bottom of the front panel of the machine under a plug or protective cover. The lid must be removed after laying a rag on the floor, as residual water may leak out. Then unscrew the filter itself in a counterclockwise direction. We remove all debris from the hole, clean the filter under running water using detergent. Then carefully put it back in place and close the lid.

How to clean the drain hose from dirt in the washing machine?

To clean the drain hose, you must unplug the equipment from the mains and turn off the water. Then the hose is removed (you must first place a container for collecting water under the hose attachment point). You can check the inner surface for contamination with a flashlight. Usually most of the dirt is concentrated at the beginning of the hose, so it is quite easy to clean.

Cleaning the drain hose in the washing machine

You can clean the inner surface with a thin non-metallic cable with a soft brush at the end. We run it inside and, gently scrolling, move it to the end of the hose. Then it must be thoroughly rinsed under running water. If it is not possible to remove the contamination in this way, it is better to change the hose to a new one.

How to clean the filter in the washer?

This filter can gradually become clogged with sand or rust, which leads to a breakdown of the machine - it does not fill with water and refuses to work. You can solve the problem with pliers and a toothbrush.

Filter cleaning

To remove the filter, the procedure is as follows:

• turn off the water;
• we provide access to the rear side of the case, where the inlet hose is connected to the machine;
• unscrew the hose counterclockwise and carefully remove the filter with pliers;
• clean the filter under running water with a toothbrush;
• put it in place, screw the inlet hose clockwise on top.

How to clean the powder container in the washing machine?

You can find out how to properly remove the container from the machine in the instruction manual. Usually it is enough to pull it towards you and gently move it left and right and down until the tray comes out completely. If there is a colored part (usually blue) in the middle compartment, press it and then pull it towards you, holding the tray with your other hand.

Cleaning the powder tray in the washer

We clean the liberated tray from powder residues with any cleaning agent using a sponge (for hard-to-reach places, you can use a toothbrush). You can wash it with a mixture of soda and vinegar already familiar to us. If the contamination is strong, the tray with the applied product can be left to soak for a couple of hours, and only then cleaned.

Then we wipe the container dry and proceed to cleaning the compartment. It is not easy to clean, as it usually has many recesses and protruding parts. Therefore, you can spray the surface with a spray bottle and leave for a while, and then proceed with the cleaning. You can also tidy up the tray compartment with a toothbrush with a paste of soda and water applied to it. Avoid damage to the rubber tube during operation.

How to clean the sealing gum in the washer?

Cleaning the sealing gum is necessary, since it is in it that moisture and dirt most often accumulate, as a result of which mold forms. Cleaning is done with Pemolux or with soda. A vinegar solution will also work. It is better for them to moisten the cloth and wrap it around their finger. This way you will get to all the folds.It is best to do this immediately after washing, when the seal is damp.

Cleaning the rubber seal

Severe pollution will have to be eliminated with the help of special means - Comet, Domestos or Whiteness in a ratio of 1: 1 will do. First, the metal part of the case is wiped with a sponge with the agent applied to it, then the gasket itself. Most of the dirt accumulates from below, but it is advisable to wipe the entire ring. The rubber can be pulled back, but be careful not to damage it. At the end, wipe the gum with a damp cloth.

Quick drum cleaning

To clean the drum of the washing machine, it is enough to run the wash without laundry with the addition of a disinfectant solution.

Drum cleaning

Powder container cleaning

The detergent drawer requires more frequent cleaning.

The narrow channel for supplying detergents quickly becomes clogged with dense crumbs of washing powder, on which a thick conditioner sticks. In conditions of high humidity, colonies of microorganisms and mold form on the outer and inner walls of the container.

Step by step instructions for cleaning the container:

1. Pour warm water and a glass (250 ml) of 9% vinegar into a deep container.
2. Leave for a few hours (at least 2).
3. Then, with a brush (you can use a toothbrush) or a hard sponge, remove the remaining powder and dirt.
4. Rinse the container well under running water and wipe dry.

If traces of mold are visible on the walls of the container, additional processing can be carried out:

1. Apply a mixture of baking soda and water (1:1 ratio) to the sides of the tray.
2. Leave for 2 hours.
3. Remove mold and mildew with a brush or sponge.
4. Rinse the container well under running water and wipe dry.

Filter cleaning

Filters also need periodic cleaning:

jellied

The inlet hose filter becomes clogged with impurities in the water over time. If it is very dirty, the machine stops washing and gives an error that indicates the impossibility of taking water. Once every 5-6 months, the filter must be cleaned.

For this you need:

1. Shut off the water supply to the washing machine.
2. Expand the machine, opening access to the rear.
3. Locate the hose at the top of the housing and unscrew the nut that holds it. This can be done with a suitable key or pliers.
4. Inside the hole is the filter itself in the form of a small mesh.
5. Gently remove it and rinse it under running water, cleaning with a toothbrush.
6. Install the filter in its original place.
7. Screw on the hose.
8. Open water supply.

After that, the machine can be returned to its original position by wiping the back panel with a damp cloth at the same time. If the filter is very dirty, it can be immersed in a container of vinegar for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse with clean water.

The filter may be damaged when dismantled. Therefore, the work must be carried out carefully. Otherwise, it will need to be replaced.

Drain

The drain pump is often clogged with small parts and debris. If you start it, the machine will give an error that indicates that the water cannot drain. The washing process in this case may stop at the stage of transition to rinsing.

To get things out of the drum, you will have to use the emergency drain. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the pump and clean it regularly - at least 1 time in 3 months.

For this you need:

1. Open the door behind which the filter is located. The hatch is usually located in the lower front of the case.
2. Lay a towel on the floor and place a small container into which the water will drain (for example, a baking sheet or a shallow bowl that can hold about 500 ml of water).
3. Unscrew the filter cover and pull it out, draining the remaining water.
4. Remove accumulated debris from the open hole. It can be wool, hair, small details from the decor of clothes, etc.
5. Wipe the hole, screw the lid and hatch.

If there are deposits of lime on the cover or inside where the pump is located, they must be removed. This can be done with cleaning products, or a solution of soda with vinegar.

If the machine gets up during the washing process and refuses to drain the water, you will have to use the emergency drain mode, after which it will be possible to clean the pump.

In modern Samsung models, there is a drain hose next to the filter cover. It is through him that the drain will be carried out. In this case, it is necessary to stock up on several containers, since there can be quite a lot of water.

Draining process:

• remove the emergency hose by gently pulling it towards you;
• remove the plug - it can be hard to come out, it is recommended to remove it with swinging movements;
• lower the hose into a basin or other container;
• wait until the water comes out completely;
• unscrew the filter cover;
• clean it up.

Older models do not have a drain hose. The water drains through the filter cover. In this situation, it is recommended to put a thick cloth under the hatch and slightly open the filter cover. Periodically changing the fabric or wringing out, drain all the water.

Video

We also invite you to watch the video on the topic of the article:

About the author:

She graduated from the Institute of Tourism of the FPU with a degree in Manager, she loves to travel and communicate with people.Interested in psychology, enjoys dancing, studying English. For five years of maternity leave, she thoroughly mastered housekeeping, not forgetting about her own development. Skillfully wields a word, can support a conversation on any topic due to interest in different areas of life.

Found an error? Select it and press the buttons:

Ctrl+Enter

Interesting!

Astronauts, while in Earth orbit, solve the problem of dirty things in an original way. The clothes are dropped from the spacecraft and burn up in the upper atmosphere.

How to clean folk remedies at home?

For cleaning from limescale, it is not necessary to use special purchased products. Even simple homemade recipes give good results.

How to remove with vinegar?

The table bite is not only a food product, but also an effective tool for removing lime from the surface of the tubular heating element and other parts of the washing machine. It will take 400-500 grams of it.

Step by step work:

1. Carefully pour all the vinegar into the detergent drawer.
2. Set the long wash mode with a water heating temperature of + 90ºС, for example, "cotton".
3. Start washing.
4. After washing the machine inside, wipe and ventilate.

Pre-dilution of vinegar with water is not required.

Vinegar Soda

You can clean the machine not only with vinegar alone, but also with soda. The process of removing deposits by this method:

• combine in a separate container ½ cup of soda and vinegar;
• pour the resulting solution into the detergent compartment;
• pour 1 more glass of undiluted vinegar directly into the drum itself;
• set a long wash in hot water;
• start a cycle;
• wipe the drum and rubber parts around the door.

Lemon acid

The use of citric acid to clean the washing machine from scale is a widely popular and very effective method. For this treatment, you will need a large bag of citric acid weighing 100 grams.

Work order:

1. Pour the powder from the bag into the compartment that is designed for washing powder.
2. Set the wash cycle to cotton.
3. Adjust the heating temperature by setting 90-95ºС.
4. Start washing.
5. Wipe and ventilate the drum.

You should not replace citric acid with lemon juice, as the result will be a solution of low concentration that cannot cope with scale. Read more about this cleaning method here.

If the situation is running

In a situation where descaling has not been carried out for a very long time (or never carried out at all), standard methods may not help.

Even if some of the deposits are removed by running the machine with a special solution, a significant layer of scale can remain on the heating element. The solution to the problem will be cleaning the heating element separately.

For this:

1. Carry out a general cleaning according to one of the recipes described above.
2. Remove the top of the washing machine body to expose the tubular heating element.
3. Disconnect the sensor and wires from the heating element.
4. Take out the heating element.
5. The heating element is carefully cleaned with a brush, removing loose lime deposits.
6. From a plastic bottle with a volume of 2 liters, cut off the upper narrow part with a neck.
7. Pour inside 4 tbsp. l. citric acid and add hot water so that the heating element can be immersed in the solution to the very bar.
8. Stir the solution, allowing the acid grains to dissolve in the water.
9. Lower the appliance disconnected from the washing machine inside.
10. Leave the heating element in the solution for at least 10 hours.
11. Clean with a sponge, wipe.
12. Install the heating element in place.

You also need to pay attention to the filter and drain hose. The more scale there was, the more fragments will separate when using home and purchased products.

Large particles may not fall into the drain, but settle, clog the filter and hose, which will also need to be cleaned.

Dedicated washing machine cleaners

Prices for popular washing machines

In order for the equipment to serve for a long time, it is not recommended to make “daring experiments” on it, trying to save on cleaning products, since such “savings” may well lead to more serious expenses.

The table below shows several special compositions for the care of washing machines. Perhaps this information will help the reader to choose the best remedy in all respects.

It should be noted that improper use of special tools can also lead to increased wear of the washing machine.

Therefore, it is very important to carefully study the instructions provided by the manufacturer before using a cleansing powder or gel, and not to exercise unnecessary "amateur"

The best descaling products for washing machines

When choosing, you must carefully read the composition. It must contain acid and components that protect the parts of the washing machine from corrosion and damage. The presence of disinfectants and disinfectants is desirable. These requirements are fully met by the nominees selected by the experts.

Sandokkaebi

Descaler for washing machines "Sandokkaebi" from a Korean manufacturer.The instructions indicate that the powder should be used 1 time in 2 months, but according to reviews, 1-2 procedures are enough for a year. The packaging is quite large - 450 g, but it is designed for only one treatment. Its price is low - does not exceed 200 rubles. The product is intended for washing machines with front and top loading.

If you need to clean the top-loading unit, you need to fill the tank with warm water (+40 degrees) to the top level, dissolve the powder rate in it, start the machine for 5-10 minutes, turn it off, leave it for 90 minutes, and then let the machine work at full cycle. With front loading, the powder is poured into the drum, and the equipment is started on a standard cycle.

Advantages

• Affordable price;
• Large volume of powder;
• Fully Russified label;
• Effectively removes plaque from hard water;
• Suitable for front and top loading.

Flaws

There may be an unpleasant odor.

Nagara

This tool is designed to remove scale in the washing machine. It comes in tablet format, which makes it very convenient. You just need to put the circle in an empty drum and run the technique on the wash cycle. The main requirement is that its duration should not exceed 5 hours. But according to reviews, for high-quality cleaning, the usual rinse is enough, you can make it double.

Nagara is an excellent product for cleaning the washing machine from dirt. The manufacturer claims that the tablets effectively destroy almost 100% of mold and fungal spores that cover the outside of the drum, and also removes all blockages invisible to the eye. That is why after their use any unpleasant odors disappear and a characteristic aroma of freshness appears.

Advantages

• Easy-to-use format;
• Dissolves scale;
• Disinfects;
• Disinfects;
• Affordable price.

Flaws

There are only 5 tablets in the package.

During processing and after it, a strong smell of chlorine appears.

Un Momento

This is an encapsulated product in the form of a liquid masterbatch for dissolving scale on the heating element. The composition of the capsules includes food acids of organic origin, water that has undergone special preparation, and food salts of alkaline metals. Thanks to its gentle yet effective formula, Un Momento removes lime deposits and does not destroy work items.

You need to use the capsules without laundry, that is, with an unloaded drum. You need to put 3 pieces in it. and start washing. The manufacturer advises choosing a program with a water temperature of +60 degrees. Turn off prewash. The cycle must be completed completely. Un Momento, due to high-quality descaling, improves the heat transfer of the heating element and reduces energy consumption.

Advantages

• Safe for humans;
• Non-toxic;
• Increases the service life of the unit;
• Convenient disposable packaging (capsules);
• Suitable for regular preventive cleaning.

Flaws

A small number of capsules per package.