Cleaning an Electrolux washing machine

The washing machine is constantly in contact with water and detergent, but this does not make it clean: the impurities contained in the liquid, along with soap scum, settle on the “insides” of the machine. Dirt is added by room dust, fabric fibers and other debris caught in the drum. All this with high humidity leads to an unpleasant picture - mold, scale and stench.

In order not to contaminate the machine to the point of breakdown and not to risk the health of your household, you need to properly clean the Electrolux washing machine. How often to carry out “cleaning” and in what sequence, we will look in more detail.

Needs thorough cleaning

It is recommended to clean the washing machine regularly, and to carry out a thorough cleaning. Periodic processing of individual parts or elements will not bring a tangible effect - systematicity and complexity are important. Ideally, after each use of the machine you should:

• wipe the drum from soap deposits and remaining moisture;
• wash the detergent tray;
• clean the cuff from stuck dirt and water;
• “walk” with a dry cloth over the body of the washing machine.

In addition to constant “superficial” measures, more “deep” manipulations should be carried out periodically. So, about once every three months it is recommended to unscrew and clean the garbage filter. Every six months - a complete wash of all the insides of the washing machine.

Every three months, Electrolux needs to clean the garbage filter, and every six months - a comprehensive cleaning with a special product.

Comprehensive cleaning of the washing machine from dirt involves running an “idle” cycle with a special product.You can take either a professional store-bought concentrate or use budget folk recipes. In the first case, we pay attention to household chemicals marked “anti-scale”, “degreaser” or “express descaling cleaner”. In the second, we give preference to citric acid, soda, salt and vinegar.

The dosage of the product depends on its composition. You cannot sprinkle concentrate or pour acid into your eyes - only in accordance with the instructions on the package. The cleaner is added to the powder receptacle or directly to the drum, after which the “idle” high-temperature cycle is started.

It is not recommended to leave the washing machine unattended while it is being cleaned. During the cleaning process, accumulated scale can break off in large pieces and get stuck in the drain, threatening the machine. If during the cycle you suddenly hear a sharp sound, a crackling sound or a hum, it means that the program needs to be stopped, the water drained and the garbage filter cleaned. After washing you can continue.

Getting rid of dirt from the main containers

To clean the inside of the Electrolux drum, you need to run a cycle with detergent. Any cleaner is suitable for the latter: citric acid, vinegar, bleach or store-bought chemicals. According to the dosage given on the package, add the composition to the machine and run the program for at least 1.5 hours and with heating at 75-90 degrees. There should be no laundry in the machine.

After cleaning from dirt, it is necessary to rinse the machine twice. Ideally, it is better to enable two quick washes, but you can limit yourself to the “Double Rinse” option. The main thing is that the cleaner, along with the remaining softened dirt and scale, leaves the washing machine.

When using a cleaner, follow the dosage recommended by the manufacturer - excessive amounts of alkali and acid can corrode the machine parts!

The drum can be cleaned manually using the following instructions.

1. Take a sponge or soft cloth and wet it.
2. Run a wet cloth over the drum, moistening its surface.
3. Dip the sponge into the powder or gel.
4. Clean the sides of the drum, paying special attention to the ribs, joints and edges.
5. Close the hatch, leaving the soapy drum for 40-60 minutes.
6. Use a dry cloth to remove dried foam and dirt.
7. Rinse the washer using any idle cycle.

It is better to give preference to comprehensive cleaning, since it will clean not only the drum, but the entire system as a whole. Especially if you use a professional cleaner designed specifically for cleaning the washing machine. A good option is Frisch-Activ concentrate.

To flush a machine with Frisch-Activ, you must:

• pour half of the measuring cup into the powder receptacle, the rest into the drum;
• start a cycle with heating from 75 degrees;
• turn off the drain;
• upon completion of washing, leave the machine with a full drum for 20-30 minutes;
• drain the water;
• run the “Rinse” program twice.

Some modern Electrolux washing machines provide a special “Drum Self-Cleaning” option. When activated, the system cleans the equipment independently, thanks to a specially configured cycle. The user only has to press a button and control the process. For greater effect, you can pour “Frisch-Activ” into the powder receptacle and tank before turning on the function.

Lint filter and drain hose

When carrying out comprehensive cleaning, an obligatory step will be washing the drain filter and drain hose. Ideally, you should plan to clean the entire drain system, including the pump impeller and pipes. This is where all the rubbish that gets into the washer settles and accumulates.

First of all, we assess the condition of the drainage filter, proceeding as follows:

• disconnect equipment from communications;
• put oilcloth and rags around the machine - a lot of water can spill;
• prepare a basin or other large container;
• remove the technical hatch door by squeezing the plastic latches;
• We find behind the hatch a round black plug of the garbage filter;
• We take hold of the existing protrusion and unscrew the nozzle counterclockwise;
• clean the filter from dirt and scale (if necessary, soak the “spiral” in a lemon solution);
• We wash the seat and remove any debris stuck to the walls.

The second step is to pay attention to the drain hose. The corrugation must be carefully disconnected from the sewer and the machine body by loosening the clamps provided, and then rinsed under the tap. If the dirt is very stuck, then you should soak the sleeve in a solution of citric acid for 20-60 minutes.

You cannot unscrew the garbage filter immediately after the end of the high-temperature cycle - you can get burned by boiling water!

Be sure to clean the pump of debris as well. The instructions are as follows:

• turn the machine on the left side (you can’t turn it on the right side - the water remaining in the powder receptacle can leak onto the dashboard and lead to a short circuit);
• clear the bottom and find the pump;
• unscrew the impeller from the pump;
• clean the impeller blades, as well as the volute and the pump itself from debris and deposits;
• return the impeller to the shaft, securing it with bolts.

Some Electrolux washing machines, for example the WISL line, are equipped with an inlet filter. This is a mesh installed in the inlet hose for preliminary purification of tap water. It bears the brunt of scale and rust, so it is important to wash it regularly. To do this, block access to the water supply, disconnect the hose and remove the nozzle with pliers. Afterwards we go over it with an old toothbrush or put it under a strong stream.

Detergent drawer

The detergent tray also needs cleaning. Firstly, the nth part of the powder remains on the walls of the cuvette and hardens. Secondly, impurities from tap water also settle on the surfaces of the compartments. Thirdly, due to high humidity, mold develops here, which in turn leads to an unpleasant odor. All this spreads throughout the machine and is absorbed into the items being washed.

It is advisable to rinse the powder tray after each use of the machine!

To prevent powder buildup and mold growth, the part must be washed regularly. In most cases, it is enough to rinse the container and walk along its walls with a sponge. If there is a strong coating, you will have to soak the tray in lemon solution for several hours, and then scrub it with a brush. If there is too much hardened powder, you should use a plumbing cleaner to treat and clean.

Sometimes the powder receptacle “sticks” to the body of the machine so much that it is difficult to pull it out. In such a situation, comprehensive cleaning will help. We pour the cleaner into the cuvette and into the drum, and then start a single wash.

Do preventative cleaning

Regular cleaning of your Electrolux will extend its life. Timely and proper care will help prevent many breakdowns, overheating of the heating element or clogged drain. The savings are obvious - it is cheaper to wash the machine than to spend money on repairs and replacement of parts.

It is worth remembering that the powder receptacle is considered the “weakest” point of the machine, becoming dirty the fastest. The second place is occupied by the drainage system, where all the garbage and dirt rushes, and the third place is by the drum, which often suffers from soap deposits and clothing dust. It is important to pay sufficient and regular attention to these areas. A dirty machine not only breaks down more often, but also washes worse.

• The surfactants contained in the powders settle on the walls of the drum, forming a sticky film, which is transferred through the water to the clothes.
• Fossilized limescale or powder can break off during washing and, getting into the drum, damage the structure of the fabric, especially delicate ones.
• Mold in the washing machine can end up on laundry and then on the human body.
• Blockages in the pipes and constant deposits on the parts prevent the machine from thoroughly rinsing the laundry; the powder remains in the fabric, causing allergic reactions in humans.

You can protect both your machine and your health by caring for Electrolux. It is enough to regularly wash the tray, drum, hatch glass and cuff, and after cleaning leave the machine open for natural drying. It is advisable to install a filtration system inside and outside. It is also important to use high-quality powders and gels when washing, which dissolve quickly and do not contain dangerous surfactants and phosphates.

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