Disinfecting a washing machine at home
The washing machine requires constant maintenance, because this is one of the components of the smooth operation of the equipment. Unpleasant odors, mold, and microorganisms are contrary to hygiene standards, and therefore it is necessary to regularly clean machine parts. There are various means for this, which ones are best suited, and how to properly disinfect the machine, we will tell you in this article.
Cleaning the machine from germs and bacteria
Disinfection is a series of activities that help disinfect objects from parasites and germs. The washing machine has a rather favorable environment for the development of such microbes, especially where water accumulates: in the tank, in the filter, in the tray, under the cuff. That is why it is necessary to disinfect and regularly clean the machine.
Disinfection of the machine should include the following measures:
- washing and removing dirt from the external parts of the machine;
- washing filters;
- descaling;
- cleaning from mold and odor;
- disinfection from microbes.
Cleaning products: use them correctly
The outside of the machine is easiest to wipe and wash. To do this, take a soft-lint cloth and soak it in a weak solution of water and dishwashing detergent. Then wipe the front wall and hatch door. The second time they wipe the machine with a dry cloth. The sunroof glass can be wiped with the glass cleaner you are used to using.
Dry powders and abrasive substances cannot be used to clean the body of the machine, and chlorine-containing products cannot be used.
To prevent an unpleasant odor from appearing in the machine and to ensure that the drain works well, it is necessary to regularly wash the drain filter. This should be done at least once a month. It is located under the lower front panel of the machine and unscrews counterclockwise. Residual water may leak out of the hole, so be sure to place a cloth under the machine. The filter must be washed with detergent under running water. To disinfect, you can wash it in water with Domestos added.
It is imperative to wash the powder tray; bacteria can develop on it and mold may appear. The tray must be pulled out of the machine by pressing the latch and pulling it towards you. If the tray is too dirty, you should soak it in water with some detergent for 1-2 hours, and then clean it with an old toothbrush. If there is yellow limescale deposits, then baking soda or soda ash can clean it well. You can also disinfect the tray in water with Domestos.
For your information! After each wash, the powder receptacle must be rinsed and wiped with a dry cloth.
Don't forget to clean the hole under the tray. Powder can also settle there and fungus develops. Use a sponge and detergent to wash away all the dirt and then wipe with a dry cloth.
To clean your washing machine from unpleasant odors and mold, you can use citric acid and soda. Clean the drum and cuff with soda. Using a soft sponge, apply slightly damp soda to the inner surface of the drum and cuff. The cuff must be extended. After half an hour or an hour, clean the drum and cuff with a sponge, rinse everything thoroughly and wipe dry. Acetic acid will help to cope with unpleasant odors and most microbes; its use is described in the article. how to clean a washing machine with vinegar.
However, vinegar may leave a specific smell in the washing machine, which can be removed by long rinsing with conditioner.
And another important procedure is disinfecting the washing machine from the inside. This procedure involves not only getting rid of fungus, but also infectious bacteria and viruses (influenza, hepatitis, tuberculosis bacillus and others). You can only disinfect your machine from bacteria using special means. Chlorine and products based on it cope well with infections.
Many housewives tried to disinfect the washing machine at home by pouring Domestos, ACE, Belizna and similar products into it, noting that nothing happened to the machine. However, we would not recommend pouring such aggressive chemicals into the washing machine. Chlorine should only be used in extreme cases where there is a real risk of infection or virus. In other cases, there are more gentle and effective ways to get rid of bacteria.
For example, any oxygen-containing bleaches (Vanish, Velvet, Synergetic, Belle) also have disinfecting properties. This means that regular washing with the addition of such bleach will disinfect the washing machine from the inside. Among the specialized products for cleaning the machine from scale, bacteria and mold, you can use:
- Dr. Tan Antibacterial;
- Dr. Beckman;
- Disinfectant from the Korean company SANDOKKAEBI.
To disinfect the machine, you can start washing cotton kitchen towels by pouring 100 ml of Multidez-Teflex disinfectant for washing into the powder compartment. This product kills the bacteria of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, adenovirus, HIV, and polio. It does not cause allergies and is safe for humans.
Disinfection during the washing process
In fact, disinfection of the machine at home is carried out not only with the help of chemicals, but also during the washing itself. Some microorganisms and bacteria die at water temperatures ranging from 600C. So, for example, to get rid of dust mites or active forms of microbes, it is enough to run any of the modes: “Cotton 60” or “Synthetics 60”.
Whirlpool washing machines have a special “Antibacterial” mode, in which the water heats up to 800C and maintains this temperature for 15 minutes. Machine models from the Miele campaign have a “Hygiene-Cotton” mode, in which the water temperature is 600C lasts about 60 minutes. In addition, for disinfection, you can run the “Boiling” mode, it will help kill the dysentery bacillus.
You can get rid of bacteria by turning on the steam function, which is present in machine models from LG, Daewoo and Whirlpool. Silver ions kill microorganisms; a similar disinfection technology is used in washing machines from Samsung and Daewoo.
A new product among household appliances is the Haier WasH20 B automatic washing machine. During washing, electrolysis occurs in such a machine, that is, the breakdown of water into ions and cations. And cations kill microbes at normal temperatures and without chemicals.
Thus, partial disinfection of an automatic washing machine can be carried out even during the washing process. To completely disinfect equipment, you need to thoroughly rinse all removable parts (filters, powder receptacle, drain hose), and also start washing with one of the special disinfectants. Constant care and timely cleaning will protect the machine from mold, unpleasant odors and lime deposits.
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5 reader comments
Useful information, thanks.
Thanks a lot!
You cannot use citric acid, it destroys the crosspiece.
Exactly! And all cleaning products for machines contain it. Plus, acetic acid is also an acid! Among other things, acids damage rubber and silicone seals, making them hard where they are not needed. Therefore, it is worth remembering that changing the heating element, for which the machine is usually cleaned, is not as expensive as the cross of a washing machine, or even the entire unit.
I agree about acids! Since it is a rare manufacturer that even makes parts from aluminum, but mostly silumin, it can be dissolved even with vinegar!