Washing machine stinks after cleaning with citric acid
It’s a shame and incomprehensible when the unpleasant odor after cleaning with citric acid only intensifies and develops into a stench. It turns out that the acidic powder, which was supposed to remove all the fumes and dirt, had the opposite effect and worsened the situation? It is unlikely, most likely, the technology was broken or the cause of the stench was determined incorrectly. But there is no need to despair and doubt the effectiveness of the lemon juice. It is much more effective to permanently deal with the problem and help the washer return its neutral smell.
Why does it smell stronger after drinking lemon?
If after cleaning the washing machine emits a terrible aroma, then the citric acid must be eliminated immediately. Unlike the sharp-smelling vinegar, lemon can only “reward” the machine with light citrus notes. Most people like this smell, and it can hardly be classified as unpleasant. Most likely, the reason for the stench lies elsewhere.
As practice shows, an increase in the initial odor indicates that the concentration of citric acid was not enough. An alkaline solution perfectly dissolves fatty deposits, dirt, lime deposits and kills bacteria, but only a sufficient dosage is needed for a brilliant result. If the amount of lemon was less than normal, then only the top layer of contamination will be revealed, and the fetid “insides” will not be completely washed out. It is logical that the disturbed fetid remains will smell worse than the fossilized ones.
After “lemon” cleaning, it is not the product that smells, but the dirt remaining in the machine.
There is a way out - repeat the cleaning with citric acid or a stronger cleaner.It’s not for nothing that experts recommend cleaning the washing machine with 2-3 cycles in a row. If the machine has not been cleaned for a long time and is covered with a thick layer of scale, then at least 4 visits will be required. For the subsequent preventive “run” of the washing machine, one time is enough, and the procedure is carried out every three months.
If repeated cleanings do not help
If after 3-4 cycles with lemon juice the washing machine still stinks, then the problem is not dirt or mold. Citric acid is useless only if the machine is not properly connected to the sewer and, during operation, “sucks” sewage into the drum. There is always foul-smelling water in the tank, making it impossible to wash or even be near the equipment.
To combat the stench, you need to properly connect the drain hose to the sewer pipe. If the connection was not made according to the instructions and the hose was raised to an insufficient height, then a difference in pressure occurs when water is drawn in and drained. Restoring the balance, the washing machine takes part of the liquid from the outside, pouring sewage into the drum. This situation is not uncommon, it is called the siphon effect and can be solved by adjusting the drainage.
Sometimes the cause of the smell cannot be determined and the only option left is to contact a service center for advanced diagnostics.
Or maybe you're not cleaning it correctly?
Before turning to professionals, you should once again evaluate the work done. Perhaps the washing machine stinks due to improper cleaning. The number of cycles is not the only important parameter: the heating temperature of the water, the set spin cycle, the dosage of the product and the duration of the program are also significant.
Proper cleaning with lemon juice necessarily includes:
checking the drum for forgotten items;
adding acid to the drum or tray in the required dosage (as a rule, 60 g are required for a 4 kg drum, and from 100 g for full-size machines);
turning on a long high-temperature spin cycle (optimally 60-95 degrees and 1.5-3 hours);
spin off;
activation of double rinse;
manual treatment of the cuff, drum and machine body with a solution.
When washing, pieces of scale should be visible flying off, which will indicate that the lemon juicer is working. Remaining deposits may also become stuck in the cuff. At the “finish”, don’t forget about the garbage filter: unscrew it and clean it from dirt.
It’s a shame and incomprehensible when the unpleasant odor after cleaning with citric acid only intensifies and develops into a stench. It turns out that the acidic powder, which was supposed to remove all the fumes and dirt, had the opposite effect and worsened the situation? It is unlikely, most likely, the technology was broken or the cause of the stench was determined incorrectly. But there is no need to despair and doubt the effectiveness of the lemon juice. It is much more effective to permanently deal with the problem and help the washer return its neutral smell.
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