Is it possible to clean a washing machine with citric acid

Many housewives ask the same question: is it possible to clean a washing machine with citric acid? And are other folk methods suitable for achieving the most effective results? The answer is very simple. You can use a lot, the main thing is the right technologies and methods. This article covers this topic in all its aspects. This is especially true for cause and effect.

The modern world of people can no longer be imagined without technological progress. Technologies have become so integrated into everyday life that they can make a person helpless without any effort. Of all the things that are important and necessary, the refrigerator and washing machine come first. In the first case, the equipment will not require special care. And in the second, at a minimum, you will have to call a specialist every few years. The cause of the breakdown will be quite simple.Due to water purification products, scale forms on some important parts, which, in turn, cause breakdowns.

The point is this. When a water treatment plant draws water, it disinfects it. Then it releases it into a huge reservoir, where it is already mixed with the main mass and rains. But in addition to these chemicals, there are mineral deposits in the lands themselves. It is the combination of these factors that has a negative impact on internal spare parts. A plaque forms on them, which consists of magnesium and calcium. And since these carbonates do not dissolve in water, their accumulation is a matter of time. By the way, a cycle with rinsing is categorically not recommended under such conditions, because it can ruin things!

Cleaning must include disinfection. Due to the huge amount of water in many washing machines, there are fungal infections that hide in different, hard-to-reach places. If a long cycle with high water temperature is not used, bacteria multiply at an infinite speed. Hence the appearance of unpleasant odors.

Scale

These are deposits of harmful substances due to their increased content in water. In domestic conditions these are CaCO3 and MgCO3. That is, calcium and magnesium secretions on the insides. In chemistry they are called carbonates. When any reaction with oxygen occurs, the water becomes cleaner, but scale forms. Hence the name!

Causes of scale

There are several main points that not only contribute to the appearance of scale, but actually lead to disparate consequences. Namely:

Use of certain types of powders and conditioners.Such substances contain a large number of substances and elements that remain on the internal parts of the machine.
Repeated washes at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, each time calcium settles on the heating elements, since the heater becomes covered with air bubbles. The consequence of this will be an increase in the rate of the chemical reaction of carbonate deposition.
Poor quality water, which contains many negative elements of the periodic table.

Emerging consequences

In such situations, equipment and things will always suffer. But there are consequences that will lead to breakdowns and unexpected expenses in the family budget. Namely:

Complete overheating of the heating element (the element responsible for the water temperature). Since a chemical reaction forms a deposit of scale on it, it takes longer to carry out normal operations. Therefore, the equipment wears out faster.
The salts that settle on all internal parts and spare parts of the washing machine do not allow them to dry properly. The overall humidity increases, which promotes the formation of fungi and mold. If the drum is metal, then corrosion will form on it.

The timing of cleaning will directly depend on how often the machine is used. That is, those who do laundry once a week can confidently do the laundry once every six months. But if there are small children or other factors due to which the washing machine runs more than 4 times a month, then it needs to be cleaned once every 90-120 days. This is the only way to avoid damaging the device!

There are several basic substances that allow you to clean the insides of washing mashines. Each is easy to find on kitchen or bathroom shelves.

Lemon acid

There are several main benefits that this chemical compound provides. Namely:

The product is sold absolutely everywhere, without any requirements. Purchasing will not be difficult. The price for this product is not huge! The required amount of powder used is minimal.
Dissolves very quickly in water. It is quickly washed off without leaving particles behind. If for some reason it was not washed off, it will not ruin the clothes. There is no reaction or effect on human skin.
Complete absence of negative impact factors on any elements. Citric acid will not corrode rubber, plastic or other parts. The main thing is to maintain the proportions that are necessary to achieve maximum effect.
Use does not require any knowledge or experience. The process itself takes minimal time.
Plaque and scale are instantly destroyed, since the acid begins chemical reactions with literally everything that remains after. Even unpleasant odors instantly go away.

Features of application:

No prolonged exposure to hot water, since in such conditions the insides may begin to enter into chemical reactions;
If cleansing has not been done for years, then it is simply necessary to either have several successive cleanses, or use a more powerful concentrate.

Methods of use

With the right approach, you can get rid of a complex of problems, and if you do it anyhow, then the result will be appropriate. The most important thing is not to overdo it with the dosage. The correct choice of water temperature for a specific period of exposure is also important.

In cases where the machine can hold up to 5 kilograms of laundry, no more than 60 grams of citric acid will be required.Typically, housewives can see paper bags in stores that do not weigh more than 25 grams.

When purchasing the product in jars, either a measuring spoon or a tablespoon would be an excellent solution. Its volume can be found on the Internet. Using this method involves 5-6 spoons, without a slide.

In cases where the washing machine holds more than five kilograms, up to 100 grams of the substance may be required. Make further calculations based on the information described above!

First, a full inspection is carried out. Have you forgotten small things like socks? Each rubber band can be removed and then wiped with a dry cloth. This removes unnecessary moisture and dirt. Then, citric acid is poured into the powder compartment.

Next, select a program with rinsing, spinning and temperatures up to 60 degrees. These indicators are considered ideal for descaling. But these are the conditions for machines that have been cleaned regularly. If cleaning occurs no more than once a year, then the maximum temperature is selected and the duration is minimum.

No drum loading required! The cycle simply starts and the machine starts working. Upon completion, you need to open the laundry loading compartment and thoroughly wash everything inside. This can be done by regular rinsing of laundry. In both cases, the effect will be positive. After all this, the accessible parts are opened and complete drying is carried out.

Negative consequences

There are several legends according to which the insides of devices deteriorate. But is this really so? Here are a few arguments given by opponents of this substance. To be fair, it is worth noting that there is no evidence yet.

Arguments:

The salt in the water is deposited in the washing machine. It can settle not only on the heating element, but also on the drain.
Citric acid itself can corrode the metal of the heating element at the crystalline level.
There is an opinion that rubber parts wear out more. Further cleaning activities bring them to cracks.
The appearance of a specific smell.

Why are these statements fundamentally wrong? To begin with, it is worth noting that a solution containing only 1% acid will always be used. To understand how unserious this is, here is some information. In special water heating boilers, a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid is used to clean them. And this is a substance that can very easily corrode absolutely any chemical element completely. If it is used quite successfully, then citric acid, which is usually taken for making pies, is definitely safe. Moreover, the rubber gaskets and cuffs installed inside the washing machines are made for long-term operation. Therefore, their composition includes components that allow them to withstand increased loads.

The problem can arise only in one case, when several crystals or grams of powder accidentally get into a hard-to-reach place and remain there. The consequences will be coloring of things and odor, which are very easy to remove.

And regarding blockages, I would like to say that you should carefully read the instructions for completing cleaning. Always and in any case, one or two rinses will be required, without substances. Such a flow of water will not just wash away, it will not even leave a trace.

Cleaning with soda

Cleaning the washing machine with soda is no less effective than with other improvised means.Especially if there is nothing else in the house. Housewives know that this chemical compound effectively copes with many tasks. Household use is rarely complete without baking soda. It is used in cooking. Since it can easily be used as a bleach, it can also clean your machine. If you use it this way, an additional rinse is necessary at the end.

Sequencing

Work must be done with gloves. This is the only way to achieve maximum safety for the skin. Therefore, the first thing they do is put them on.
Mix with water 50%50. Until a homogeneous mass is formed.
The mixture is applied to accessible areas of fungi and mold formation. This is especially true for the powder container and drum.
Then there is a wait of up to 40 minutes. This time is necessary for complete interaction with all chemical elements.
Wipe the treated areas with a soft dishwashing sponge.
The normal program is selected. The washing machine must be completely empty. There are no specific temperature instructions!

But soda can also be soda ash

In this case it goes something like this. Again, you will need means to protect your skin from negative effects. This product is sold packaged in thick plastic bags. The product itself is a white powder that absorbs moisture. For storage at home, you must have a special place that is difficult for children to reach and completely excludes moisture. Soda ash is a very aggressive compound, so its use must be carried out under the most stringent conditions described in the instructions.

But since absolutely any microflora can form in a washing machine, this soda is ideal for this task. Here is the procedure for using the calcined compound:

Mix in equal proportions with water. Stir until the water is slightly cloudy and has a white tint.
Use a soft sponge or other similar means to absorb the solution and distribute it to the most accessible places. This includes a drum, a powder tray, and even cuffs and elastic bands. In general, everything that is as accessible as possible, without the use of tools.
The wait occurs for 25 minutes, since this solution is very strong. This time is quite enough to influence each element to the maximum.
Set the quick wash mode with simple parameters. It would be a good idea to duplicate the rinsing process. No need to load the drum with things!

Benefits obtained from using baking soda

This chemical compound is very aggressive. They use it to clean the surface of sinks, bathtubs and even tiles. Soda is an indispensable helper in home life. It is divided into three subtypes, which, as they increase, have an aggressive effect on the environment.

Many housewives wash in extremely hard water conditions. But they always add a spoonful of soda to give a milder effect and don’t even suspect why scale doesn’t form on them! The main thing to understand here is that some materials will not be able to interact normally. For example: silk, wool.

It is better to carefully study the specific issue before using it directly!

Use of acetic acid

You can also clean with vinegar.But the main thing is to realize that if you don’t rinse very thoroughly after it, then immediately after cleansing you can seriously damage things. In order for the result to be perfect, you must adhere to the following sequence:

Carefully check the drum for the presence of various parts in it. Acid can not only ruin things, but also have an unexpected reaction with something.
It's worth buying 9% acid. It should also be marked “food grade”. Use with extreme caution and with gloves. Pouring occurs directly into the drum or powder compartment. You will need half a two hundred gram glass.
The washing machine is set to the longest cycle. The temperature should be as high as possible. In the process itself, when heating occurs, stop the cycle for an hour and a half. The pause button, which is found on absolutely all automatic washing machines, will help with this.
After waiting, it starts further and at the end the drain hose or filter is cleaned. This action is mandatory!
Next, mix 50 ml of vinegar and a liter of water to wipe the inside of the drum with a sponge. Don't forget about cuffs and elastic bands.
To complete, you will have to run a quick wash with minimal settings. The main thing is that the rinse option is included.

Getting a 9% vinegar percentage is quite easy. Everyone has a concentrated solution with an indicator of 70%. Then simply mix with water in a ratio of 1:7. There will be one percent more, which will only have a positive impact on the overall picture.

Cleaning the space for powder and conditioner

The containers are filled with warm water. There should be approximately 250 ml of vinegar. Therefore, you can immediately calculate it by eye. The tray closes and remains that way for exactly one day.After the expiration date, take a rag, sponge or brush and clean everything thoroughly. Mixing with soda is also acceptable, but the proportions must be observed. Otherwise you might ruin something.

Cleaning the external surface

To remove dirt, you will need a rag and already diluted vinegar. A soft toothbrush is a good option. It is worth wiping after finishing to achieve the best effect. Afterwards it is washed off with a sponge and wiped with a dry cloth.

There is another method that allows you to cope with a complex of problems as efficiently as possible. When washing kitchen towels or other rags, simply add a regular glass of essence inside. Things will not be damaged in any case. Some housewives also add a few tablespoons of soda. This is how they fight several things at once.

Such methods are applicable once every six to eight months. In any case, wiping with a dry cloth will be required. All parts should be opened as much as possible, and the room itself should be ventilated.

Removing unpleasant odors and removing dirt from the drum

When unpleasant odors appear, housewives should understand that the drum needs to be cleaned. This can be done by regular washing, after first pouring one glass of consistency into it. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees!

Positive aspects of using vinegar:

Very low price, can be purchased wherever household goods are sold;
Removing all foreign odors;
One of the most ideal products because it is liquid.

Negative sides:

Very pungent smell;
Mandatory ventilation of the room;
When using, a mandatory rinse will be required, sometimes even several;
Mandatory compliance with the dosage proportions of the substance.

Vinegar is a strong chemical, so rinsing and additionally drying all rubber bands and the drum is very important.

Use of bleach and chlorine-containing preparations

Such substances are no less effective than others. They are also often present in every woman’s home. Whiteness gets rid of scale and dirt with the help of the chlorine it contains. It kills absolutely everything, including even beneficial bacteria. This is what makes it most useful. After all, a washing machine should just make things clean! And the scale will go away on its own, since the same chlorine will remove it.

Sequence of application of whiteness

The powder compartment or container is filled with a liquid or powdery substance. Its volume should be 250 grams. Next, the long, intensive wash mode is turned on. The water temperature should be more than 90 degrees.

In this case, any doors and windows must be open. The created draft will remove an unpleasant odor, which is generally dangerous to health. If the family consists of more than just adults, then the process begins with the departure of the children.

The final step is to start rinsing. Only after swirling the empty water two or three times is it permissible to wipe with a dry cloth. Don't forget about rubber cuffs and gaskets.

The washing cycle itself is divided into two stages, between which the whiteness must act. This happens 30-40 minutes after the longest program starts. The point is that the whiteness begins to interact with the high temperature of the water. Here the effect is the same as when boiling! Because of this, there is no way to miss this moment.

The pause is set for one hour. The process then continues.At the end of the cycle, the fast mode is selected and the temperature is 30 degrees.

To remove the smell after whitening, you will have to do the washing with vinegar, which is described above.

Any washing machine needs maintenance. Of course, scale will not appear in the first months or even years, because now manufacturers know how inexperienced or lazy buyers can be.

It is always worth paying more attention to the final inspection after completing various activities. Even the smallest traces of water must be removed with a dry cloth so that they do not flow under the elastic bands. It is also worth removing the bottom panels to gain access to the drain hoses and filters. Unscrew them and inspect them carefully. If the product was not very caustic, then the scale could simply break off in a piece and get stuck in the hole.

When using citric acid, wipe it with a rag soaked in it at the end. This way the maximum effect is achieved. In other cases, I use a clean rag, since the properties of the chemical element are already sufficient. When cleaning with white, you will also have to run a vinegar wash in full. The concentration of the essence should be minimal and will be required to remove odors and the last particles of bleach. And the process itself will not take much time and resources.