How to descale an automatic washing machine

Limescale is a very dangerous enemy of an automatic washing machine. If left untreated, it can literally destroy it. To prevent limescale buildup, either use soft water or add special detergents to each wash cycle. But what if the machine has been used without adding water softeners, and limescale has coated the drum and interior of the appliance? What can you do in this situation? How can you clean your household appliance?

Special anti-scale agents

Manufacturers of automatic washing machines strongly recommend using only specialized cleaning products from trusted companies. It's best to listen to their advice, as overly harsh products can damage washing machine parts, while products that are too weak won't clean anything. We've prepared a review of the best specialized descaling products for your washing machine and present it to you.

• Magic Power for washing machines. One of the best descaling agents for automatic washing machines from Germany. Thanks to its unique formula, it removes even the most stubborn limescale from the heating element, tub, drum, and other parts of your washing machine. Available in 250 ml liquid bottles, this highly effective product is available for $4.
• Topperr 3004 for washing machines. Another excellent product from Germany, recommended by leading German washing machine manufacturers, including Miele and Bosch. It effectively removes limescale from the heating element of a washing machine. It's sold in 250 ml plastic bottles. One bottle is enough for two cleanings of the machine. Price: 4 USD.
• Luxus Professional. An excellent domestic product that removes limescale deposits not only from washing machines but also from kettles, coffee makers, dishwashers, and other appliances. After cleaning, the product leaves a pleasant lemon scent. It is sold in 500 ml bottles. One bottle is enough to clean a washing machine four times. Price: $3.50.
• Bork K8P is an effective concentrated descaler from a renowned Korean manufacturer. One package of Bork K8P1 contains 4 sachets of powder, each sufficient for one cleaning. Before use, dilute the product with some water and then pour it into the powder drawer. Price per package: $14.
• Top House. An inexpensive yet effective product from Germany designed to remove limescale deposits from all household appliances. It can be used not only on washing machines, but also on kettles, coffee machines, and more. Sold in a 500 ml plastic bottle, good for 5 uses. Price: 3 USD.
• Universal descaler. Removes limescale from all appliances, including dishes. For a more thorough cleaning of the machine's interior, pour the dry product into the detergent drawer in the pre-wash compartment. Price per 100g sachet is $0.20; two sachets are required for one washing machine cleaning.

Please note! Anti-scale is also available in liquid form, but our specialists do not recommend using it for cleaning machines due to its low effectiveness.

Home remedies for limescale

Any specialized washing machine descaling product is expensive, and it's not always readily available. So what if you need to clean your machine now, rather than rushing around the store looking for a solution? In this case, a homemade descaling solution can help. There are many such products, but which ones are truly effective and can clean your machine thoroughly?

Citric acid. This home remedy is the absolute best for removing limescale. To clean a washing machine with citric acid, take 150-200 grams of the product and pour it into the detergent drawer or drum. Then run the longest mode at a high temperature (at least 60⁰C) and wait for the cycle to complete. After the machine turns off, clean the drain filter of any remaining scale, wipe the seal, and check for any remaining limescale.

Important! 200 grams of citric acid costs several times less than a bottle of the cheapest professional descaling agent for automatic washing machines, which is also based on citric acid.

Instead of citric acid, you can use nine percent table vinegar. Pour a glass of this vinegar into the powder compartment and run the washing machine on the longest cycle at a temperature of 90⁰C. You can also set an extra rinse cycle to better remove vinegar and its odor. Because of its pungent odor, this solution is not often used.

Coca-Cola. At first glance, this seems like a rather unexpected home descaling solution. But in fact, this tasty drink has long been used by craftsmen for technical purposes. It can even clean car radiators and industrial equipment, not to mention a household automatic washing machine. One cleaning will require approximately 5 liters of the drink., which can be poured into the washing machine tank and turned on the soaking mode.

Mechanical cleaning is the most effective

To ensure that your washing machine components are free of limescale even in the most severe cases, mechanical cleaning should be used. What are its advantages?

1. When we remove and manually clean any component of the washing machine (for example, the heating element), we not only scrape off limescale but also remove it from the machine. If we use chemicals, there's a risk that large pieces of scale will fall off the heating element and remain in the drum.
2. By disassembling and removing the washing machine components for cleaning, we can inspect them for damage and possibly replace them immediately, along with rubber seals, sensors, wiring, and other components.
3. While using mechanical cleaning, you can also consider using chemicals locally. For example, you can soak the heating element in a concentrated citric acid solution, which will leave it sparkling like new.

Mechanical cleaning of washing machines begins with their proper disassembly. To properly disassemble the washing machine It will require some skill and the appropriate tools, but overall, it's a manageable task for anyone with the right hands. The difficulty of disassembly will depend on the parts of the machine you want to clean. If you only need to clean the heating element, you can get away with removing the back panel of the machine. However, if scale has accumulated on the moving parts of the drum, you'll need to disassemble the tank as well.

Washing machine components must be cleaned very carefully; it is unacceptable to use rough tools such as files, knives, and the like. Use a rough cloth or very fine sandpaper for cleaning. To remove scale better, soak the heating element in a solution of citric acid, vinegar, or Coca-Cola beforehand.

To summarize, there are several ways to descale a washing machine. The key is to do it regularly to prevent something as minor as limescale from becoming an additional burden on the family budget, requiring the purchase of a new washing machine.

   

2 reader comments

1. December 25, 2016 at 9:44 PM

   Alla:

   Hello! I completely agree with the author of the article about cleaning your washing machine with citric acid. I do it myself sometimes and am very happy with it. It really works.

   Answer
2. February 12, 2019 at 12:36 PM

   Natasha:

   Thanks for the advice. I'll try it and use it if I like it.

   Answer