How to clean the detergent container in an Indesit washing machine?

Every housewife knows how important it is to maintain her washing machine: wash the filters, wipe the drum, the seal, the door, and, of course, clean the detergent drawer. Detergents placed in the drawer aren't completely rinsed out, and some of the chemicals settle on the walls of the dispenser. Mold also often grows in the drawer. To clean the detergent drawer in an Indesit washing machine, you need to remove it from the housing. Let's look at how to remove the dispenser and what to use to clean the drawer.

Removing the powder receptacle

Most Indesit washing machines have a freely removable container. To remove the powder tray, pull it out as far as it will go, press the central plastic latch and remove the dispenser. But there are exceptions: owners of some models believe that removing the powder compartment is impossible, and they come up with new ways to clean it: using toothbrushes, brushes, and other auxiliary equipment.

The detergent drawer can be removed from absolutely any Indesit.

The algorithm of actions in a non-standard situation will be as follows:

• pull the dispenser towards you until it stops;
• Examine the bottom of the "box"—there are teeth on the right and left sides of the base that prevent the compartment from being removed freely. Lubricate them with oil (vegetable oil);
• Grasp the container's body (not the plastic handle), apply a little force, lift the powder compartment upward, and pull it toward you. At this point, the compartment should slide out a few millimeters.
• Press down on the container body, trying to move it downwards. If everything is done successfully, you should hear a distinctive click;
• Continue pushing down on the powder compartment while simultaneously pulling it toward you. The tray should pop out.

Once you have the container in hand, you can begin cleaning. The method for cleaning the tray depends on various factors. You can soak the "box" in water or a special solution, or wipe it with a cloth or an abrasive sponge.

What to clean with?

What products are best for quick and effective cleaning of the detergent drawer? Today, many commercially available products are available that can clean not only the detergent drawer but also the main components of the washing machine. Here's an overview of the most popular household cleaning products.

• Frisch Activ. A product that restores the cleanliness of dispensers. Ideal for lightly soiled trays.
• Doctor TEN. Used to clean both the detergent dispenser and the entire washing machine. Suitable for light and heavy soiling.
• A product from a South Korean manufacturer. It cleans not only the dispenser but also the washing machine's hoses and pipes.

If you want to soak the detergent container, you can try more aggressive cleaning solutions. Water won't be poured into the machine, so cleaners designed for plumbing fixtures are suitable. These include Domestos, Toilet Duck, and others.

If you're trying to minimize your use of household chemicals, you can clean the dispenser using folk remedies.

• Water-salt solution. Dilute baking soda in a 1:1 ratio, adding half a cup of sodium chloride to half a cup of liquid. Fill the tray with the solution for about 20 minutes, then wipe it with cloths. After cleaning, rinse the powder receptacle thoroughly under running water.
• Baking soda and vinegar. Pour baking soda into the dispenser and pour vinegar on top. The interaction of these components will cause a chemical reaction. Then, scrub the sides and bottom of the dispenser with a brush. If the result is unsatisfactory, you can repeat the process.
• Citric acid and water. Pour about 100 grams of citric acid into a basin, then add enough water to completely cover the detergent drawer. The drawer is left in the resulting solution for 4-5 hours. Then, rinse the drawer and return it to the washing machine.
• Nine percent vinegar (250 ml) is diluted in a liter of hot water. Place the cuvette in the solution and let it soak for 12 hours. After this procedure, removing dirt and residue from the walls will be very easy with a sponge.

There are many ways to clean a detergent dispenser. The preferred method depends on the degree of contamination and the amount of detergent present in the home. You can remove plaque from the walls of the tray using both chemicals and folk remedies.

How to perform the procedure?

The steps for cleaning a powder dispenser are almost always the same. Prepare a container (a bowl or bucket), a sponge or brush, and a dry cloth. Then, apply the cleaning solution.

1. Place a cleanser in the basin.
2. Pour the required volume of water into the container.
3. Stir until the mixture is completely dissolved.
4. Load the tray into the solution.
5. Leave the powder container to soak for a few hours.
6. Remove the container and clean it using an abrasive sponge or brush.

Be sure to remove the fabric softener container from the drawer. Dirt accumulates there, too. After cleaning, rinse the drawer thoroughly and replace it in the Indesit machine.

   

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