How to clean a washing machine from odor and dirt

It's easy to let your "home helper" deteriorate beyond recognition; just neglect it for a couple of years. But how do you clean the odor and dirt from a washing machine after such neglect? In this case, you'll have to resort to a whole host of maintenance measures to restore its appearance. But first things first.

Physical cleansing

If the washing machine has been running so long that dirt is visible and there's a foul odor, a simple empty wash won't do the trick. The dirt won't be removed this way. You'll have to do some manual cleaning, but unplug the machine first. The following parts can be hand-washed:

• rubber cuff;
• drum;
• drain hose and pipes;
• machine body;
• filter;
• powder tray;
• heating element.

The easiest place to start is with the drain filter, located at the bottom of the machine. It's hidden behind a lower panel that's held in place by latches; some models even have a door. Unscrew the filter counterclockwise, remove it, and rinse it with any detergent to remove any dirt or debris.

Be sure to place rags near the machine as water will leak from the filter hole.

Also check the filter compartment; there may be debris there as well. When finished, wipe the parts with a dry cloth and replace the filter. This procedure should be performed at least once every three months.

Next, you can tackle the seal. To clean it, you'll need a copper sulfate solution; you can also use diluted Domestos. Wipe the rubber with one of these solutions and then rinse with warm water. If the dirt is particularly stubborn, try rubbing the seal with baking soda and letting it sit for a while, then scrub with a soft sponge, rinse, and wipe dry. This will remove not only dirt but also mold and musty odors. To prevent this from happening in the future, ventilate the drum and wipe the cuff after washing.

Cleaning the exterior of your automatic washing machine is fairly easy. Wipe it with a damp cloth, then dry it. Dirty areas can be washed with soapy water. The glass door of the drum can be cleaned by spraying it with glass cleaner. The detergent drawer is washed separately. Remove it from the machine and soak it in soapy water or a citric acid solution, which effectively removes rust stains. After soaking, scrub the drawer with a sponge or an old toothbrush, rinse, and wipe dry.

The area under the tray is also thoroughly cleaned with a toothbrush; baking soda is used to remove old dirt.

Cleaning the hoses and pipes is complicated by the fact that they need to be disconnected from the washing machine. We described how to perform this procedure in the article. Cleaning the hose yourself.

Automatic cleaning with improvised means

After manually cleaning your washing machine, run the automatic cleaning cycle. To do this, you'll need 200 grams of baking soda or one cup of white vinegar. Place them in the washing machine's drawer or directly in the drum, and run the wash cycle with water heated to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). This procedure will remove odors, mold, and other contaminants from the inside of the machine.

If you need to remove limescale and scale from your appliance, take a couple of large packets of citric acid, approximately 100-150 grams. Pour them into the detergent dispenser and set the longest setting to 90.⁰Don't forget to set the extra rinse cycle. Afterward, be sure to wipe the drum and the large rubber seal (cuff) to remove any remaining moisture. Limescale deposits can get stuck in the rubber seal.

It's recommended to descale your washer every six months using citric acid. However, this will depend on your water hardness, the modes you use, and how often you use your washer.

What chemicals should I use for cleaning?

Chemical cleaning products can help with the difficulty of removing odors and dirt from a washing machine. There are plenty of them available in stores and online. The first thing that comes to mind for any homemaker is "Belina." Indeed, it's an inexpensive and effective solution for fighting mold, germs, mildew, and gasoline odors. However, it should be used with caution. Chlorine can damage the metal and rubber parts of the washing machine.

Before using, check the manufacturer's instructions for using bleach. If it's not prohibited, try it, but again, proceed with caution. Pour no more than a cup of bleach into the detergent dispenser and set the wash cycle to 40-45°C.⁰WITH. Run the rinse cycle twice and ventilate the drum and room well after completion.

From the factory-made detergents for the automatic washing machine, you can use:

• Miele cleaning powder – a cleaning powder from a renowned German home appliance manufacturer. This product eliminates both odors and bacteria;
• Dr.Beckmann – a substance designed to remove scale from a washing machine, has disinfecting properties;
• Magic Power is an excellent powder designed to remove limescale and scale from the washing machine;
• Topperr, a cleaning agent recommended by Bosch, is suitable for cleaning all automatic washing machines. It removes limescale very well.
• Luxus Professional is a Russian-made powder used for washing machines and dishwashers;
• Antinakipin is a cheaper descaling powder, but it does its job just as well as the previous one;
• Sandokkaebi is a product made in Korea and used to disinfect washing machines. If you're wondering how to clean your washing machine, this product is a must-have to remove all the bacteria that has accumulated inside.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. How to clean your washing machine with these products is explained in the instructions on the label. Be sure to read them before use.

Whatever you clean your machine with, try not to let it run too long. Keep an eye on its condition and clean it regularly, both inside and out. Happy deep cleaning!

   

2 reader comments

1. February 18, 2018 at 11:19 AM

   Oleg:

   Add citric acid to clean the washing machine? Why? To quickly learn how to repair and replace drum bearings and seals? That's a bit of a strange tip for this website, at the very least.

   Answer
2. December 14, 2018 at 12:49 PM

   Irina:

   Try Adorgan-professional, it helps me effectively.

   Answer