Washing machine care products

Despite constant contact with water and detergent, the washing machine gets dirtier with every wash. The internal components suffer the most: the drum, heating element, debris filter, pump, and drain hoses. A thick layer of soap, limescale, lint, and dust settles on the machine's surfaces, threatening overheating and clogging.

To clean the system, you don't need to disassemble the machine and wash everything manually—just run an empty cycle and add washing machine care products. Let's take a closer look at what exactly to add and how often.

A selection of the most profitable products

You can use baking soda and vinegar to clean your washing machine, but there's a high risk of messing up the dosage and damaging the machine. It’s better not to experiment and choose inexpensive but effective professional chemicals – a special cleaner for household appliancesSeveral brands have proven themselves to be excellent in terms of price and quality.

• Beckmann. A universal cleaning agent for all washing machines. Made in Germany, this blue liquid contains citric acid, surfactants, and limonene. It also contains activated carbon, which acts like a magnet to attract and absorb dirt. This concentrated product effectively cleans your washing machine, while special anti-corrosion and softening components protect the machine's surfaces and maintain the elasticity of its seals. Price: $2.86 for 250 ml.
• Tiret. A lemon-scented liquid washing machine cleaner. Its active formula, based on citric acid, surfactants, citral, and limonene, effectively combats bacteria and fungi. This concentrate neutralizes odors in one cycle, dissolves limescale and soap deposits, cleansing parts of dirt, and ensures hygienic cleanliness. Also available with a floral fragrance. A 250 ml bottle ranges from $1.50 to $2.30.

Before using the detergent, please read the instructions on the packaging!

• PLEX ACIDCLEAN. A professional, all-in-one cleaner for washing machines. Available in gel form. It removes limescale, scale, and odors without damaging the machine's rubber and plastic components. It ensures hygienic cleanliness and protects the washing machine from further stains. Sold in 0.5-liter bottles for $1.65.
• A disinfectant liquid cleaner that kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and fungi. Contains citric acid, chloride, non-ionic surfactants, citral, and limonene. Removes all types of stains, reaching even hard-to-reach areas of the washing machine. Neutralizes unpleasant odors and has a subtle lemon scent. Use no more than once every two months. Costs approximately $2.25–$4 for 250 ml.
• Nihon Detergent. A highly concentrated chlorine-based drum cleaner. Effectively removes dirt, mold, and soap scum from washing machine surfaces, eliminating odors and providing an antibacterial effect. Suitable for all drum-type machines. Price: approximately $3.80 for 550 ml.
• Five Plus. A powdered washing machine cleaner based on colloidal silver, phosphates, and soda. In one application, it removes limescale deposits and detergent residues, and neutralizes stubborn stains. unpleasant odorsIt has a prolonged antibacterial effect, preventing dirt from settling on the interior surfaces of the machine. It is fragrance-free. With regular use, it extends the life of the machine. It costs about $1.30 for 500 g.

Before using the product, carefully read the instructions on the packaging. The manufacturer provides recommendations on how to use the cleaner, including dosage, application time, and machine preparation. After cleaning, it's best to run a double rinse to remove any remaining household chemicals from the tank.

About the frequency of cleaning equipment

Without regular cleaning, the washing machine will quickly fail. Dirt that gets inside, along with sticky soap scum and hardened scale, settles on the key components of the machine. As a result, the drainage becomes clogged and the heating element overheats, threatening to break down, and due to the increased humidity, mold develops, contaminating things and the air in the room.

To keep your washing machine from clogging, you need to clean it periodically. Cleaning includes:

• wiping the drum and body;
• rinsing the powder receptacle;
• cleaning the trash filter;
• comprehensive removal of scale and mold.

It is recommended to wipe the drum, housing, and door seal with a dry cloth after each use. The powder compartment should be cleaned once a week: remove the bin and rinse under the tap. If the limescale buildup is severe, soak it in a lemon solution and brush it out.

It is recommended to wash the powder receptacle every week, and the waste filter twice a month.

Be sure to clean the debris filter every two weeks. It catches all the little things that end up in the washing machine: coins, hair, threads, crumbs, and other debris. To remove all the accumulated dirt, follow these steps:

• pry open the service hatch door with a screwdriver;
• press the latches and detach the door from the body;
• find the filter plug;
• grab the ledge on the lid;
• unscrew the spiral;
• wash the filter;
• screw the nozzle into place.

The longest cleaning is a comprehensive one, which involves rinsing the heating element, tank, pump, and other machine components. Run an empty cycle with a special detergent for 1.5-3 hours. The frequency of a thorough cleaning depends on the quality of your tap water and the condition of your machine. On average, it's recommended to repeat the procedure every 3-6 months.

Modern machines are equipped with a self-cleaning tank function. Activating it is easy: simply press the corresponding button on the control panel and start the cycle. The main thing is to add detergent to the dispenser beforehand. We've discussed which detergent to use above.

   

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