How to clean a washing machine with citric acid: advantages and dangers of the method

Hard water - the main enemy of washing machines, capable, if not break the technique, then at least harm its working mechanisms. To protect the device from damage, it is necessary with a regular frequency to carry out its maintenance. The most affordable and easy way is to use citric acid. But before cleaning the washing machine with this tool, it is important to get acquainted with the process, the advantage of this method and safety measures.

What is citric acid

It is a white crystalline substance (powder), easily soluble in water.It is used in numerous areas of human life, as well as in household chemicals as a cleaning agent.

With careful use and compliance with safety measures, citric acid for a washing machine in small volumes is not dangerous.

People who want to use this tool for the first time, before cleaning their darling, ask certain questions:

1. For what purpose do masters recommend carrying out such procedures?
2. Do not harm the acid plastic and rubber parts of household appliances.
3. How much do you need to pour grams of powderto get a good end result.
4. How often should such procedures be carried out.

Cleaning instructions

To clean the washing machine with citric acid, designed for load volume linen 4 kg, you need about 60 grams of the substance.

1. 1. In the compartment provided for laundry detergent, you should pour exactly as much citric acid as is necessary for your car.
   2. Start the washing process in the classic mode, for example, cotton 60 degrees, do not forget about rinsing.
   3. If the surface of the heating elements has not been descaled for a long time or never, then it is appropriate to set the maximum temperature.
   4. After the washing process starts, cleaning of the washing machine with citric acid will begin. All dirt and scum from its important work items will be cleaned.
   5. It is believed to follow the process. In the case of characteristic noises, hum (apparently - these are fallen off pieces of scale), the procedure should be stopped and removed the interference, and then re-enabled.
   6. After completing the wash, open the hatch, bend the gum and wipe all the openings with a rag to remove solids left over from the scale.

According to customer reviews and recommendations of specialists involved in the repair of washing machines, such procedures should be performed. at least 3 times a year. For those who have very hard water from the tap, it is desirable to hold such an event more often.

Advantage of the method

This is not only the easiest, but also the cheapest way of all existing, allowing you to clean the heater from scale. Buy specially designed softeners can not all, as they are expensive.

The advantages of this method are as follows:

1. Citric acid is a food product that dissolves completely in water.Therefore, wash the internal elements of the technique after its application is not difficult.
2. The cleaning process is simple and the result is effective.
3. Scale the washing machine much cheaper than citric acid than expensive advertised means.

Precautionary measures

When using acid in unreasonable quantities, it is not excluded possibility of damage internal elements of the washing machine. Therefore, pouring the substance into the powder compartment, strictly follow the instructions, having prepared the necessary amount of substance in advance.

Experts warn that cleaning the washing machine with citric acid should be performed at a temperature not exceeding 90 degrees, all the more important it is necessary to take into account if you use the product in large volumes.

If you ignore this warning, the acid will wash the internal elements of the device from solid deposits and corrode its other components - rubber bands and other plastic parts. Citric acid reacts with scum at low temperatures. By heating the water, you speed up the cleaning process.

What is scum, why hard deposits are harmful

Any water contains calcium and magnesium salts.As a result of its heating on the heat exchangers scale is deposited. This is due to the fact that these salts, when heated, decompose into carbon dioxide and insoluble precipitate. The precipitate is deposited on TENe, and on the internal surfaces of the device.

If the washing machine does not clean the machine from scale - this can lead to negative consequences.

First, the device will increase power consumption. This is due to poor heat conduction of scale. therefore the water will heat up much slower. If at this moment the necessary measures are not taken, the deposits will accumulate further, the heating elements in the process of work will heat up more and more, which will eventually lead to the fact that it will burn out and it will be necessary his replacement.

Timely washing machine maintenance, cleaning of heating elements and its other surfaces from solid deposits that do not dissolve in water will help protect the equipment from breakage.

Conclusion

Today, on the shelves of stores you can find a large number of household tools that allow you to clean the washing machine without the help of specialists.Many powders, gels and capsules containing water softeners can prevent scale build-up on heat exchange elements. For example, one of the most popular ready-made tools - CalgonBut its effectiveness is still debating.

Using specialized means according to their instructions, it is possible to reduce the process of deposition of solid formations in the washing machine to the minimum values. If we take into account that a particularly heavy patina occurs due to boiling, and we do not often wash clothes, then you should clean your helper with citric acid. 3-4 times a year. Such actions will help protect equipment from untimely breakage.