How to clean a washing machine with citric acid: how much to pour in this substance, and how it will help

A washing machine is not cheap at all, and after buying it, any housewife dreams that the thing will last as long as possible. This task is quite achievable provided that plaque is removed from its heating element in a timely manner. Therefore, it is very useful to know how to clean a washing machine with citric acid. This will help keep the equipment in excellent condition and not worry about its frequent breakdowns.

Scale problems

Limescale is nothing more than a mixture of calcium and magnesium salts, which are abundant in hard water. In the process of heating it above 40 degrees, carbonate salts decompose into carbon dioxide and water-insoluble sediment. Once formed, it settles on the heating element of the washing machine, and its layer gets thicker with each wash.

The first time after the occurrence of scale does not significantly affect the operation of the unit, but as increasing its amount, some problems appear that negatively affect the functioning of the equipment. So, the unit begins to consume more and more energy, and the water in it, meanwhile, heats up worse and worse. Subsequently, scale leads to damage to the washing machine.

It is possible to determine that scale has formed in the machine, which can lead to its breakdown, by the following signs:

• things that have just been washed give off an unpleasant odor;
• when washing, the machine starts to make a noise louder than usual;
• on white things, you can notice a grayish or yellowish tint;
• poor washing quality even when changing the powder;
• weak water heating, regardless of the type of wash.

All these symptoms indicate that the unit needs to be urgently saved. To do this, you just need to clean the washing machine with citric acid.

Benefits of this cleaning method

This cleaning method is far from the only one. For descaling, you can use special products that are produced by the industry, or buy special water softeners and use them on an ongoing basis. But descaling the washing machine with citric acid is the most popular method among housewives.

Its advantages include the following features:

1. Profitability. Compared to the cost of other products, citric acid is unusually cheap, and its purchase will not harm the family budget;
2. Security. This substance is absolutely harmless to the health of both adults and children. It is not capable of causing allergies, unlike some household chemicals. Therefore, nothing terrible will happen, even if citric acid gets on clothes or underwear. It will not damage the details of the machine;
3. Effectiveness. Despite the low cost, the use of acid can effectively solve the problem of scale. It successfully dissolves salt deposits by reacting with them and allows you to get rid of even the strongest accumulations;
4. Availability. The substance can be found at any grocery store near your home;
5. Ease of use. The method does not require additional preparation, anyone can handle it.

Carrying out mechanism

Before you clean the automatic washing machine with citric acid, you must first remove all possible dirt from under the rubber gasket by wiping it with a damp cloth. It will not be superfluous to check if there is any forgotten thing lying around in the drum of the unit.

Calculation of the amount of acid

The amount of substance required for descaling depends on the amount of equipment. For every kilogram of laundry that is placed in the drum of the washing machine, it is recommended to take 20 g of acid. That is, a unit designed for washing 3-4 kg of things needs 60 g of powder, and for 5 kg - 100 g.

The powder is usually sold in sachets of 15 or 20 g, so it is not difficult to calculate the required amount. If you managed to get acid in a large package, you should know that 1 level tablespoon contains 15 g of the substance, and with a slide - 20 g.

In no case should you increase the recommended rate. Its excess can lead to damage to parts that consist of rubber and plastic. And this will lead to early breakdown of equipment.

Instructions for use

After calculating the amount, you can proceed to the procedure itself. It is not difficult to clean the machine with citric acid. This process consists of several sequential steps.

Here they are:

1. Pour the prepared acid into the powder compartment or into the machine drum. It is better to choose the first option, since in this case more parts of the unit will be cleaned;
2. Find a mode for washing, in which the water warms up to at least 60 degrees. If the machine has never been cleaned, you can stop at a program with heated water up to 90 degrees. The wash cycle must be complete, necessarily including rinsing. If it is possible to program the unit for an additional rinse, this should be done. If not, you just need to repeat this action after the end of the cycle;
3. Start the car. It is best not to leave the house during the process. A situation may arise when too large pieces of scale begin to separate from the heating element. This is determined by the characteristic knock. In this case, it is recommended to stop washing and remove them by hand through the drain hole;
4. At the end of the wash, check if there is any scale left under the rubber gasket. If there is one, it should be removed and this part of the machine rinsed, and then thoroughly wipe the drum and all other parts of the unit and leave its door open until it dries.

Such cleaning will allow you to timely get rid of the harmful sediment formed in the car.

It should be done regularly, and the frequency depends on the quality of the water. If it is hard, the procedure should be repeated quarterly, with normal water - every six months, with soft water - annually.

Preventive measures

To avoid the rapid formation of scale and not worry about the condition of your washing machine, you need to try to properly care for this piece of equipment.

Therefore, compliance with such recommendations plays an important role here:

1. Use water softeners whenever possible;
2. Observe the measure when adding washing powder;
3. Do not get carried away with washing too old things, as their particles get inside the machine and litter it;
4. The washing temperature should not be higher than 75 degrees;
5. After each wash, be sure to wipe the inside of the machine with a soft cloth.

If you know how to clean an automatic washing machine with citric acid and do it on time, you can avoid many problems associated with its repair.