How to clean the automatic machine with citric acid from scale? How to clean a washing machine with citric acid: basic rules

As you know, it is the washing machine that is the best assistant of any hostess. How many girls, ladies and women rejoice that they do not have to wash clothes by hand! But in order for the unit to function well, it needs to be cleaned from time to time. And you can clean it with citric acid, which must be poured into the machine. It is this tool that will help take care of the device, and the washing machine will not break for a long time.

Why do washing machines get dirty.

If we talk about pollution, they can be very diverse. For example, the filters may become clogged, or the drum may become clogged. Traces of mold and fungi may begin to appear in the unit. But the main enemy of the washing machine is the formation of scale.

It would never occur to you to object to us if we begin to assert that the water in the Russian sewer is far from ideal. Moisture is usually tough and dirty, which is reflected in your washer.

As you understand, scale can cause irreparable harm to the washing machine: plaque will break the unit. And to repair the washer, you will have to spend a lot of money. But you can solve the problem: just take care of the device in time and clean the device. In our material, we want to tell you how to clean the washing machine with citric acid without harming the unit.

We clean the automatic machine: how much money should be poured?

Outlets, at the moment, sell a wide variety of cleaning products for washing machines. You will find both expensive Kolgon and little-known powders. Be that as it may, all of these products contain acid. Such an additive is necessary so that the acid corrodes scale deposits, and you can clean the unit.

We can not say anything bad about all these tools, but they have obvious disadvantages. If you do not calculate the dosage of powders, then, no doubt, clean the scale. But at the same time, you will harm the parts of the washing machine. You have already wondered: how to clean the washing machine with citric acid so as not to harm the unit? Then read our article and reviews further, and you will understand how much acid should be poured.

We clean the device with citric acid.

We can say with confidence that citric acid costs an order of magnitude less than expensive anti-scale agents. But even in the case of harmless citric acid, it is important to respect the proportions. It is not difficult to clean the machine in this way: just follow our advice and purchase the powder of the same name. Have you cleaned your washing machine for a long time? Then immediately get down to business, adhering to the algorithms below:

Empty the drum. If this is not done, then the tool will spoil the things lying in the device.
You ask: how much citric acid is needed to clean the washing machine? Answer: Measure out two hundred grams of homemade cleaner.
Pour the product into the tray that you usually fill with powder.
Run the machine for a long wash with the highest temperature setting.
It is worth watching the washing and not being distracted, because the washing machine may start to make noise and knock. This will happen because large pieces of scale have begun to come off from it. They must be removed from the unit and the wash turned on again.
When the cleaning process is completed, you will need to check if the rubber parts of the unit have been damaged.
If cleaning with citric acid went well, you can see that, in addition to the liquid, pieces of plaque flow out of the drain hose.

Repeat this procedure every twelve months. We hope you understand that there is nothing complicated in this matter, and understand how much citric acid to pour into the washing machine.

By the way, the formation of fungal deposits in the device is no less dangerous. This is especially bad if you have allergies. And here our home cleaner comes to the rescue: you can clean the washing machine with citric acid. Apply it in the same way as we wrote above. In addition, you can wipe the places with fungal deposits with a solution of citric acid, leaving the product and waiting a couple of tens of minutes.

To keep the washing machine clean

We will tell you about the preventive measures used to protect against dirt in washing machines. To do this, you need to look at the photos and videos, after reading the reviews. For example, it is important:

Frequently wash and wipe the elements of the unit.
When the laundry is washed, do not close the appliance door until the machine has dried properly.
It is good if the washing machine is installed in a well-ventilated area.
Clean device filters.
It is important to pay attention to the parts of the washing machine made of rubber: remove dirt from there.
Apply fluid softeners.

Summarizing

We hope you understand how much citric acid you need to pour in order to clean the device. You can completely carry out this procedure yourself. Follow our advice and don't skimp. It is important to remember that the machine should be cleaned from time to time with citric acid, for the purpose of prevention, and also treat this piece of equipment with care. And then the device, to your delight, will last a very long time without failing, and perfectly washing clothes.

Citric acid inevitably arises in every user of this miracle device, which saves housewives from regular physical effort during washing.

Even the purest tap water that enters an apartment or cottage around the clock cannot prevent the emergence of a question.

A storehouse of folk wisdom for cleaning modern household appliances

Akin to the above question, there can only be a problem related to how to clean a washing machine with vinegar or how to clean a washing machine with baking soda.

This and other related tasks are due to the need to take care of the cleanliness, integrity and safety for a long period of such components of the device as a drum and a heating element, an alternative name for which is a plug.

The need to clean the washing machine with citric acid from scale is associated with the appearance of the latter on these two elements. In the absence of proper attention, the machine quickly fails.

More than one generation has been using citric acid, which is familiar to everyone - one of the effective folk recipes from the "cleaning products" category to solve this well-known problem.

Description of the dosage

Information on how to clean the washing machine from scale and barely emerging black spots covers information about the "portioning" of such a popular remedy as citric acid.

Consider two cases of posing the question of how to clean the washing machine from dirt. The first option is a large car, the second is a washing machine for three to four kilograms of things.

In the first case, 100 grams of the product is needed, in the second, 60 grams will be enough.

The algorithm of actions related to how to clean the washing machine from mold begins with the verification stage. The control process is associated with the inspection of the drum of the apparatus.

Drum Inspection

The ban is due to the fact that citric acid will harm these things, up to bringing them into a completely unusable state.

A detailed description of the sequence of actions in the topic of how to clean the drum of a washing machine from dirt also contains the requirement that there are no foreign objects inside this part of the mechanism, such as buttons and rivets, coins, etc.

It is extremely important that all these little things are not kept in the machine during normal washing, as any of them can harm the drum, which will later spoil the things being washed.

In order to clean the washing machine at home, you need to pour 100 g of citric acid into the main compartment of the device, that is, perform an action similar to filling with ordinary washing powder.

In order to properly treat the machine from smell at home, you need to securely close the drum.

Scale protection

To protect the washing machine from scale, you need to set the mode to the “maximum” indicator. As the latter, the mode of both digestion and bleaching, acceptable for models of the Indesit line, can act.

Additional explanations on the topic of how to properly process the washing machine also include instructions on the temperature in the range of 90-95 degrees Celsius.

Models of the Indesit series during washing with citric acid do not need special attention from users. The owner of the device can safely go about their household chores or immerse themselves in virtual existence.

The only thing that is required of him is to listen to the "sound" of the machine. If too much scale accumulates on the surface of the heating elements and the drum, then under the influence of citric acid they will separate in pieces and then, during the rinsing period, fall into the drain.

The result will be a buzzing sound from the machine. If such a passing “black” surprise occurs, the Indesit device will need to be turned off, after which the broken piece or even pieces of scale should be removed from the drain.

Then you need to start the washer again and bring the program to its natural completion, doing everything necessary so that the machine does not smell musty.

Understanding that "Kandy" and other models is also connected with the need for a thorough check of the drum - small pieces of scale can get stuck in it. In this case, wipe under the rubber band with a clean, damp cloth and thus remove dirt, protecting the device from fungus.

The drain in the washing machine also needs to be checked. It may contain large pieces of scale. The reason for their appearance is separation from the heating element and getting inside during the wash itself.

If these steps are followed, the tank of the washing machine is cleaned easily and without problems. After cleaning the washing machine from mold, you can safely proceed to its usual operation.

The appearance on the washing machine - on the surface of one or another of its components - mold, dirt, etc. can be avoided by adhering to the recommendations of experts. The machine is one of the most important home appliances and requires a cleaning procedure every six months.

First of all, the process is simple and economical. When contacting the master, you will have to spend a significantly larger amount. Water softeners may not meet consumer expectations.

Citric acid is not harmful even in minimal amounts. And most importantly, it does not remain in clothes, unlike many special descalers.

Citric acid belongs to the class of carboxylic acids that react with salts and metals and is used in the production of various professional products.

There is always a choice

A large selection of funds on the shelves of modern specialized stores is combined with information accessibility. Thanks to this, you can always make the best choice, in some situations acquiring expensive products, and in others - referring to proven folk recipes.

Many users of washing machines prefer citric acid, whose stable "reputation" is due to the successful use of more than one generation of housewives.

In order for the washing machine to serve for many years, the masters advise using products that soften the water and clean the parts. But they are not cheap, those who want to find an alternative way will be interested to know how to clean the washing machine with citric acid.

The process of cleaning the washing machine with citric acid

Before starting work

Before proceeding directly to cleaning, take a soft, clean cloth and look under the rubber gasket. It must be wiped with a soft, damp cloth to remove all dirt.

Also look into the drum and check for things in it. No lost socks and handkerchiefs should be left there. Only after making sure that the machine is completely empty, you can start the process.

How much acid is needed

According to the recipe, the powder is calculated depending on the volume of the washing machine. Citric acid is most often found in paper bags. Therefore, for a device of medium volume with a load of 3-4 kg of laundry, it is required to take 3 bags of 20 g each. or 4 bags of 15 gr., that is, you need to get 60 gr. powder. In the case of weight packaging, take a couple of tablespoons with a slide.

Do not overdo it with the amount of acid - if it is in excess, it can damage the rubber and plastic parts of the machine. Then, instead of extending the service life, you will get the opposite effect.

How to clean a larger washing machine? You need to increase the amount of citric acid. If the drum is designed for a load of 5 kg, then you will need 100-150 gr. powder.

Cleaning instruction

Taking into account the recommendations on how to get started, and how much acid to choose, you can clean your machine in this algorithm:

It is necessary to fall asleep in the compartment for washing powder or directly into the drum the required amount of lemon powder. The first option is preferable, since it will allow you to clean all the details due to contact with the powder.
Select a washing program with heated water of at least 60°C. Most often, this temperature can be achieved due to the "Cotton" mode. If the washer has not been cleaned for a long time, then choose the highest temperature setting. The program should be complete, including both rinsing and spinning.
We start the washing machine, and if it is possible to look at what will come out of the drain, then after the allotted time you will see the amount of dirt and incomprehensible deposits that were inside your assistant.
After the work cycle is completed, lift the rubber pad, check for scale pieces under it. If there are, wipe the parts and the drum with a soft cloth and leave the machine door open until it is completely dry.

In order for the scale to accumulate as little as possible, it is necessary to carry out additional cleaning in addition to the main cleaning. It is advised to do them once a quarter with a temperature of 60 ° C.

Benefits of cleansing

Citric acid was chosen for such cleaning not by chance, but due to the following characteristics:

is an excellent low-cost option for maintaining the internal cleanliness of the machine;
completely rinsed out during the rinsing process;
a natural remedy that does not harm the sensitive skin of babies and adults with problem skin;
due to its composition (class of carboxylic acids), it reacts with deposits that accumulate on the heating element and other parts of the machine, and dissolves them.

Why do you need to clean up?

Inside all washers there is a heating element, which over time, under the influence of impurities contained in the water, becomes covered with a coating. In addition, as the temperature rises, the salts in the water are converted into a precipitate, which gradually becomes larger and thicker.

Also, the appearance of a kind of “skin” is affected by how often clothes or fabric with pile are washed. When washing, especially in the spin mode, part of it gets into the water and, of course, reaches the heating element.

The more plaque accumulates on the heating element, the more electricity it spends for heating, trying to "reach out" to the desired temperature under the accumulated layer. Ultimately, this can lead to both increased electricity consumption during washing, and to the fact that the spiral will burn out one day.

In order not to look in the future for an answer to the question “how to clean a washing machine?” it is only necessary to carry out periodic prophylaxis, which will not allow plaque to turn into a thick layer.

How to check if there is scale?

If you are not sure that your machine needs cleaning and want to check if the heating element is really attacked by lime deposits, you can check it yourself.

Take a flashlight.
Shine into the lower holes in the drum, trying to see the heating element. Usually it is located directly under the drum of the washing machine.
Seeing something is not always easy. Try swinging the drum at different speeds - sometimes a little faster, sometimes slower - to see the heating element through the holes.

Scale is most often formed when washing in the "Boiling" mode or heating water above 60 ° C. If you usually wash at a lower temperature, then there is not so much scale. To minimize its appearance on the heating element, choose washing powders containing water softeners and carry out preventive cleaning every 4-6 months.

Cleaning Precautions

What is important to consider before cleaning the washing machine.

Do not turn on the machine when cleaning on a mode with too high a temperature and a lot of powder. Due to the high intensity of chemical processes, acid can damage the plastic and rubber parts of the machine.
Do not fill the tray with more than the amount of acid specified in the recipe. It reacts quite actively to the formed scale, and heating only enhances the degree of reaction.
Cleaning with citric acid should only be done with an empty drum, otherwise it will turn out that the acid will corrode not only scale, but also your things.
With a large amount of scale on the heating element during the cleaning process, pieces may fall off and fall into the drain. If this happens, characteristic noises can be heard. In this case, it is necessary to pause the washing process and pull out the stuck pieces, releasing the drain.

Video instruction on how to clean the washing machine with a lemon

For a visual representation of the whole process, check out the video. The author tells in detail how to clean and in what order.

We hope that with the help of the article you learned how to clean the washing machine with citric acid. Cleaning is easy and hassle free. Limanic acid itself is a natural remedy and rinses out completely without harm to the skin of your pets.

My washing machine is more than four years old, it serves me faithfully, and I didn’t know worries with it ... until recently. Last year I began to notice some oddities during washing. It turns out that you need to soften the water and descale the machine in time. How? I'll tell you about it.

Once, after washing, I saw faded splashes on white things. I did not succeed in washing them off - the spoiled linen went to the dacha. And after a while I decided to wash dark linen, and then I started washing light linen - and it all became darker, as if a black shedding sock was caught among the linen. Actually it wasn't there!

Sometimes you have to wash at 90 ° C - before, during the first drain, there was very hot water. Now - the water is just “hot”, and the washing machine has become longer. In the end, I got tired of all this, and I decided to figure out what the matter was and how to deal with it.

Why wash your car with citric acid?

What was the matter - I didn’t have to look for a long time, everything pointed to the formation of scale inside the washing machine, and the main folk remedy against it was citric acid. Cleaning with this tool is universal, as it is suitable for both a washing machine and other equipment that collects scale.

Stage 1. Diagnosis

Scale is solid deposits, usually calcareous. They are formed on the surface of the heating element during a chemical reaction that occurs during the heating of tap water.

The heating element suffers to a greater extent, but scale is deposited on all surfaces with which warm water comes into contact. This is primarily the walls of the tank of the washing machine and the outer part of the drum.

The higher the temperature of water heating, the more active the chemical reaction occurs, due to which scale is formed. That is, the more often you wash at high temperatures, the thicker the scale and the more often it needs to be removed.

How to understand that a plaque has formed on the heating element and other parts of the washing machine and it is time to take action?

Image	Cause
	Plaque. By itself, it is loose. During washing, crumbs leave it and fall into the drum with linen. In this case, stains appear on things that are very difficult or impossible to remove.
	The machine takes a long time to wash. As the heating element grows with scale, the energy consumption will increase, it will be more and more difficult for the machine to heat the water to the desired temperature, more time and energy will be spent on this.
	White linen darkened. The villi of clothing are deposited on the loose surface of the scale - this further increases the thickness of the plaque. The villi absorb the dye when washing faded clothes. Then they give her white clothes, so she darkens.
	muddy water. When the tank is already quite dirty, small pieces of scale begin to fall off. They can be seen while draining the water.
	Bad smell from the drum. From laundry during washing, dirt is partially deposited on the surfaces of scale. Plus, tap water contains dirt, rust and even organic matter - all this is deposited on the internal parts of the machine. As a result, an unpleasant musty smell may come out of the drum.

If your washing machine is over a year old, you often wash at high (60 ° C or more) temperatures, and you have noticed one of the problems described - cleaning the washing machine is a must.

Step 2: Troubleshoot

Here are a few ways to deal with limescale:

Image	Description
	Lemon acid How to clean a washing machine with citric acid? The instruction will be like this: How much to pour? You will need 0.5–1 cup of citric acid. Pour it into the detergent drawer or directly into the washing machine drum. Run the washing cycle for about 1 hour with the maximum water temperature (90-95 °C). You don't need a spin function. When the machine starts draining the water, see if any noticeable clods of dirt and flakes will drain. Run the rinse 1-2 times after the procedure is completed. The price of this cleaning method is the lowest.
	Antinakipin In household chemical stores, you can also find anti-scale products, such as Antinakipin. It must be used according to the instructions, observing the proportions. This is a stronger remedy than food citric acid.
	Master's call If you doubt that the problem was identified correctly, if you are afraid to spoil something, you can always call a washing machine repairman.

Step 3: Precautions

Do not use citric acid often, since the acidic environment is very aggressive. The product can react with various parts of the washing machine, which will significantly damage them.

Often suffer from acid and aluminum parts, and rubber - harden and become brittle. Sometimes even grease is washed out of the seals, and the tank starts to leak.

But if you once descaled the machine with a large amount of lemon - it's okay. But the frequent use of citric acid can lead to damage to the machine.

Remember, after cleaning the machine with citric acid, be sure to rinse it. That is, turn on the rinse mode at least twice.

If you didn't succeedclean washing machinecitric acid, then most likely you:

poured a little of this substance;
chose a low temperature regime;
or the procedure lasted too short a period of time.

Stage 4. Prevention

Is it possible to avoid the formation of scale? Yes, there are several preventive measures:

Once every six months / year, descale the machine with citric acid.
Install filters on the water pipe, purifying and softening water.

Add additional water softeners with each wash.
Use for washing powders, which already include water softening substances These items are usually more expensive.

When buying a washing machine, find out which means of protection against scale used by the manufacturer in their models. For example, a heating element with a ceramic coating is very smooth. Therefore, scale builds up much more slowly.
Less frequently washed at high temperatures.

Conclusion

If you notice any failures when washing things in the machine, this is a signal that it needs to be descaled. How to do this, I described in detail. If preventive measures are taken in time, then scale will not appear at all.

The video in this article will demonstrate clearly how to clean the washing machine with citric acid. If you have any questions - please contact in the comments!

To clean the washing machine from scale, you will need 100 g of citric acid, which is poured into the powder compartment or drum. Washing is carried out on the maximum mode with an additional rinse. To enhance the effect, disinfect and remove odors, vinegar or bleach is added to the lemongrass.

To prevent breakdowns of the heating element, deterioration of washing results, excessive consumption of electricity, periodic descaling of heating and other elements of the washing machine is required. But the use of strong chemical additives and cleaning agents is not always acceptable. In such cases, we recommend using lemon powder. To achieve the desired effect and not ruin the unit, find out how to rinse the washing machine with citric acid, how much to pour the crystalline powder and how often to clean.

When to Clean Your Machine

But you must admit, few of the busy housewives will do this trick.

There are real signs that will tell you for sure that it's time to get rid of scale. It is necessary to start cleaning in the following cases:

The quality of washing has deteriorated in the previous modes and when using a standard washing powder.
Pieces of scale remain on washed clothes - a neglected case.
White clothes become grayish or yellowish after washing.

Urgent cleaning is necessary if over the past 2-3 years the machine has not been washed with chemicals, repairs have been carried out in the water supply system, there have been failures in the water supply.

Guaranteed to tell you the presence of scale in the car, kettle, provided that you do not use filtered or bottled water for boiling.

Advice! Make it a rule to descale your washing machine once every 3-4 months or every time.

With non-intensive use of the machine, it will be enough to clean the scale once every six months.

Properties and effectiveness of citric acid from scale

Lemon "works" due to the increased concentration of acids in the powder.

It is the acid that breaks down the crystallized salts of calcium, magnesium, of which the scale consists.

In addition, citric acid has disinfectant properties, that is, it kills most pathogenic bacteria and fungus. Therefore, the powder is used to combat mold and unpleasant odors.

And most importantly, it is an affordable, safe and cheap remedy that does not provoke allergic reactions, poisoning and other negative effects of chemistry.

How to clean your car with citric acid

First of all, citric acid from scale is used. But she can also remove the smell from the car, and clean the exterior parts of the washing machine from grease stains.

How to clean the machine with a lemon from scale

Clean the washer with a clean lemon, following the instructions below:

Empty the drum from the laundry - the acidic concentrated powder negatively affects the quality of the clothes.
Pour 100 g of lemon into the powder compartment.
Set the machine to the maximum allowed temperature.
Program an extra rinse immediately.

Note! If there is no extra rinse program, start it after the end of the wash cycle manually.

Start the washing program.
At the end of the cycle, check the drum for small pieces of scale that need to be removed manually.

During processing, clicks, crunches and other non-standard sounds for washing can be heard. This is not a cause for concern, but signs of the effect of acid on scale, which breaks off, collapses.

It is undesirable to leave the unit unattended during processing, especially when the drain is turned on. Large pieces of limescale can clog the drain hole, causing flooding.

Advice! If the machine stops draining water, interrupt the program immediately to clean the filter.

How to rinse the machine with a lemon, in detail in the video:

How to clean a car with table vinegar and citric acid

Citric and acetic acids are used in the household as independent ingredients for cleaning scale and greasy stains. In combination, they give a double effect.

The washing scheme of the machine remains the same. At the same time, we adjust the dosage of the funds - you will need 100 g of citric acid and a glass of vinegar. To enhance the effect, you can add soda - 50 g.

For general cleaning, set the temperature to 90 degrees. If flushing is carried out regularly, it will be enough to start the car idling at 60 degrees.

How to wash the washer with citric acid and bleach

Chlorine has a powerful bleaching and disinfecting effect. Therefore, if the unit began to emit a stench or mold, black stains and blotches appeared on the parts, it is worth cleaning the machine with bleach and citric acid.

To do this, pour 100 g of lemongrass into the powder compartment, and a glass of chlorine-containing bleach into the compartment for liquid and gel-like products.

Important! Be sure to open windows and keep children out of the bleach room.

Chlorine can be replaced with any chlorine bleach. Oxygen and optical brighteners are powerless in this case. Use liquid bleach to flush the unit:

"White";
"ACE Gentle whitening";
"Domestos".

If you use dry bleach, sprinkle 100 g of powder along with a lemon.

In the fight against scale and mold, a dry bleach cleaner will help:

"Cinderella Whiteness";
"Sail";
"Stork";
"365 days".

Important! It is strictly forbidden to use chlorine-containing bleaches for or a dishwasher.

How to clean the drum with citric acid

If scale has formed directly on the surface of the drum, citric acid will also help to cope with the problem, but the cleaning algorithm of the washing machine is changing.

Where to pour lemon powder, into a drum or powder compartment, it does not matter. After all, with the flow of water, the acid will still end up in the drum.

The main thing, in this case, after the maximum heating of the water, pause the program. It will take about 1 hour to turn off the drum. Then start the machine to continue the wash cycle.

After the end of the program, remove the limescale from the drum, clean the drain filter and start another rinse.

Negative effects of citric acid

Citric acid is used not only in everyday life, but also for cooking, canning, and the manufacture of cosmetics. Therefore, it is absolutely safe for humans. Even if lemon particles remain in the drum and get on clothes, towels during washing, there will be no negative consequences.

But how does the effect of acids on the condition of the machine itself? If you follow, the unit will not suffer:

Do not increase the dosage of the ingredients - this will not enhance the effect, and the rubber parts will suffer (become stiffer).
Carry out preventive washing with acids no more than once a quarter - clean heating elements and other metal parts are susceptible to damage with frequent contact with acids.
If the unit has not been washed out for 4–5 years, you should not resort to self-cleaning of scale.

During this time, the crystallized layer has reached such dimensions that it will not be possible to completely remove it with improvised and chemical means. And partial exposure of heating elements leads to failure of elements. In such situations, it is better to resort to the services of service centers or remove the heating element for general cleaning.

How to clean the heating element of a washing machine with citric acid is shown in the video:

The best way to deal with scale is to prevent its occurrence. To prevent the formation of plaque, periodically clean with a lemon in a reduced dosage (60 g of powder) at a temperature of 60-70 degrees. If you want to forget about scale forever, install a water filter.

Larisa, July 24, 2018.