Washing machine cleaning tips

Creating a cozy summer home that serves as a peaceful retreat requires carefully selected appliances that enhance comfort without sacrificing style or efficiency. At Appliances 4 Less Charleston, we offer residents near James Island, Charleston Heights, Ashley Shores, Fort Burr, Drum Island, a selection of open-box, scratched and dented appliances that are perfect for enhancing your summer living. Here is our guide to the must-have appliances for a cozy summer home.

As an indispensable electrical appliance in modern families, washing machines are often easy to hide dirt, scale, mold and other hidden dangers in the process of frequent use. These hidden pollutants may not only reduce the washing effect, shorten the life of the machine, but also affect the quality of cleaning clothes, and even bring odor and health risks. This article will systematically introduce several practical and effective washing machine cleaning methods to help you establish correct cleaning habits, so that your washing machine will last as long as new and your laundry will feel more at ease.

(1)、Use special cleaning agent

The special cleaning agent is a chemical cleaning product designed for the internal structure of the washing machine (especially the inner and outer collet layers of the pulsator type washing machine, the outer wall of the inner drum and the lifting ribs of the drum type washing machine). The formulation usually contains surfactants, chelating agents (e. g., sodium citrate), peroxygen-based bleaching agents (e. g., sodium percarbonate), and enzymes.

1. decontamination principle

①.The surfactant helps to peel off the attached dirt.

②.Chelating agents can combine calcium and magnesium ions in water to soften scale.

③.Peroxygen bleach releases active oxygen in warm water, which can oxidize and decompose organic stains and has certain sterilization and disinfection effects.

④. Enzyme preparation can be targeted to decompose protein, fat and other specific dirt.

2. method of operation

Pour the 1 bag detergent directly into the washing machine drum (non-detergent box), select the mode of "drum self-cleaning" or "cotton and linen washing", set the water temperature at 40 ℃-60 ℃ (refer to the product description for details), and run a complete washing program. If there is no special program, you can choose standard washing, soak for 2-4 hours after operation to complete the washing.

Frequency of use: It is recommended to use it every 1-2 months.

(2)、The use of white vinegar and baking soda

This is the 1 cleaning method using common household substances.

1. cleaning effect

①.White vinegar (mainly composed of acetic acid) is a weak acid, which can effectively dissolve alkaline dirt (such as some soap scale) and some mineral deposits (such as calcium carbonate in scale).

②.Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a weak alkaline substance, which can neutralize acidic stains, and has a slight friction cleaning effect, while helping to eliminate odors.

2. method of operation:

①.White vinegar cleaning circulation system: pour about 200-300 ml of white vinegar into the detergent distribution box (softener is better) or directly into the inner cylinder, and run a complete washing program with warm water (about 40 ℃). This helps to clean the detergent delivery pipe and the inner barrel.

②. Baking soda to clean the drum wall: after the program is finished, sprinkle about 100-150 grams of baking soda into the inner drum of the washing machine, start the washing machine again, select the highest water level and hot water mode (above 60 ℃ is  appropriate), pause (or select soaking program) after running the washing program for 5-10 minutes, make the solution fully function for 1-2 hours, and then complete the whole washing and rinsing process.

Note: The cleaning ability of this method for heavy dirt may not be as good as that of professional cleaners, and it should be avoided to mix vinegar and baking soda directly into a concentrated solution and pour it in large quantities to avoid a large amount of gas.

(3)、Clean the filter and drainage pump

The filter of the washing machine (usually located behind or at the top of the lower right panel of the front of the fuselage) and the drain pump are responsible for intercepting the eluted fibers, hair, coins and other sundries to prevent clogging of the drain pipe. The clogging of the filter will directly affect the drainage speed, increase the pump load, and even cause malfunctions and odors.

1. operation method: According to the guidelines of the product manual, open the filter cover regularly (once a month is recommended), unscrew the filter screen counterclockwise (some models need to drain the accumulated water first), remove the collected debris, flush the filter screen with clean water and reset.

2. anti-odor measures: check whether the end of the drain pipe is immersed in the floor drain water, and keep it suspended to help prevent sewage suction and odor generation.

(4)、The use of chlorine disinfectant

In cases where significant mildew or suspected microbial contamination has occurred, intensive disinfection can be carried out with low concentrations of chlorine bleach (e. g. sodium hypochlorite solution). Sodium hypochlorite has strong oxidation, can effectively kill a variety of microorganisms and bleaching mildew.

1. operation method: Dilute about 100 ml of household bleach (effective chlorine content is about 5%) with a large amount of clear water (or refer to washing machine capacity and product description), pour into the empty washing machine inner drum, and select hot water program (above 60 ℃) to run a complete washing-rinsing cycle.

2. precautions:

①. Good ventilation should be ensured during operation.

②. It is strictly forbidden to mix bleach with acidic cleaning agents (such as toilet cleaning spirit and white vinegar) to avoid toxic chlorine gas.

③. This method should not be used frequently, so as not to accelerate the aging of rubber and metal parts.

④. After the end of the procedure, the clean water procedure can be run again to reduce the residue.

(5)、Hydrogen peroxide immersion

Hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide, usually 3% medical concentration) is also the 1 kind of oxidizing disinfectant, which decomposes into water and oxygen after its action, which is relatively environmentally friendly and less corrosive than chlorine-containing disinfectants.

1. application: Suitable for light disinfection and bleaching needs.

2. operation method: add about 500 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution into the inner cylinder of the empty washing machine, select the hot water mode to inject water to the high water level, manually set the soaking for 2-3 hours, and then complete a complete

washing and rinsing procedure.

Conclusion

Keeping the washing machine clean is far from just out of care for the machine, but also the responsibility for the cleanliness of the clothes and the health of the family. By regularly using special cleaning agents, skillfully matching white vinegar and baking soda, not missing the cleaning of filters and drain pumps, and using disinfectants to strengthen the treatment when necessary, you can effectively remove dirt and microorganisms from the washing machine. May these methods help you easily guard this invisible cleansing, so that freshness and health are always with you.