Each of us has had the problem: If the laundry suddenly smells unpleasant or the rubber seals look dirty, then the time has come to clean the washing machine. In addition to conventional cleaning products, several home remedies are often touted online for their disinfectant properties. But to what extent do they really work? In today's article we will take a closer look at vinegar and citric acid and check whether they are really a good alternative to the most well-known home remedy - dishwasher tabs. Cleaning the washing machine with vinegar, citric acid or dishwasher tabs – which is actually better?
Cleaning the washing machine with dishwasher tablets: How effective are dishwasher tablets?
We all know the trick - if the washing machine suddenly stinks, simply put two dishwasher tablets in the drum and start an empty cycle at at least 60 degrees Celsius. This is how you remove odors and dirt. Perhaps the biggest advantage of the home remedy is that it is not harmful. And it works! Ultimately they areDishwasher tabs for similar use- made in the dishwasher. They therefore contain special active ingredients that remove dirt and are not harmful to humans. The tabs also have strong antibacterial properties, can dissolve oils and even remove stains from clothing. An important prerequisite for a good end result is the washing temperature. The dishwasher tabs dissolve best at 60 degrees Celsius. By the way, a high temperature also has a disinfecting effect and can kill germs.
However, before you test the trick yourself or use a home remedyCleaning the washing machineYou should definitely make sure that the manufacturer allows it. Many manufacturers explicitly explain in the instruction manuals which home remedies can damage the washing machine and which ones you can use. Strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The advantages and disadvantages of dishwashing detergents at a glance
Advantages:
+ The dishwasher tablets remove limescale, odors and dirt.
+ They are not harmful.
+ They disinfect and exude a gentle aroma.
Disadvantages:
– The home remedy is mild and can only help with slightly dirty washing machines.
– Sometimes you have to repeat the process.
Summary: The dishwasher tablets can be used every two to three months to disinfect the washing machine. If you clean the washing machine regularly, limescale deposits will not build up and mold will not form. If your washing machine is very dirty, this home remedy is less effective.
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Vinegar is also touted as a miracle cure for mold, limescale and odors. In fact, vinegar and vinegar essence are often used in the bathroom, where they are used as cleaning agents for tiles, grout and ceramic surfaces and have proven to be effective against germs.
Nevertheless, it is not advisable to use it in the washing machine. Vinegar is very aggressive and makes rubber seals brittle. The household remedy also attacks metal and can damage the washing machine in the long term. Even more so - after treatment with vinegar, the damage often goes unnoticed. They are only discovered after some time, when the washing machine runs out.
However, you can safely clean part of the washing machine with vinegar. This is the detergent compartment. Take it out, fill a plastic bucket with 2 liters of hot water and add 100 ml of vinegar to the water. Then put the detergent dispenser in the water and leave it there for about 30 minutes. At the end of the exposure time, remove the detergent compartment, rinse thoroughly, wash and allow to dry.
Summary: You can only use vinegar to clean the detergent compartment. The household remedy can cause damage in the washing machine.
Can you clean the washing machine with citric acid?
In principle, you can also clean the washing machine with citric acid. Citric acid has a similar effect to vinegar - it dissolves dirt and limescale, removes odors and disinfects. Since this is an acid, it can also damage metal parts and seals.
However, since the home remedy can clean even heavily soiled washing machines, it can be used under certain circumstances and only in exceptional cases. Simply add 2 to 4 tablespoons of citric acidDetergent dispenser compartmentand starts an empty wash cycle at 60 degrees Celsius. As long as this doesn't happen regularly, but at most once a year, and as long as the manufacturer allows it, you can clean the washing machine with it.
Summary: Using citric acid makes sense for heavily soiled washing machines. However, this should really happen in exceptional cases and you should also check whether the manufacturer allows it.
