Clean beddingand scented clothes: The washing machine is one of the most important household appliances. However, it is often neglected when cleaning. The result: smelly laundry and limescale deposits. We explain how to clean the washing machine and how to clean the drum and rubber seals.
Cleaning the washing machine: Why should we clean the drum, rubber seals and hoses regularly?
Smelly laundry, towels that feel hard, and high energy consumption are sure signs that you need to clean your washing machine. But why does this actually happen?
- Gentle wash cycles:Clothes are increasingly being washed at 30 degrees Celsius. On the one hand, because the fabrics are very sensitive, and on the other hand, because the detergents promise good cleaning even at low washing temperatures. The result: Germs accumulate in the rubber seals and hoses. Bacteria and fungi cannot be killed at 30 degrees Celsius.
- Standing water in the sink compartment: Depending on the model, water may remain in the dishwasher compartment after washing. Water often collects in the rubber seals too. This is aPrerequisite for mold formation.
- Detergent residue:If the detergent does not do what it promises and does not dissolve completely at temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius, then detergent residue can accumulate and cause damage. An unpleasant smell is a sure sign that you should act quickly and remove the detergent residue.
Summary: Germs, mold and limescale deposits should be removed regularly. Germs are usually killed at temperatures above 60, ideally even above 90 degrees Celsius. You can also get rid of mold and limescale deposits with certain thingsClean with home remedies.
Cleaning the washing machine: How to clean the device step by step
Clean your washing machine regularly. This means you can save yourself a thorough cleaning twice a year and always have a perfectly functioning device. Proceed as follows:
- Clean the device from the outside.Use household and catering cleaning cloths or damp all-purpose cloths to wipe down the washing machine and remove dirt. If necessary, you can wipe the surface with microfiber cloths with a fine structure and special cleaning products for device surfaces.
- Follow the instructions for use andclean the lint filter. The process is similar for all models: you find the drain hose (it is located behind a flap in the lower part of the device), let the water flow out, then take out the lint filter and clean it. Tip: Line the floor in front of the washing machine with towels or cleaning rags and always have a soup plate, lunch box or frying pan within easy reach to catch the water.
- The rubber sealsyou can wipe with a microfiber cloth. You can also use a home remedy to remove dirt and mold.
- The detergent compartmentYou can place it in a deep container and let it soak in a solution of vinegar and water for 1-2 hours. Then rinse the detergent compartment thoroughly to remove any detergent residue and let it dry.
- For the drumProceed as follows: First run the washing machine empty at 90 degrees Celsius to kill germs. Then open the washing machine and leave the door open for about an hour. Then you can use a special cleaning agent or clean the drum with one of the following home remedies.
Clean the washing machine: The following home remedies can be used
There are numerous home remedies that you can use to clean the washing machine.
Attention: To ensure that no damage occurs, you should seek advice from the manufacturer to be on the safe side.
–Washing machine with dishwashing tabsclean. Do you want to remove dirt and limescale deposits but don't have a special cleaning agent at hand? Then dishwashing tablets are ideal. Put a dishwashing tablet in the drum and let the washing machine run empty again at at least 60 degrees Celsius.
– If used correctly, it cancitric acidWork wonders in the household. This makes it easy to descale various devices. Some manufacturers of baby equipment even recommend regular descaling with citric acid. Citric acid is available in drugstores in powder form. Depending on the degree of dirt (is there an unpleasant smell or do you simply want to descale and disinfect the washing machine?), add between 6 and 8 tablespoons of citric acid powder directly into the drum and let the washing machine run at 90 degrees Celsius.
–Baking soda, baking powder, soda:The three home remedies have a similar effect and are primarily used to remove limescale deposits. For optimal effect, you can combine them with white wine vinegar. However, you should be careful with vinegar - you can find out more about this below.
Baking sodaprotects the rubber seals and, in combination with high temperatures, can successfully kill germs and loosen limescale deposits in hard-to-reach places. Simply pour 50 g of baking soda into the detergent compartment and start a wash cycle at 90 degrees (without prewash). Do not add any detergent and let the washing machine run empty. At the end you can choose an additional rinse cycle. Leave the washing machine open. Remove the detergent compartment and rinse it under running water.
baking powdercan replace baking soda. Put two 15g packets in a bowl, add 50g - 100g water and stir until it has a creamy consistency. Then pour the baking soda cream into the detergent compartment and start a main wash cycle at 90 degrees Celsius. Let the washing machine run empty (without laundry).
Sodais another variant of home remedies. You can use washing soda for cleaning. Dosage: For heavy soiling, add 4 - 6 tablespoons of powder to the detergent compartment and let the washing machine run empty at 90 degrees Celsius. For regular cleaning, you can mix 1 tablespoon of washing soda with washing powder and select a main program without prewash at 60 degrees Celsius.
–Vinegaroften used to remove deposits in the washing machine. However, experts advise against its use. Although the home remedy can reliably remove limescale residues, it can also damage certain parts of the washing machine. For example, the vinegar makes seals, hoses and other plastic details brittle. Incidentally, the vinegar reacts with bleach and various bleaching agents, producing a harmful gas. So you should handle it very carefully. It is best to use white vinegar (clear, 5% acid) to clean the detergent drawer.
Clean the washing machine regularly and prevent limescale deposits
If your laundry suddenly starts to smell, you should clean the washing machine thoroughly. Luckily, the germs can be killed quickly. Limescale deposits, on the other hand, are more problematic because they can cause major damage. Therefore, you should clean the washing machine regularly. These tips will help you:
1. Clean the washing machine once a month. This saves you time and effort.
2. Do not overload the washing machine so that the detergent can be dissolved into the water and rinsed off.
3. Use the detergent sparingly. Sure, fragrant laundry is something special. But the excess detergent cannot be dissolved during the wash cycle and is deposited in the water hoses. If you notice that you have added too much detergent, you can start an extra rinse cycle.
4. Run the washing machine empty at 90 degrees Celsius once a month. Unless otherwise stated, cleaning rags, underwear and bath towels can be washed at 90 degrees.
