Any washing machine needs special care. In addition to taking good care of your equipment, regular cleaning is recommended. Many people use expensive purchased products for this purpose, while others successfully use traditional methods. Cleaning a washing machine with soda is a procedure that can easily be done at home. Many people find it a simple and effective way to get rid of plaque and dirt.
Causes of scale, unpleasant odor and dirt in the washing machine
As a rule, the appearance of plaque depends on the composition of the water. Filters are not capable of perfectly purifying water. High levels of calcium, magnesium, and iron affect the quality of the liquid. This type of water is commonly called “hard”.
When water with dissolved microelements is heated, carbon dioxide and sediment appear. Insoluble deposits form on the heating elements of the washing machine. To operate effectively, the heating element requires more effort. The amount of electricity consumed increases.
If you do not clean the heater in time and do not take care of maintaining thermal conductivity, this will lead to damage to the part. As a result, the machine as a whole is not working. It is not always possible to repair such faults.
In addition to scale, your home washing machine develops an unpleasant odor. The causes are different:
- use of low quality detergents. The solutions are not washed off, leaving a soap residue. A fungus with a specific pungent odor appears;
- storing dirty laundry directly in the machine;
- After washing clothes, equipment is not ventilated. Closes tightly when wet. Moisture accumulates on the parts, which is a favorable environment for mold to appear.
Calcified or regular – what to choose
Which soda is best to use is up to the housewife to decide. It depends on the availability of a certain product at hand, the degree of contamination of things, and the composition of the fabrics. Regular food is in every person's kitchen, it is accessible. You need to look for calcined one, as it is not sold in all supermarkets and hardware stores. True, in our time of digital technology, it will not be difficult to order Sodium carbonate on a website on the Internet. Keep in mind that food grade food will do the job well if things are moderately dirty and the stains are not permanent. And calcined is a heavy weapon against difficult-to-remove contaminants - traces of fat, tea, coffee, grass, red wine, etc. And it can be used when strong whitening is required.
What ingredients can be combined with baking soda to clean a washing machine?
Let's share the secrets of how to clean a washing machine with soda with the addition of additional substances. As a rule, the washing machine is cleaned with a soda solution and water. To enhance the effect, you can add vinegar, soap solution, and citric acid.
It is safe to clean your car using a hydrogen peroxide solution. The peroxide composition is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned. Leave for 30–60 minutes. Then wipe the surface with a damp sponge soaked in soda solution.
Vinegar is a solution of water and acetic acid. To clean household appliances, use a 9% acid solution. If you don’t have the required concentration of apple cider vinegar at home, but you have the essence (70%), you can prepare the required composition yourself. Vinegar concentrate is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:7.
Acid together with alkali help to clean the deposits that have appeared and the dirt that has become ingrained on the surface. You can add a soap solution from washing concentrate or powder to baking soda and vinegar. The resulting foam, together with soda and acid, effectively cleans plaque.
If the equipment is very dirty, you cannot do without citric acid. The recipe using baking soda, vinegar, and citric acid proved to be excellent. The components are taken in equal proportions. The composition perfectly cleanses old petrified scale, removes unpleasant odors, and fights black mold.
In addition to baking soda, soda ash is used to clean surfaces.
Be careful: alkali is aggressive. It is allowed to work only with gloves. Contact with skin may result in burns.
In addition to baking soda ash, there is another type - caustic soda. If we compare the impact of alkalis on humans, caustic soda is the most dangerous.
It is used exclusively in chemical plants in compliance with strict safety regulations.
In what cases is it permissible to add, and when should it not be done?
The use of baking powder is justified in the following cases:
- elimination of unpleasant odors - for example, cigarette smoke;
- enhancing the whitening effect;
- softening the hardness of water - the more ideal its balance, the better the item is washed;
- disinfection in situations where the use of other agents causes an allergic reaction;
- Instead of conditioner, baking soda will provide excellent softness to your laundry.
You should not use baking powder if:
- the composition of the fabric does not tolerate any aggressive influence - usually this information is indicated on the label of the item;
- the material fades.
Read about how to use washing soda in the washing machine and by hand here.
Advantages and disadvantages of using soda compositions
The main advantage of homemade soda compositions is their affordable price compared to professional cleaning solutions. Soda, vinegar, and soap are tens of times cheaper than store-bought anti-plaque products.
Cleaning a washing machine at home with baking soda is affordable for families of any income. The quality of cleaning with folk remedies is not inferior to special anti-plaque compounds.
At home, you can easily descale your washing machine with soda without harming the pipes or plastic. According to housewives, homemade solutions work no worse than store-bought products.
They do not harm the environment and do not cause allergies. Cope with odors and dirt. Doesn't take long to clean. In just a few minutes you get a clean surface without much effort or expense.
The disadvantages of traditional methods include a weak effect in case of severe pollution. If no one has worked on the automatic machine for a long time, you will have to clean it 2-3 times with soda and acetic acid. The substances will gradually reduce the layer of formations and clean the surface.
In particularly difficult situations, only professional products will help restore cleanliness. The concentrated composition will clean the heater from a layer of solid formations.
Powder container
This part of the car is rarely looked into. Often they simply automatically pour in the cleaning agent and quickly close the lid. Take a closer look and it's not hard to spot dirt, debris, mold and mildew. The picture is very unpleasant, so it is better to clean it more often. After all, all the contaminants in this part of the machine are constantly in contact with the drum and your laundry.
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Cleaning the powder container of the washing machine
Methods for cleaning the powder compartment are described in detail here:
- First you need to remove the container from the compartment. Then take a sponge and use a detergent or soap to clean the interior of any dirt.
- The most difficult thing is to get rid of the plaque itself. Toilet bowl cleaner or any cleaning products containing chlorine are perfect for this purpose. It is recommended to take approximately 30 ml, pour into the compartment and let stand for about an hour and a half. Plaque and mold will dissolve during this time, and the fungus will go away along with them.
To prevent the appearance of plaque and mold, it is best to clean the container after every 4-5 washes. This way you can avoid unpleasant consequences.
Cleaning the washer: step-by-step instructions
Regular cleaning of equipment helps remove dirt on external surfaces, sealing rubber, drum, and powder tray.
How to clean mold on the rubber band of a washing machine with soda and vinegar
Constant moisture on the sealing rubber serves as a favorable environment for the growth of fungus. The unpleasant odor from mold lingers for a long time and fills the bathroom. The fungus can be transmitted to linen, thereby harming human health. Home helpers - apple cider vinegar and baking soda do an excellent job of killing harmful mushrooms.
The procedure for cleaning the surface with acetic acid solution:
- add 1 glass of table vinegar to the powder compartment;
- turn on the machine for a long period with hot water;
- After finishing washing, repeat rinsing with clean water;
- wipe dry and ventilate equipment.
You can clean your washing machine using baking soda in the following way. Dilute baking soda with water (one teaspoon per 200 milliliters of water). Using the resulting solution, use a sponge or cloth to wipe the contaminated surface of the gum.
With regular maintenance you can get rid of the appearance of dark solutions and dirt on the rubber.
Cleaning the tray
At the beginning of the procedure, it is necessary to remove the powder tray from the equipment. The resulting solid deposits are removed in several stages. First, soak the tray in a bowl of water, adding one tablespoon of citric acid.
As soon as the hissing from the acid stops, the tray is lowered into hot water with diluted soda ash (we work STRICTLY with gloves). To simplify the procedure, it is permissible to use baking soda. Soak the tray for at least two hours. The composition perfectly helps to cope with black mold on plastic.
Cleaning the outside of the car
Lime deposits appear not only on the internal parts of equipment. The loading hatch, outer panel, and walls become covered with unsightly yellow spots over time. Stains from dried water become visible.
How to clean the outside of a washing machine with baking soda: take a clean, soft cloth or sponge. Soak in the prepared solution of vinegar, soda, water. Wipe down the outside of the equipment. Rinse the sponge with running water. Wipe the surfaces again, removing stains. It is convenient to clean hard-to-reach places with an old toothbrush.
Regular cleaning will preserve the neat appearance of your equipment for a long time.
Cleaning the drum and heating element of the washing machine
The drum is a place for storing laundry. The heating element is the heating element of the washing machine. Metal parts should not have a rough coating. Heat exchange is disrupted, work becomes difficult, equipment breaks down.
Cleaning your washing machine at home with baking soda is easy.
Algorithm for cleaning the drum and heating element:
- Divide the package of baking soda into two parts;
- pour one part into the drum;
- add the second part of the powder to the detergent reservoir;
- turn on the equipment in accelerated mode with maximum temperature;
- After finishing washing, run an additional rinse with clean water.
Effectively descale your washing machine with baking soda and vinegar. For washing, prepare a solution according to the recipe:
- soda – 100 grams;
- water – 100 ml;
- vinegar – 200 ml.
Mix lye with water and pour into a container for detergents. Pour vinegar into the drum. Turn on the machine at maximum temperature. The secret to success is to pause for 1 hour. During this time, the acid will clean the drum as much as possible. After an hour, start again. Be sure to rinse with clean water. Dry after finishing cleaning.
Cleaning the heating element
If the heating element has not been cleaned for a long time, the plaque has a petrified layer, mechanical cleaning is necessary. To do this, get the required part. Clean the layers under running water. You cannot use a knife. Use only your fingers.
After mechanical cleaning, place the heater in water with citric acid. Leave for several hours. Rinse under the tap. Place back into the washer.
Heating element before and after cleaning
Even a beginner can clean his washing machine with citric acid and soda. Timely cleaning of the heater is the key to long-term uninterrupted operation of the equipment.
Effectively cleaning the water inlet filter
Don't forget about the water inlet filter. Learn the nuances of cleaning equipment using an informational video. Over time, the filter accumulates sand and becomes covered with rust. If the part becomes unusable, the equipment will stop turning on and will not be able to draw water.
Washing procedure:
- block the access of water to the machine;
- unfold the washing machine. As a rule, the fill hose is located in the upper part of the housing;
- unscrew the nut, take out the filter with mesh (you will need pliers);
- Rinse the filter with a toothbrush and running water;
- return the part to its place;
- connect the equipment to the water.
Reviews
Valentina, 40 years old
I've been washing with baking soda for 15 years, not a single item has been ruined! Clothes become softer and unpleasant odors are eliminated. To clean the drum, I mix the element with citric acid; I haven’t seen scale and fungus for a long time. Better than store-bought products and more harmless!
Marina, 25 years old
My mother recommended washing with baking soda. Stains disappear quickly and the fabric does not deteriorate. I no longer buy expensive products to clean my machine. NaHCO3 does an excellent job of removing scale and dirt!
The advantage of sodium bicarbonate is low price and safety for health. The element is used not only to clean the elements of the washing machine, but also for things.
When using additional components, no trace remains of stains, scale and mold.
Are there any negative consequences when using baking soda?
Is it possible to clean your washing machine with baking soda and cause damage? It is absolutely safe to wash equipment with baking soda. Experienced housewives add soda and washing powder at the same time. Combines washing and scale prevention. Alkali can soften hard water, thereby reducing the cause of plaque.
You need to be careful with other folk remedies. Do not disturb the concentration of apple cider vinegar when cleaning parts. Rubber under the influence of acid changes its properties and becomes brittle.
How often should you wash your washing machine?
Conditions for careful care of the washing machine: the need for monthly cleaning with folk remedies. Baking soda is gentle on the surface and does not harm parts. It's easy to clean your washing machine from smells with baking soda.
With an automatic machine there are subtleties in care. Housewives are interested in how often they can clean an automatic washing machine with soda and vinegar. Cleaning is carried out no more than twice a year. More frequent use may affect performance and change the elasticity of rubber parts.
Be guided by the state of the equipment. If there is a smell, the water is not heating well or is draining slowly, then there is no need to delay it. Timely cleaning can protect against damage.
Prevention of scale and dirt formation
Let's look at ways to properly clean a washing machine with vinegar and soda to remove dirt, extending the life of the equipment.
Proper care:
- leave the door rubber dry, wiping it after each wash;
- dry the drum, do not close the door tightly;
- wash once a month at maximum temperature with baking soda added to the powder;
- Do not add excess detergent powder. Excess leads to the appearance of soap deposits. Fungi grow in them.
- Wipe the rubber seals with vinegar and water.
So, as you can see, soda is a universal remedy for keeping your washing machine clean. Simple steps will protect your home appliances from the appearance of mold, odors, fungi, and scale. If used wisely, folk methods will not harm the washing machine. They will help maintain cleanliness and extend their service life.
The procedure for preparing washing gel based on soda
Preparing the gel is very simple, although the process takes some time, you get enough laundry detergent that it will last for several weeks:
- We take a grater, which we use in the kitchen for chopping food, and grate 100 grams or half a standard bar of ordinary laundry soap on it. We don’t worry about the grater, nothing will happen to it, just wash it to use it for its intended purpose in the future. If you don’t have a grater, grind the soap in any convenient way, for example, with a knife.
- Boil 3.5-4 liters. water (with more liquid, the gel will be more fluid). It is better that it is not tap water, as it may contain chlorine and other harmful additives.
- Pour soap shavings into boiling water and stir to dissolve quickly and evenly.
- Add the same amount of calcium bicarbonate to the soap solution as soap. That is approximately 100 gr. or 4 tbsp. l. Stir.
- Turn off the heat and wait for the product to cool completely and thicken. This will take several hours.
After the gel has cooled, pour it into storage containers. You can use a bottle from used liquid powder or liter plastic milk bottles.
One wash uses approximately 250 grams of soda-based gel. An increased amount of product does not in any way affect the integrity of the fabric structure, so there is no fear of exceeding the norm when loading a batch of laundry, but it is still better not to overdo it, since the effect will not change.
