The aroma of freshly washed laundry is the smell of cleanliness and good mood. The washing machine will rid your clothes of dirt and fill them with freshness. However, the hard-working machine also requires regular cleaning, otherwise the laundry will become covered with a gray coating and acquire the smell of a stagnant swamp.
The editors of the Yanashla website bring to your attention a review of high-quality products for maintaining the hygiene of washing machines for 2022.
Cleanliness is the key to long, impeccable service
Every time, stale laundry gets into the washing machine, which needs to be freed from dirt and bacteria. The powder used for washing consists of rather aggressive components. Not all of them are washed off with water; some remain on the walls of the tank, internal parts, and hose. Filters become clogged with small debris and lint, and scale sticks to the electric heater, especially if hard water is used.
In the end, the washing machine cannot cope with the load and washes the clothes worse every time. The owners “drive” her “in circles”, trying to achieve the desired result, but to little avail. But the parts of the hard-working mechanism wear out, resulting in breakdowns, expensive repairs, or, if the unit has already exhausted all its strength, the purchase of a new washing machine.
To avoid machine failure, you need to regularly carry out preventive cleaning.
Water hardness is the basis of scale
Washing machines are used in various natural regions, so the local water used is the basis for the formation of scale on the heating element and parts involved in the process of liquid evaporation.
The higher the hardness of the water supply and the frequency of washing, the faster a layer of scale accumulates on the components of the device. As a result, some problems arise that can be prevented or eliminated with the help of special cleaning products.
Step by step cleaning
Like any other household appliance, the washing machine will appreciate the care of its owners, lasting longer than the service life promised by the manufacturer. But for this you need to clean every part of the “mechanical washer”.
How to clean a washing machine, what parts can you clean yourself?
- "Facade".
Housewives, of course, wipe the outside of the “washing machine” when they clean the apartment. It is enough to wipe the sides, “roof” and door with a damp cloth to make the equipment shine like new. Light stains can be easily removed using any detergent composition.
- Dispenser.
It would seem, why wash this part at all if it is already in constant contact with powder and anti-scale preparations that are added with each wash? However, the remaining moisture in the powder receptacle will lead to the appearance of mold, and this problem cannot be eliminated so easily.
- Rubber compressor.
Liquid and dirt particles accumulate under the cuff, which, when overheated, give rise to mold that literally grows into the rubber. And where there is dirt, there are bacteria. The seal must be wiped after each wash. Otherwise, if the machine “rests” with the door closed, the cuff will “suffocate”, which will cause mold to form under it. In case of severe contamination, a cleaning agent will help.
- Drum.
It needs to be cleaned once a quarter. Due to contact with dirty laundry and powder, an unpleasant coating forms on the walls, and the wet film is not destroyed, even if it is ventilated around the clock, which is very problematic.
- Drain filter.
It’s even scary to imagine how much dirt accumulates in it. This part is one of the most important; if the filter is clogged, the mechanism will refuse to work. If you still manage to turn on the washing machine, a flood is inevitable.
General cleaning begins with cleaning the filter. To do this, you need to pull out the drain plug, first placing a basin or deep bowl under it so that the water does not flow onto the floor. Clean the hole, remove debris, and wipe thoroughly. The filter should remain without the plug for some time, so ventilation will occur. This procedure should occur at least once every two weeks.
- A heating element.
To clean it, you will need to “run” the washing machine without adding laundry at a temperature of no more than 60 degrees, adding a cleaner. The next step is to run the machine in a dry wash without any detergent. Preventative cleaning of the heater is necessary every three months.
General prophylaxis should be carried out once a quarter. But if you have pets at home, then you need to clean it more often, because no matter how clean the pet is, microscopic hairs accumulate on the owners’ clothes, which end up in the drain and settle in hard-to-reach places.
Thus, a brief step-by-step instruction for cleaning a home assistant looks like this:
- remove dirt from the drain filter;
- turn on the machine, adding a cleaning product to it;
- “scroll” again with clean water;
- wash the dispenser;
- wipe the door seal;
- “walk” dry with a rag on the drum;
- wipe outside.
- leave the machine with the door and powder receptacle open for ventilation.
Types of pollution
Let's talk about the difficulties our home assistant faces when serving her owners:
- Scale, which constantly forms on the heating element (heating element), gradually begins to make it difficult to heat water and somewhat reduces operating efficiency. A layer of scale increases the heating time of water several times, which entails greater energy consumption. And if you do not clean the heating element in time, then, after it is completely covered with plaque, it can lead to serious damage to your machine.
- Hair, dirt and dust, which easily fall into the machine drum along with dirty laundry, cannot be completely washed out with water and, as a rule, settle on internal parts and hoses. If you use the machine for a long time in such conditions, more dirt may accumulate in it, and if there is no cleaning, it will begin to emit the most unexpected and far from pleasant odors.
- Fungi and mold simply love to attack washing machines. So they are warm and humid, which is very beneficial for their reproduction. If this does affect your washing device, then a specific and unpleasant smell has probably appeared in the machine. But this is only half the story, because if mold or its fungal spores enter the human body, they can cause irreparable harm to your body, becoming a predisposing factor for the development of allergies. That is why we advise you not to neglect timely cleaning of your washing machine.
What causes the swamp smell?
It seemed that the machine was working properly, without breakdowns, but suddenly, out of nowhere, the smell of stagnant rotten water appeared, which soaks washed clothes. Why did it arise?
There are three causes of stench:
- The door is always closed. The moisture remaining on the drum gradually evaporates, and the resulting greenhouse effect leads to the formation of fungus and mold.
- After washing, moisture remains under the rubber seal. It is possible that small fibers are stuck there. This is an excellent environment for mold to grow and smell disgusting.
- Some owners, not taking care of a basket for dirty laundry, put their worn clothes in the “washer’s” mouth, they say, they still need to wash. Dirty laundry placed in a humid, warm atmosphere is an excellent solution for the growth of mold and all that comes with it, including the formation of a nauseating stench.
Bacteria can also multiply in a poorly washed dispenser, clogged filter, or drain hose, so you need to keep them clean. It’s easy to get your car in good shape with your own hands, without calling a technician. You just need to arm yourself with time, take the necessary cleaning product and put on rubber gloves.
Preventative measures
Following these preventive measures will significantly extend the life of your washing device, protecting them from scale, mildew and mold:
- After washing, carefully wipe the rubber seal located behind the machine door and leave it to air.
- Rinse the detergent tray regularly under good water pressure.
- Use Antikipin to get rid of scale. It is better to carry out this washing cycle once every six months.
- From time to time, run the machine on a dry cycle with disinfectants. To do this, you should mix a glass of bleach and a couple of glasses of detergent or washing powder, and pour it all into the drum, turning on the wash program at 90 degrees.
Such care for your assistant will not be a waste of time and your washing machine will serve you several times longer than the promised period.
What are the types of cleaning compounds?
How can I quickly clean my machine?
You can monitor the hygiene of your mechanical assistant using folk – “grandmother’s” – remedies; they can be found in every home:
- baking soda;
- vinegar;
- lemon acid.
If you regularly clean using these inexpensive products, it is easy to keep your home helper in good condition, without fear of dirt or fungus. However, baking soda and citric acid cannot clean a dirty washing machine the first time. It will take effort and time.
It is much more convenient - and above all more economical - to use purchased cleaners. The best manufacturers of household appliances produce effective preventive medications for their products.
Household chemical products can be divided into types:
- from scale;
- from dirt;
- from mold;
- from an unpleasant odor;
- comprehensive care.
Preparations developed specifically for the care of washing machines are created taking into account the characteristics of the equipment. Taken into account: the material from which the devices are made; mechanism type. We produce compositions for automatic and semi-automatic washing machines. When cleaning parts from dirt, mold, and plaque, cleaners used for their intended purpose will not cause harm.
Let's sum it up
Getting too carried away with traditional cleaning methods is a bad idea. Citric acid can gradually render rubber parts of parts unusable. It is better to trust professionals and buy ready-made, proven products. Plaque makes the drum difficult to operate and can cause it to break.
Remember that a cleaned heating element reduces energy consumption. Products designed to soften water do not bring the desired effect. They can also cause plaque due to too soft water.
When purchasing any cleaning product, carefully read its instructions. This will not only allow you to use it most efficiently, but will also extend the life of the washing machine.
Top brands
The popularity of models often depends on the brand name. However, not all new products, despite the abundance of advertising, may appeal to customers. It is much easier to give preference to the products of enterprises that have been tested by time and market competition.
Before deciding which product is better to buy, which brand, it doesn’t hurt to get acquainted with the most famous brands.
According to the Yanashl website, the leaders are:
- BAGI
Israeli brand. Year of birth: 1988. The company has developed a whole line of products for caring for household appliances and keeping the house clean. The brand is known in Europe, the USA, and Russia. Many popular models belong to this brand.
- Electrolux
Swedish brand. The company was founded in 1910, the main production is household appliances. But, as you know, devices need hygiene. Therefore, Electrolux produces related products to easily clean mechanical assistants at home.
- Nagara
Japanese enterprise Nagara Kagaku Kougyou Co. Ltd. known since 1960, its products include toiletries, detergent compositions, including for cleaning the washing machine. The brand is popular all over the world because the quality of the products is impeccable. “Sincerity and trust” is the company’s motto.
- Tiret
The international brand belongs to Reckitt Benckiser. The company was formed as a result of the merger of the German company Benckiser, which has existed since 1923 and produces chemicals, and the British Reckitt, which has been famous for home care products since 1940. Customer reviews of the brand's products are positive.
- Miele
German brand of premium household appliances, existing since 1899. Founders: Karl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann. The company's products are known in 37 world powers, and related products are also in demand. To the question: “Which company is better to buy cleaning products,” many housewives answer: Miele.
- Beckmann
Another German trademark. On the market since 1934. Repeatedly awarded with the “Best Brand” award. The company was awarded the Hessian Export Prize in 2013 in the category “Innovative Export Strategy”. In 2022, the products have a new stylish design.
- Filtero
Russian trademark. One of the leaders in the domestic market in the sale of vacuum cleaners, accessories and cleaning products for the home and household appliances. According to the manufacturer, the products meet European quality standards.
- Top House
The brand was created domestically. When advertising products, it is indicated that production is located in Western Europe and complies with European standards. You can buy Top House brand products only in the countries of the former Soviet Union and Russia.
How to choose the right cleaner
Before you go to a store or browse online shopping sites where buying goods is not difficult these days, you need to understand what kind of cleaning is required. For prophylaxis, drugs with aggressive components should not be used. If the mechanism is completely new and has never even been used, then the best solution is a product for the first launch. Are we talking about an assistant who has not taken a “bath” for many years? Here, serious processing of all parts will be required, because, most likely, scale has formed on the electric heater, the drum has worn out without cleaning, mold has grown in hard-to-reach gaps - the breakdown of the exhausted mechanism is only a step away.
To purchase the “right” product, you must study the instructions, which present all the characteristics. It’s one thing if the composition includes relatively harmless citric acid, another thing if violent chemicals are used. By the way, if you get lost in the vast assortment, it’s easy to confuse and buy, and then use the product for other purposes. These are the most common mistakes when choosing household chemicals.
It doesn’t hurt to ask buyers who have experience purchasing products whether they are satisfied with the product. Then, after weighing all the pros and cons, you can make a purchase. Moreover, this rule applies both to shopping at a hardware store around the corner from your home, and to choosing a product in an online store. In the second case, you should choose trusted platforms on the World Wide Web so as not to fall victim to unreliable sellers. It is advisable to choose distributors who have entered into an agreement with the manufacturing company, because household chemicals can also be counterfeit. On the Internet sites of official sales representatives there must be a description of the product, its photograph, information about the country of the brand and the manufacturer, how much the product costs, its type, composition. Having all the data, ordering a product online couldn’t be easier.
The selection criteria are based on five main pillars:
- functional;
- price;
- compound;
- container size;
- efficiency.
Rating of quality cleaning products for washing machines for 2022
Among the hygiene products that do not put a strain on the family wallet, there are ten. The most budget ones are sold at a price of around 200 rubles. The average price of more expensive goods is about 1,500 rubles.
10th position: Helfer
Russian manufacturer. Suitable for primary treatment and prevention of contamination.
Helfer cleaner for washing machines
Advantages:
- Affordable price;
- Easily copes with factory dirt.
Flaws:
- Doesn't always remove odor.
9th place: Nagara
Pills. Packing: 5 pcs. A drug with an antibacterial effect.
Nagara for washing machines
Advantages:
- Disinfects;
- Gets rid of plaque.
Flaws:
- There is a strong smell of bleach during processing.
8th position: XAAX
Release form: powder with antibacterial effect. Volume – 250 ml. Disinfects and removes odor.
XAAX for washing machines
Advantages:
- Easy to use;
- Eliminates odor for a long time.
Flaws:
- Cleanliness lasts only a short time - small savings.
7th place: Top House
Express cleaner, weight – 200 ml. To remove scale. Ingredients: urea, citric acid.
Top House for washing machines
Advantages:
- Cleans well.
Flaws:
- A little expensive.
6th place: Tiret
Capacity 250 ml. A composition with citric acid can remove soap scum, scale, dirt, and neutralize unpleasant odors. Cleaning occurs outside and inside.
Tiret for washing machines
Advantages:
- Good preventative hygiene;
- Easy to use;
- Pleasant aroma;
- Removes dirt from the rubber gasket, tray, drum.
Flaws:
- The price does not match the volume.
5th position: Miele
Universal powder: suitable for washing machines and dishwashers. Weight - 200 ml.
Miele for washing machines
Advantages:
- Eliminates plaque and dirt;
- With odor elimination function.
Flaws:
- According to buyers, it is a bit expensive.
4th place: Dr. Beckmann
German quality product. Volume 250 ml. Contains non-ionic tensides, citric acid, phosphonates. According to the manufacturer, it is an ideal option for hygiene: it removes dirt and odors, copes with scale on the spiral, in hoses, and other hard-to-reach places.
Dr.Beckmann for washing machines
Advantages:
- German quality is confirmed in practice: the car shines;
- Antibacterial drug.
Flaws:
- Strong specific smell.
Bronze: Electrolux Super Clean
Italian brand. Degreasing composition. Cleans, removes mold, sediment, odor. No phosphorus. There are 2 bags in the box, each 50 g.
Electrolux Super Clean for washing machines
Advantages:
- Perfect cleaning the first time.
Flaws:
- Not economical: one cleaning takes a whole package.
"Silver": Filtero 902
Volume 250 ml. Country of origin: Germany. An easy to use multi-functional cleaner. Just add it to the drum, turn it on, setting the mode to 40 degrees.
Filtero 902 for washing machines
Advantages:
- Cleans well the first time;
- Gives an effect without the use of mechanical force.
Flaws:
- According to users, the price is high.
“Gold”: Bagi Liquid Schumanit
A universal remedy. Volume 550 ml. Antibacterial effect. Removes scale and unpleasant odor.
Bagi Liquid Shumanit for washing machines
Advantages:
- Copes with the most stubborn dirt;
- Removes limescale;
- Economical.
Flaws:
- You can only work with gloves.
The product rating is based on customer reviews for February-March 2022.
Advice from experienced housewives
A perfectly functioning washing machine is a consequence of the competent actions of its owners. Even the best machines will fail if they are not taken care of in a timely manner.
What to pay attention to during operation:
- Household appliances of this type require regular ventilation.
- You don’t have to wait for “Maundy Thursday” to wipe off dust and dirt from your mechanical “washer”.
- It is strictly forbidden to leave wet items inside, regardless of whether they are clean or awaiting washing.
- If wet laundry has been inside the washing machine for some time, it must be disinfected.
- After each wash, you need to thoroughly wipe the rubber cuff, tray for powder and washing gels, drum and the inside of the door.
- If you wash with hard water, hardness softeners will help.
- The powder that has stuck to the inner box of the tray is knocked down with a stream of water, preferably warm, and then dried.
- To wash woolen items with lint, you need to purchase a mesh bag.
- Socks, underwear, and other small items should be washed in special fabric containers.
- Once a quarter, do a general cleaning with washing of all parts hidden from view using detergent as intended.
If you follow these recommendations, your washing machine will last a long time, and your clean clothes will delight you with their cleanliness and fragrance of freshness.
Do you have experience purchasing cleaning products for washing machines? Share your opinion with the readers of the Yanashla website: which product, in your opinion, is worth purchasing, and which one is a waste of money. Your comment will help other buyers make the right choice.
Algorithm for cleaning a washing machine
The process of cleaning the machine itself must be carried out in the following order:
- First, carry out mechanical cleaning of various buttons, lumps of dirt, hair and other foreign objects. To do this, you should thoroughly clean:
- Filter element.
- Drain hose.
- Rubber rim in front of the machine door.
- Rinse the powder tray after removing it from the machine. It is better to do this with liquid products and under running warm water.
- Next, you can begin cleaning the hard-to-reach parts of our unit.