A washing machine, like other household appliances, requires regular maintenance. Elements of the washing structure must be cleaned. Otherwise, mold appears, and with it an unpleasant odor. The development of pathogenic microflora in a humid environment occurs rapidly. To properly clean the washing machine, housewives use various household chemicals (bleaches, disinfectants), as well as traditional medicine recipes (vinegar, citric acid). The question arises: “Can Domestos be added to the washing machine?”
What can be used instead of white?
Instead of “Whiteness,” you can use any bleach containing chlorine: liquid Ace or powder Bos.
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Causes of mold
The main reason for the appearance of an unpleasant odor, mold or mildew is savings, namely washing things at low temperatures. There are other factors:
- failure to remove limescale in a timely manner;
- use of washing powders without bleaches;
- a large amount of rinse aid is added.
It is these factors that increase the risk of developing pathogenic microflora in the washing machine. A temperature of 60 degrees does not kill mold spores.
Bleach also contains substances that kill bacteria and viruses. Otherwise, a favorable environment develops. When using low-quality fabric softener, a slimy layer forms on the walls of the washing machine. This is where the fungus multiplies. It is worth remembering that excessive humidity and heat are a favorable environment for mold.
How to properly clean a machine: step-by-step instructions
Cleansing with Domestos requires extreme caution. The main thing is to control the cleansing process. Often the washing machine begins to make loud noises during the process. In this case, you must leave the household appliances. Take out the garbage filter and drain hose and rinse thoroughly.
Important! Domestos is a strong cleaner, thanks to which plaque and scale come off quickly, thereby causing a blockage. A timely reaction will allow you to quickly remove debris and continue the cleaning process.
How to disinfect a washing machine with Domestos:
- put on rubber gloves on your hands;
- free the equipment drum from dirty things;
- Apply Domestos evenly on the drum, as well as on the hatch cuff;
- close the door and leave for 20 minutes;
- after the specified time, pour in 50 ml of chlorine-containing substance, turn on the “Rinse” program;
- Afterwards you need to start the washing machine again, selecting a heating temperature of 90 degrees. Additionally, you need to pour 200 g of citric acid into the powder tray.
Upon completion of the washing machine operation, it is necessary to wipe all components of the machine dry with a clean towel - drum, door, powder tray, cuffs. You need to leave it open for 60 minutes.
The result of the perfect procedure will be visible immediately. Fungal plaque will be eliminated, the unpleasant odor will disappear. The scale will be removed from the heating element, thereby increasing the service life of the washing machine.
Domestos for washing machine: yes or no
Most housewives prefer to use white, Domestos and other chlorine-containing products. Manufacturers of household appliances do not recommend using these substances to prevent the appearance of fungus and dirt. The main reason is the presence of chlorine in the composition, which is an aggressive compound and, if used regularly, can cause severe damage to machine parts.
It is worth considering that only prolonged contact with chlorine will lead to machine failure. Cleaning once will not harm the equipment. Is it possible to clean a washing machine with Domestos? Yes, it is allowed, but under certain conditions. Cleansing should occur no more than once every 6 months. The main thing is to remember to follow the cleaning rules.
Housewives' opinion
It is interesting to study real reviews of people who have tried this method of cleaning a washing machine. We invite you to consider some of them.
Marina, 50 years old Having read on the Internet one of the ways to quickly and economically clean a washing machine with Domestos, I decided to try it. I didn’t take any risks and wiped the necessary areas with the solution. The unpleasant smell in the machine has disappeared. Now I carry out disinfection this way all the time.
Lyudmila, 45 years old I decided to try cleaning the washing machine using Domestos. I read the instructions on the Internet and began to act. I poured the product into the car and turned it on. After 10 minutes of operation, the electrical appliance became very noisy. It's good that I didn't go to the store. I cleaned the drain hose and continued cleaning. The product is super, but as it became known later, it should not be abused.
Video material
If all the methods failed to achieve any positive results and the mold still makes itself felt, then you will have to contact a service center for servicing household appliances. A professional specialist will disassemble the equipment, remove parts, subject them to a quality check, carry out cleaning with special means and, if necessary, replace damaged elements so that the entire equipment does not break down. Practicing preventative cleaning of equipment helps prevent serious damage. Therefore, do not ignore such measures, otherwise it will soon hit both your wallet and your free time.
When to seek the help of a professional
In addition to using home remedies, you can clean your washing machine with special household chemicals in the form of solutions and sprays. The composition of such preparations includes several types of acids. They have special marks “for disinfection” or “from mold”. They are used strictly according to the instructions and applied to moldy stains for the time recommended for basic cleaning.
If, despite all your efforts, you cannot get rid of the mold and the unpleasant odor reappears, you will have to call washing machine repair specialists for help. After disassembling the unit, the technician will clean all parts. Some of them may need to be changed.
Additional cleaning methods with Domestos
Comprehensive cleaning is required in extremely rare cases. Sometimes it is enough to treat the most contaminated areas with a weak Domestos solution. This cleaning is considered much safer and also faster.
Basically, pathogenic microflora multiply in the drum, compactor, and garbage filter.
How to clean a washing machine with Domestos:
- There is a filter in the lower right corner of each machine. You need to unscrew it. Drain off the accumulated liquid, first laying down a rag. Dilute Domestos in water. Dip the unscrewed nozzle into it and leave for 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly under running water and screw back on. You need to do the same with the drain hose.
- The powder container is a favorite place for bacteria and fungal microorganisms to settle and reproduce. Initially, you need to carefully remove it. To do this, press the latch and pull it towards you. That's it, powder container in hand. Rinse it well under running water. In case of heavy contamination, it is additionally necessary to dilute Domestos and dish gel in a small amount of water. Place the tray in the solution and leave for 5-7 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with a brush.
- Cleaning the drum and sealing collar. Dilute Domestos with water. Using a sponge, wipe all necessary parts.
With the regular cleaning of the machine described above, fungus or bacteria do not have time to multiply. If a tuberculosis bacillus or hepatitis virus gets inside the drum, the machine must be completely disinfected with Domestos.
Prevention of mold and mildew
The washing machine can wash for a long time, with high quality. The main thing is to systematically carry out preventive work. Due to poor water quality, and mainly due to excessive hardness, scale appears. This is the main and main reason for the breakdown of the washing machine. You can avoid the appearance of water deposits if you soften the liquid. This requires the use of special softening agents, which are added to the machine drum before each wash.
How to extend the life of a washing machine? Let's consider a number of rules:
- Before putting things into the drum, you need to check for small parts in the pockets.
- Remove buckles, poorly sewn buttons, and jewelry.
- Place laundry that strictly corresponds to the weight. If the machine is designed for 4 kg, then you should not try to put 4.5 kg of dirty things in it.
- Do not frequently use high-temperature washing modes, as this will negatively affect the condition of the washing machine.
- Items with metal elements must be washed in a special bag.
- Do not leave household appliances unattended, as they may break.
- After washing items, be sure to wipe the machine with a dry cloth. The car should not be left in water, so it is necessary to regularly drain the liquid from the filter.
Do not turn off the machine by simply unplugging the cord from the outlet. Otherwise, the control system may burn out.
Synthetic products to combat the problem
To combat the presence of fungal cultures, chemicals are used that destroy the smell of dampness and eliminate mold. Any bleach containing a chlorine component may be suitable, for example:
- sprays from Astonish or Savo;
- Cleaning the washing machine with Domestos, the chemical formula of which is used to clean toilets, will also be effective.
Important! Antifungal drugs are characterized by the release of toxic fumes, so you need to use personal protective equipment against intoxication.
How to clean a washing machine from mold and odor:
- Before using a chemical, it is necessary to protect the skin of your hands with rubber gloves, cover your mouth and nose with a gauze bandage or a special respirator.
- Apply the selected product to the parts of the washing unit.
- Add an antifungal agent to the reservoir for washing powder and rinse aid, lubricate the rubber cuff, which helps prevent water from leaking out of the washing unit, and leave for 2-3 hours.
Important! It is not always possible to detect signs of fungus. The presence of a musty, unpleasant odor from the washing device indicates the presence of mold elements. If you take a clean napkin and run it over the rubber of the seal, a black mark on the napkin indicates the presence of fungal cultures. To solve the problem, just apply a small amount of chemical to the rubber seal.
- After some time, a chemical reaction will occur, as a result of which the chemistry fights with an army of microorganisms and unpleasant odors.
- Using a hard dishwashing sponge, wipe the rubber seal in places where fungus appears, and rinse the parts with water several times. The sponges used to wash off the fungus are thrown away. They are a source of mold spores, which instantly multiply and spread throughout the room.
Important! The use of such methods to eliminate mold spores and limescale from contaminated parts of washing equipment allows us to solve this problem for some time. Only careful and careful care can protect expensive equipment from damage and unusability.
Bleach and high temperatures
The cleaning chemical may form a film on the inside of the drain hose or tank. When washed, the antifungal mixture is absorbed into clothing and causes allergic reactions. Cleaning parts of black fungal deposits is the first step. Mold spores can affect hard-to-reach areas of washing equipment, so after washing the equipment, you need to begin the disinfection process.
How to clean a washing machine from mold and odor:
- We set the maximum temperature, usually 90-95 degrees.
- Pour a liter of inexpensive “Whiteness” or some other product that contains chlorine into the tank for washing powder and bleach.
- We start the washing program, and the drum device must remain empty.
- After 30 minutes, turn off the washing machine, while the water should remain inside, or you can delay the start for 3-4 hours. During this time, the parts of the washing unit and the drum unit will soak in the chlorine solution.
- After this we put the equipment into operation. When the rinse mode starts, add about 3 cups of table vinegar to the conditioner reservoir.
Important! Chemical components cannot be mixed; the sequence must be strictly adhered to, otherwise damage to the rubber parts will occur. Sometimes, for gentle cleaning, instead of chlorine bleach, calcined or table salt is used. Half a kilogram of powder is poured into the compartment and the maximum temperature is set. The musty smell of dampness can be eliminated with citric acid, which can be added to the rinse liquid instead of table vinegar.
- After disinfection, the washing unit must be wiped with a dry, clean cloth and the equipment doors are left open for a day.
Important! It is advisable to remove the container for the detergent, since water may stagnate in the container. Open windows in the room to provide ventilation.
Domestos
In advanced situations, only the use of heavy artillery can save. We will use the aggressive cleaning agent “Domestos”, the chemical formula of which is capable of corroding even rust, and copes with fungal cultures much faster.
Important! Be sure to wear rubber gloves and close all windows in the bathroom.
How to clean mold from a washing machine using Domestos:
- Using a hard sponge, apply the chemical to the drum device and rubber seal.
- Close the washing unit and leave to dry for 4 hours.
- After the allotted time, select the rinse mode, not the wash mode.
- Start the equipment and pour three tablespoons of citric acid into the washing unit.
- When the rinsing stops, switch the equipment to washing. In this case, you need to select a maximum temperature of 90-95 degrees.
- Add 200 grams of citric acid to the detergent container and start the process.
- After completing all manipulations, it is necessary to wipe the drum device with a dry, clean cloth and ventilate the washing unit.
This process guarantees a fresh aroma and the elimination of black fungal plaque. The use of citric acid also helps clean the heating element from scale inclusions.
Important! A situation may arise when, during the washing process, a cracking or rumbling sound is heard in the equipment. In this case, you need to stop the procedure and look through the drain hose to remove any fragments of brown deposits from there.
Citric acid + washing powder
There is another method for eliminating fungal components using citric acid:
- We mix the component with an inexpensive washing powder; adding a small amount of chlorine is acceptable.
- By adding liquid, we achieve a thick paste.
- The drum unit, the container for washing powder and rinse aid, and the rubber seal must be treated with this composition.
- We thoroughly clean the parts using a toothbrush or a stiff sponge.
- Close the washing unit and leave for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, we wash out the remaining detergent when starting the rinse mode.
- Then we switch the equipment to boiling mode and set the time to 5-6 minutes.
After this process, the washing equipment has a pleasant smell and glows clean.
