Washing machine care instructions
Many centuries ago, people washed their clothes in the rivers that were nearby. Over time, basins and pots appeared, and washing began to be done in these containers. Today there is such a useful and convenient thing as a washing machine. Nowadays, it has become an integral part of every home. Modern housewives can hardly imagine their life without an automatic machine.
The automatic washing machine facilitates the daily work of women, and also saves the time of busy men. Probably, everyone will agree that a monument should be erected to the person who created this attribute of a comfortable life. But you need to know the basic rules for caring for a washing machine so that your assistant always functions well.
Peculiarities
You need to understand that no matter how expensive an automatic machine you buy, you still have to service it, of course, if you want it to serve you for many years. In order not to have to repair it, you need to properly care for it and follow the rules of hygiene. Do not think that after buying this unit you will not have any problems.
During use, small, minor breakdowns may initially occur, and then larger ones that will require expensive repairs from the owners. And the failure of the machine is a real disaster that can catch you at the most inopportune moment. To understand how to properly clean the washer, while not harming it, you need to know why it gets dirty.
It is necessary to determine what means will help correct this problem or even prevent it.
The water that passes through our pipes is not ideal at all. This is due both to the quality of the pipes and to the water purification system that takes place at the treatment facilities in your region. It can be quite tough, smell like chlorine and have various impurities. In addition, when washing, we often use different chemicals that adversely affect the liquid. And all this is gradually damaging our machine.
But before you start any action, you need to find out why pollution occurs and how to properly eliminate them, and also read the instruction manual to know all the features of your equipment.
Simple rules of care will help save your budget:
- Some models of machines have a special indicator that shows whether maintenance is required.
- Further in the instruction manual, you should specify exactly what type of heating element you have, the motor (which rotates the drum), the internal tube system, the powder loading compartment, whether your machine has a dryer.
- Next, you need to find out if you have a filter. If it is, then find out if it is built-in or external, and also if you have access to it.Determine which electronics can deteriorate during operation.
- It is advisable to purchase special tests when buying a machine that will indicate the quality of the water in your pipes and whether it is worth using any additional products during washing that will help avoid active pollution.
It must be remembered that the machine of each manufacturer has its own characteristics. If you are not sure that you can clean it yourself, then use qualified help.
Before you put your things in the drum, be sure to check if there are any things in the pockets. Some washers have wide hoses for water outlet, due to which foreign objects can enter the system itself. Do not forget that while you are cleaning your machine, it must be unplugged. This is the most important condition.
The cleaning procedure may also be affected by such characteristics of the device as:
- Is it built in?
- does it have drying;
- what type of loading of linen has (vertical or frontal);
- maximum washing temperature;
- the presence of a water purification filter (and, accordingly, what quality);
- hatch gum quality;
- whether you leave it open after washing.
Some types of washing machines may fail even if the exhaust filter is clogged. You may consider this a serious breakdown, but in fact you can handle it yourself.
There are masters who like to make money on these types of "breakdowns", since users are not aware of them.
What are the types of pollution?
When you have identified the main features of your washing machine, you need to know what pollution is and what causes it.To do this, you better determine the layout of your washing machine by examining what it consists of. To do this, it is recommended to look at the diagram of this technique in the instructions. With some types of cleaning, this is not necessary to know at all.
If you feel an unpleasant odor, you need to start cleaning all the internal parts of this type of household appliance. There are three main causes of pollution:
- Water quality, namely the level of its hardness.
- Using the wrong or too strong detergent that is not suitable for the type of wash you have chosen.
- Using the machine at maximum modes.
But you also need to consider whether you sometimes wipe the machine. The appearance of sediment from the soapy substance, as a result of which rotting begins, must be carefully controlled. Even ordinary smudges on a typewriter can cause serious damage, because most of the corners where various debris is collected are inaccessible. Keep in mind that sticking sharp objects in there is dangerous. But there is no need to put up with this state of affairs, as this will certainly lead to a breakdown of the machine. You need to know how to clean hard-to-reach corners from black mold and other contaminants that your hands cannot reach.
Pollution comes in the form:
- scale;
- mold;
- spots;
- foreign things.
Water with metal elements is saturated with magnesium and calcium. When these substances are heated, carbon dioxide and a strong precipitate are formed, which, having combined with rust elements, settle on the electric heater and the drum of the device. As a result, the time required to heat the water increases and, accordingly, the energy consumption for one wash increases.Next, you will notice that the intake valve and especially the filter have worn out, as they wear out first.
The greatest amount of pollution appears after repair work or shutdown of water.
The degree of pollution of the heating element can be determined quite simply. Most often, it is located under the rotational element or is installed with a shift to one of the sides. You can take a flashlight and just shine it inside the machine, while moving the drum with your hand. This way you can see ten.
You should do this procedure every two months.to see the level of scale that has coated the heating element. Teng looks like a spiral, similar to the one that is installed in electric kettles.
If you notice that the water does not heat up at all, you should contact the master. Perhaps he will advise to replace this part.
Pollutants can also cause unpleasant odors. They can be found between the rubber bands of the hatch. After washing, moisture remains, as a result, mold forms. Therefore, it is very important to wipe the rubber seal after each wash.
After 2-3 washes, the tray also gets dirty. It is not necessary to clean it with detergents, since you already use them enough during the wash itself. The remains of the powder are very difficult to wash out, and in the future real mountains of this substance form in the tray. Next, you will learn how to clean the detergent drawer. But don't forget to read the manual for your car.
The drum is also dirty. Plaque forms on it and particles of clothing remain. Your machine can be equipped with both an inlet and an outlet filter.They also need to be cleaned so that you do not have to change all the time, since it is the filter that protects the main mechanisms of your unit from damage. Cleaning the drain hose is not so easy (it gets dirty with soapy residue and fluff). Sometimes it may be necessary to completely disassemble the washer to clean it, and sometimes it will be enough to take a wire, at the end of which a brush is attached.
So, you have learned about all possible pollution and why they occur. Indeed, some pollution cannot be avoided, but others can be quite successfully prevented.
What to wash?
The modern market is filled with special products for cleaning washing machines. There are even some that prevent pollution. But it is expensive and not always effective.
Most likely, you have components of folk recipes in your kitchen that will help you get rid of the garbage that has flooded your appliances:
- Thanks to soda, you can get rid of and prevent the appearance of mold on machine parts. The best option is to clean it once a week. This must be done regularly.
- Vinegar essence, thanks to which delicious dishes are prepared, can also serve as a good cleaner. It is able to clean all the hidden components of the automatic machine from pollution. To do this, you need to pour vinegar essence into the inside of the drum. In no case should you wash clothes and use other types of detergents (an unpleasant reaction may occur). With this type of cleaning, acetic acid will do everything for you, you just need to turn on a long wash at the maximum temperature. The higher the degrees, the more effective the cleaning. Do not worry, the acid will not harm the internal parts of the machine.
- Lemon has the power to eliminate mold fungus, unpleasant odors, dirt residues, as well as light plaque. This product must be poured into the tray and choose a long wash with a temperature of at least 60 degrees. You will need at least 200 grams of citric acid. As a result, the limestone will disintegrate, as well as its exfoliation. During the procedure, you do not need to wash things. They will serve as an obstacle to the action of the acid. After the procedure, do not forget to turn on the intensive rinse - this will wash away the remnants of the lemon. It is worth noting that citric acid corrodes rubber parts of equipment, so it is not recommended to resort to this cleaning method more than once every 3 months.
- Bleach can also help with lime. All you need is a glass of whiteness. After washing in the same mode as described above, you should open all the windows in your house so that fresh air enters, since the resulting vapors will adversely affect the body. However, this is the only negative effect of this method.
Industrial products will also help you with cleaning, for example, Calgon. A lot of people use it. There are other products available at home improvement stores. For example, "Antinakipin", but when using it, you need to wash without things.
Remember to read the instructions on the back of the package and follow them.
Cleaning methods
There are many ways to clean a washing machine. It all depends on the type of equipment itself and the type of pollution. You can call the master or do the cleaning yourself, use improvised means or buy special ones in the store. You have complete freedom of action. But remember that some of your actions can only cause harm. It is better not to clean it yourself if you need to completely disassemble the machine or disconnect the hoses if you are not confident in your abilities. But washing the machine from the bottom and outside is not so difficult.
It is easiest to clean machines with a front drum, as there is full access to the heater. Take a close look at where certain nodes are located in your machine. The exhaust filter is usually located in the lower right corner.
Sometimes just opening the cap is enough, and sometimes you need to unscrew it, and then the filter itself. With such actions, it is necessary to prepare a container where you will drain the water, otherwise it will pour onto the floor.
Type of equipment
It is not recommended to use improvised cleaning for high-end Indesit washing machines and if you do not have the opportunity to disconnect the machine from the power supply. When disconnecting the hoses, remember to turn off the water to avoid flooding.
Baking soda
You can clean the technique with soda:
- Take equal amounts of baking soda and water.
- Mix thoroughly so that the soda dissolves well.
- Next, wet the sponge with this solution and wipe all the internal parts with it. Do not be afraid to wipe the rubber components.
- After the procedure, rinse everything with water and wipe dry. Baking soda will help get rid of mold.
Vinegar
To clean the machine with vinegar, you must perform the following steps:
- Take 2 cups of acid and pour it inside.
- Choose the highest temperature and turn on any mode.
- Let the automatic machine work for ten minutes, then pause it for an hour. During this time, the acid will be able to dissolve all contaminants. Don't worry, it won't hurt the machine itself.
- Next, rinse and turn on another short wash.
- Rinse everything inside with water and wipe dry.
- Wipe the seal and the hatch from the inside. You will see results immediately!
Lemon acid
Citric acid has long been used to clean irons and kettles, so don't be afraid to use it when cleaning your typewriter. If the drum capacity holds 3-4 kilograms, then it is recommended to fill in 60 grams of citric acid:
- Citric acid must be poured into the powder compartment.
- Choose a full cycle wash and a temperature of 60 degrees.
- And after such washing, you will only have to wipe the seal
- If you notice that pieces of scale have flown off, the cleaning was as efficient as possible.
Don't forget to drain all the water. Special products that are recommended to be used during each wash may remain on things, which clearly does not benefit them. Using a lemon is quite safe and cheap, besides, you do not need to call the master.
But it is not recommended to pour acid in large quantities and heat water above 90 degrees.
Surfaces and individual parts
Tray cleaning
The next step should be to clean the special tray into which you pour detergents. Over time, accumulations of powder may form in it. Before removing it, make sure that it does not contain washing liquid:
- Pull out the tray. There should be a special key in the top right corner - press it and pull out this device.
- Then wipe the tray well with a sponge dipped in a solution of soda and water, as well as the inner surface of the washing machine in which it was located. Rinse with water and wipe dry at the end.
- The tray itself should be washed with a special agent or acetic acid - the main thing is to get rid of plaque.
- After cleaning, install the part in the compartment.
You can also use a toothbrush while brushing.
Filter cleaning
The next step is to clean the exhaust filter. In the lower right corner is its cover or the panel to be unscrewed, after which you will see the ring and the hose:
- Take a container beforehand into which you will drain the remaining water.
- Unscrew the ring. This sometimes requires the use of force.
- Clean the filter itself with water and vinegar, try to get all the dirt out.
- You can resort to using a knitting needle.
- After cleaning, you need to put everything back.
Please note that the outlet hose itself may become clogged. In this case, remove it and clean the inside.
Next, you will need to clean the intake filter. It is located on the back wall. Unscrew the hose through which water enters, while turning off the water. Inside you will see a mesh that is clogged with plaque and rust. Take it out and clean it well from the debris of the toothbrush. After that, water should enter the tank at a faster rate and the pump itself will last longer.
For more information on how to do this, see the following video.
Drum cleaning
To clean the drum and electric heater, use citric acid and vinegar. This solution will help get rid of plaque. After using it, be sure to clean the exhaust filter, and wipe the drum itself well with a cloth. The rubber cuff can also be cleaned with a toothbrush. There are inaccessible places where silt is formed. If desired, you can carefully remove the front cover as well.
In order to find out how things are inside the mechanism of the machine, remove the top cover. It is held on by two fasteners on the back. Unscrew them and remove the cover. Wipe all the internal components of the machine with a dry cloth. Don't forget to install everything back.
During operation, do not disconnect any wires yourself.
If the main contamination is mold, then use hydrogen peroxide, which you can buy at every pharmacy. It is advisable to buy a three percent solution. Pour it into a spray bottle. Dilute it with water in this case does not make sense. Apply this solution in a thick layer on dirty areas. Leave for ten minutes, and then treat the surface with a coarse brush, which will remove all sediment.
You may need to repeat the process several times. After that, select the shortest wash cycle to wash away all residue. You can also use peroxide in tablet form. In this case, take 10 tablets and soda. Pour their solution into the detergent drawer. Choose the longest cycle with a temperature of 90 degrees.
The dispenser hopper or cuvette must be cleaned at least once a week. Yellowed plastic and sump require cleaning at least once a month. After each wash, wipe all smudges and sealing gum with a dry cloth.
Helpful Hints
Almost no one knows about the means that can be used to prevent contamination of some parts of the apparatus. Some tips are worth using regularly, and others only occasionally. You may need to pay some money, but this is necessary so that the automatic washing machine will serve you for many years.
To avoid scale formation, you can purchase a special water converter. It contains magnets that hold particles of substances. It can be installed in a hose as well as on a pipeline. It is recommended to install several such filters at once. This will be more useful.
Such a filter relieves the incoming water from magnesium salts and calcium. Also, these magnets split calcite into ions. The result is aragonite. As a result, the sediment does not remain on the internal parts, as well as the heating element. It is advisable to mount such filters when installing the machine itself, and if this did not work right away, then you must first clean the unit.
The warranty of such a converter is 50 years, but not everyone will be able to purchase it, since it costs at least $ 30. It would seem cheaper to buy a regular bag for regular use. As a result, the purchase of such bags will cost you even more, since you have to buy them constantly.
There are also sediment filters. They prolong the life of devices and prevent blockages, because thanks to them all types of rust and sand settle before reaching the machine.
The higher the washing temperature, the greater the scale formation, this is due to the poor quality of the water in the pipes. The heating element itself can last you several decades, or maybe only a year or two. It depends on the quantity and on the washing modes. The more often you wash worn-out linen, the more fluff remains inside the machine. Also, low-quality powders bring great harm.
Never buy products that you are not sure about because they will ruin your machine very quickly.
You save when you buy an automatic machine with several types of filters - magnetic and sedimentary. They remove all unnecessary metals. When washing itself, choose only those modes in which the temperature does not reach the maximum mark.
In its composition, Calgon contains soda and sodium triphosphate. But few people know that it can be done at home.It will cost 3 times less than buying Calgon itself. To avoid the appearance of scale, it is recommended to add a little soda ash to the water during washing. It combines well with salts, thus no sediment is formed on the heating element.
The manufacturer already adds a special softener to modern powders, so professionals recommend forgetting such a tool as Calgon.
When cleaning with vinegar, you can add a little whiteness. This will help activate the two substances. But be sure to take all the necessary precautions.
Try not to turn off the machine from the network during washing. This greatly reduces its lifespan. Do not leave laundry inside the machine for a long time, as mold may begin to form. Wipe off any drips with a rag, and leave the hatch open after the wash cycle.
Don't postpone cleaning. Remember that the automatic machine tends to break down, like other appliances in your apartment. She needs constant care. Sometimes it's better to wash very old clothes by hand.
By all means try to extend the life of your assistant, since its parts or their replacement will cost you a pretty penny.
Regularly call in specialists to replace the internal mechanisms. Try not to expose electrical equipment to moisture, make sure that the hoses are securely fastened. Try not to leave the house during laundry. If your machine is not grounded, it is not recommended to use it during a thunderstorm, as the motor may burn out.
If you have insects in your home, then they can get inside. In these situations, you should urgently disassemble the machine or call a specialist. Before performing any manipulation, always refer to the user manual.
Buy only parts that are suitable for your machine. It is not recommended to clean with sharp objects.
Keep your children safe - keep them away from powders and electronics. During operation, remove all things from the washing machine. Wear gloves when using acid.
These recommendations will help extend the life of your washing machine, as well as save your own health and money.