How to clean a washing machine with vinegar?

During operation of the washing machine, its internal parts are covered with limescale. If you neglect the care of the washing machine, then its working life is reduced. One of the ways to clean the washing machine from plaque is acetic acid. Many doubt: is it possible to clean the washing machine with vinegar? Could this damage the unit? Despite the availability and utmost simplicity, the use of vinegar allows you to get rid of lime deposits even in the most inaccessible places. In addition, simple manipulation helps to remove the unpleasant smell of mold, which is transmitted to things. The operation is extremely simple and, contrary to ridiculous rumors, completely safe for washing. However, before you start cleaning, read about some of the nuances that you need to remember. Consider how to clean a washing machine with vinegar.

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Pros and cons of “acidic” scaling

Before you clear the machine of limescale with vinegar, evaluate the pros and cons of your decision. The positive effects of acetic acid include:

• The chemical activity of vinegar, which easily copes with lime. And to bring the products of a chemical reaction outside the device - as they say, “a matter of technology”.
• If everything is done correctly, the risk of clogging of the parts of the device with lime particles is practically zero.
• When cleaning, it is possible not only to save the machine from lime, but also to eliminate unpleasant odors, which often arise after several years of using the device.
• Cheapness and availability. At the same time, vinegar is not inferior to many professional drugs in terms of effectiveness.

Important! You can fight water hardness with a special filter. Find out more in our separate review. "Magnetic water filter".

The obvious minus is the pungent smell of the reagent. But you can easily cope with this by running an extra rinse program.

Important! To avoid unpleasant odors in the room, it is recommended to open the window or turn on the hood during cleaning.

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Is it that simple?

Another important point to remember: what vinegar to use to clean the washing machine. The dosage must be strictly observed. The use of a more concentrated vinegar essence will not make the procedure more effective, and the rubber parts of the washing machine may suffer. They harden at first, and then burst, which leads to a serious malfunction of the device.

Important! You can reduce the amount of descaling of the washing machine by usingwater softeners.

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We clean the washing machine with vinegar - procedure:

1. Check the drum and remove the items there, as under the influence of acid they can become worthless.

Important! Sometimes you can meet the advice that you should use old rags when cleaning. This should not be done, as the fibers of the textile can break down and cause clogging of the pipes. In addition, this does not add to cleaning efficiency.

2. Pour 9% table vinegar into the machine tray, which is designed to fill the detergent powder.
3. Set the longest wash program at the highest temperature and start the appliance.
4. After the water has accumulated in the tank, heated up and mixed with vinegar, put the washer on pause. You will have to wait at least 60 minutes.
5. Run the program after the specified time. This time, wait until the wash cycle is complete. You cannot stop a program ahead of time.
6. After the program has ended, clean the drain filter of scale particles.
7. Dilute 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a liter of water, then using a soft cloth, clean the drum and rubber parts of the washer.
8. Launch the wash again without the use of detergents or vinegar. The shortest cycle is enough to clean the appliance of lime and detergent residues.
9. Wipe the machine with a dry, clean cloth, including the detergent tray. Leave the appliance open. The vinegar smell disappears quite quickly.

Important! If the result did not seem satisfactory to you, cleaning the washing machine with vinegar and soda helps.

Important! Damage to the washing machine in most cases is associated with the formation of scale during its operation. So that you can easily deal with this problem, we have prepared a separate post“How to remove scale in a washing machine?”.

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How often do this?

It is necessary to clean the machine from scale, not only when its operational properties have clearly deteriorated, but also for the purpose of prevention. The frequency of the procedure is approximately once every 3 months. Do not clean more often, since rubber and plastic parts may be affected by acid.

Important! Do not use vinegar in conjunction with other cleaning products. A chemical reaction can literally melt plastic components.

Important! Special care products for washing machines will help to quickly and efficiently get rid of limescale. You will find all information about the most popular product in our separate article."Calgon for washing machines - instructions".

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Cleaning the tray with vinegar

Acetic acid will help get rid of not only plaque on the inside of the washer. The reagent cleans well and the tray for washing powder. The algorithm is as follows:

1. Pour 1 cup of table vinegar into the container and fill it with very hot water.
2. Place the tray in the prepared mortar so that the part is completely submerged.
3. Soak the tray in vinegar for 8-9 hours.
4. Rinse the tray with hot water, rinse and dry.

Important! If passive cleaning turned out to be insufficiently effective, applying gruel from baking soda and vinegar will help.

Important! Why is a dirty powder tray dangerous? Why clean it? What effective cleaning methods exist? You will find answers to these and other questions in a separate review. "How to wash the tray from the powder in the washing machine?".

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What is the alternative?

Other reagents are also used. For example, cleaning a washing machine with soda and citric acid. We must not forget about the prevention of plaque formation - such as the use of special water softeners during washing, as well as detergents, which include softeners.

Important! In addition to scale, mold and fungus can form in the washing machine. Read how effective it will be in this case.cleaning the washing machine Domestos.

Another interesting question: how to clean the washing machine with soda? - It's simple. It is enough to add 2 tablespoons of soda to each powder during washing. It is an excellent remedy for calcareous deposits. The machine will last you much longer.

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Stock footage

So we figured out how to clean the washing machine with vinegar. It remains only to accomplish this in order to reduce energy consumption during washing, increase its efficiency and prevent the equipment from malfunctioning, because in this case it will be necessary to wash all things further by hand. And this is tiring, so it’s better to still use the help of special equipment.