Don't mess with the self-cleaning of the cylinder! The clean and worry-free washing machine cleaning encyclopedia is summarized
The following article comes from the Lilac Life Institute, the author loves clean
Recently, my clothes suddenly couldn't be washed.
Put it in the washing machine, and after washing, the clothes always have patches of black shavings on them, and they feel slimy to the touch.
After checking, I found the same dirt in the washing machine. Only then did I realize that it might be caused by this washing machine that had never been cleaned.
Image source: Taken by yourself
But when I think about it, when I usually wash clothes, isn't the washing machine washed together, how dirty can it be?
Until you see the inside of the washing machine after dismantling...... I really shouted, good guy, who can bear this!
Washed machine that used for a long time
How dirty is it?
Many professional dismantling masters on the Internet have shown us intuitively: the washing machine that has not been cleaned for a long time is really like a garbage bin.
There are three main camps of dirt inside: bacteria + clothing residue (dandruff detergent) + sediment scale.
Image source: Social platforms
Let's take a look at how your washing machine is ridiculously dirty. Regardless of whether it is a drum or a drum washing machine, the core cleaning part is the drum, which is divided into inner drum and outer drum.
Image source: Social platforms
During washing, dirt-laden water flows through the inner and outer cylinders, leaving residual stains (e.g. dander, hair, sediment), detergent and limescale to which they adhere over time.
Image source: Zhan Kuhailuo
In addition, the inside of the washing machine is in a humid environment for a long time, which is easy to breed various bacteria. Not only do they survive inside and outside the drum, but they also encroach on the surrounding corners.
A study investigated the hygiene of 128 washing machines in Shanghai and found that the total number of bacteria in the washing machines exceeded the standard rate was 81.3%, the detection rate of mold was 60.2%, and the detection rate of coliform bacteria was 100%.
The institute also tested a washing machine that had never been cleaned, and the test strip was full of red bacteria and green mold......
Image source: Screenshot of the institute video
In other words, not only will the clothes get dirtier and dirtier the more they are washed, but various pathogenic bacteria will also affect our health, causing various discomforts such as skin itching, rashes, and inflammation.
Friends, it is really necessary to clean the washing machine regularly. Especially for renters, you don't know what's washed in the washing machine.
Cartridge self-cleaning VS cleaner
How should I choose?
More and more friends are realizing that the washing machine needs to be cleaned.
Compared with spending nearly 100 yuan on door-to-door cleaning at a time, most friends will choose to do it themselves. But I've found that washing machines are also a lot of waste.
With the addition of washing machine detergent, the washing machine directly transforms into an "automatic bubble spitting machine", and after washing, the drum is full of slag......
Image source: Social platforms
That's probably the wrong way for you!
At present, there are two common cleaning methods, one is the "cylinder self-cleaning" mode of the washing machine, and the other is the use of special washing machine cleaning products.
Have regular cleaning habits: "self-cleaning" is enough
If you are a diligent player and clean the washing machine every 1~2 months, then it is enough to use the "self-cleaning of the cylinder".
Its biggest advantage is that it is easy to operate, the cost is very low, and the cleaning effect is good.
According to most washing machine instructions, just turn on the faucet, press the "Drum Self-Cleaning" mode, and wait for it to stop.
Image source: Taken by yourself
The principle is also very simple, that is, the water flow with a high temperature and high speed rotation of 90 °C and above is used to clean the inner and outer cylinders, and sterilize at the same time as descaling and draining.
Image source: Social platforms
Generally speaking, as long as the washing machine is not "unwashed for many years, it is outrageously dirty", the high speed of the self-cleaning of the drum can better discharge the residue from the cylinder wall, and the high temperature of 90 °C and above can kill most bacteria and microorganisms.
However, there are two things to be aware of.
First, the ability of cylinder self-cleaning in removing scale is relatively weak. If your home is in an area with hard water quality and limescale is easy to accumulate, it may not be possible to completely remove limescale by simply using "cartridge self-cleaning".
Second, use the cartridge for self-cleaning, and no more laundry detergent or washing machine detergent can be added.
Because the self-cleaning of the cylinder is different from the general washing mode, the "high temperature" and "high speed" will catalyze the detergent to release a large amount of foam, plus there is no laundry in the washing machine to consume foam, excessive foam accumulation, it is easy -
Yue !non-stop yue!
Image source: Social platforms
No cartridge self-cleaning or too dirty: use "chlorine-containing compound" detergent + wash mode
If your home does not have a self-cleaning, or the washing machine is too dirty, such as not cleaning for more than half a year and is prone to accumulation of limescale, then it is recommended that you try "washing machine cleaner + washing mode".
Image source: Taken by yourself
The washing machine cleaning products on the market, whether it is cleaning liquid, cleaning powder or effervescent tablets, the core is a combination of "descaler + bactericide", and the effect is not much different.
However, if you want the cleaning process to be simpler and take less time, it is recommended to look for washing machine cleaning products that contain "chlorine compounds".
Because sterilization with chlorine-containing compounds takes a short time to take effect, soaking can be eliminated, and cleaning can be completed within 1 hour by pressing the wash mode directly after pouring.
Some peroxide biocides, which require time to release oxide sterilization in water, take longer to take effect, usually soaking for several hours before washing.
Image source: E-commerce platform
We have selected several cleaning agents with "chlorine-containing compounds" on the market, which can avoid soaking for your reference -
01 Dettol washing machine cleaner
Core ingredients: lactic acid, benzalkonium chloride, surfactant
Reference price: 25 yuan / 250mL
02 White Double-Pole Washing Machine Sink Cleaner
Core ingredient: sodium hypochlorite
Reference price: 30 yuan / 450mL
03 Velux washing machine cleaning liquid
Core ingredients: lactic acid, benzalkonium chloride, surfactant
Reference price: 30 yuan / 250mL
The most practical washing machine cleaner
If you have a hand, you will!
Of course, if you want to wash the washing machine thoroughly, you can't just wash it on the tumble.
I've summarized the specific steps for you, now let's look at it first, and you can try it when you get home from work -
Step 1: Choose the appropriate method and procedure for drum cleaning.
Friends who maintain the habit of cleaning the washing machine once every 1~2 months, directly use the "drum self-cleaning", turn on the faucet, and press the "cylinder self-cleaning".
If it is a washing machine with an auto-dispensing function, remember to turn off the "auto-dispensing" in advance, otherwise the laundry detergent will be automatically flushed into the drum.
Thank you Haier customer service
If there is no self-cleaning mode or the washing machine is dirty, use a washing machine cleaner with "chlorine compounds", pour it into the washing machine according to the dosage as stated in the product, use a water temperature not exceeding 40°C, and press the normal washing program.
Image source: Taken by yourself
Note that it is not recommended to mix detergents with other acidic products (e.g. fabric softeners, bleach, vinegar) as they may produce harmful gases.
At the end of the washing program, if you find any stains in the cylinder, wipe them off with a rag or wash them again with clean water.
Step 2: In addition to the inner cylinder, there are 3 places where the water flow cannot be washed and additional cleaning is required - the rubber ring interlayer, the feeding box, and the sewage outlet.
I haven't even taken out the feeding box before, but now I have learned it and share it with you: when you open the feeding box, there will generally be an indicator button in the middle, press it down, and then push it out to take it out and wipe it.
Image source: Taken by yourself
Open the small door in the lower right corner of the washing machine, this is the drain of the washing machine: on the left is the emergency drain pipe, and on the right is the filter port. After a long period of use, a lot of sewage and dirt will accumulate in the washing machine.
Image source: Taken by yourself
It is recommended that you put a towel or a basin on the ground first, and then unscrew the button to let the dirty things out.
As for the rubber interlayer, just wipe it several times with a cloth dipped in the diluted cleaning solution.
The last step: After the washing machine is cleaned, it is best to leave the washing machine door open to keep the interior ventilated and dry to prevent the growth of bacteria.
In addition to regular cleaning, in fact, maintaining good habits on a daily basis can also reduce the growth of dirt and bacteria, such as not turning off the washing machine immediately after use, wiping the rubber interlayer after washing clothes, and drying it in time after washing without overnight.
As a good helper for home laundry, don't forget to "always clean and always new".
If you can't remember, "collect" it and take it out at any time.
Cooperative Expert: Zhang Guoliang, Practitioner of Household Appliance Industry, Master of Aeronautics and Astronautics Systems Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Technology, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Scientific Audit Quiet Master of Materials Science
Scientific audit Ke Ying, innovative technology engineer of household appliance enterprises
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