Are Washing Machines A Source Of Pollution? Three Tips To Teach You How To Keep Clean, So You Don’t Have To Worry About Laundry

The washing machine is an indispensable helper in daily life. It works tirelessly to remove stains from clothes, but often leaves the dirt it "hides" to time. As the number of uses increases, those normally invisible corners, such as the inner and outer cylinder sandwich layers, drainage pipes, sealing rubber rings, etc., will gradually accumulate. Clothes fibers, scale and bacteria, if no intervention is done, these secondary sources of pollution are likely to attach to the clothes during the laundry process, posing health risks. Today, based on many years of front-line housekeeping experience, I will systematically organize a full-process solution for washing machine self-cleaning from the perspective of deep cleaning.

Why does the washing machine get dirtier with each wash? Analysis of invisible structural dead ends

It is a fact that the difficulty of cleaning a washing machine is rooted in its physical structure. Take the most common drum washing machine, there is an interlayer between the inner and outer drums. During the washing process, the water can flow in and out freely. However, the clothing fibers, hair and dirt particles are easily stuck in this interlayer and cannot be completely washed away with the drainage. The water can flow in and out during washing, but the clothing fibers, hair and dirt particles are easily stuck in it and cannot be completely washed away with the drainage. In addition, there is something called a detergent add-on box with grooves on it, a door seal with wrinkles, a drain pump filter and a heating pipe. Their surfaces are all covered with stains and biofilm, which is a good breeding ground for the slimy material caused by the accumulation of bacteria. The environment has been moist and closed for a long time. This situation creates ideal conditions for the reproduction of mold and pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, just wiping the inner walls that can be seen is not enough. We need a set of cleaning strategies that cover all dimensions!

Scenario 1: Daily maintenance and integrated function application

For washing machines that have a short service life, that is, one to two years, and require regular maintenance, making full use of the cleaning function of the machine itself is the most efficient way. At present, most washing machines are equipped with programs such as "tub self-cleaning" or "high temperature self-cleaning". Its principle is to simulate the washing process, using the rapid rotation of the inner cylinder to promote water flushing. At the same time, the water temperature is heated to above 90°C, and high-temperature physical sterilization is used to effectively dissolve detergent residues and kill common bacteria. It is recommended to run this program every 1 to 2 months. Before running, it is best to use a damp cloth to wipe away the accumulated water and debris in the door seal. This is a method that is the lowest cost and most convenient. It is a method of basic maintenance. However, it should be noted that it has a limited effect on stubborn aspects, such as old scale and slime existing deep in the interlayer.

Scenario 2: Chemical intervention and tool-assisted deep cleaning

When the washing machine develops an odor or gray residue appears after the clothes are washed, it is necessary to introduce "foreign aid", that is, a special detergent or descaling agent for the washing machine. The products currently on the market are mainly divided into chlorine-containing, which is the category of hypochlorite, and oxygen-containing, which is the other category of percarbonate. The former is strong in sterilizing ability, but its smell is very pungent, while the latter is relatively mild and has functions such as bleaching and decontamination.

The recommended operating procedures are as follows :

In terms of tool preparation, in addition to the cleaning agents, you should also prepare the following items: a long-handled brush for cleaning the roller ribs, a narrow-slit brush for cleaning the feed box, a microfiber rag, and a discarded toothbrush.

During pretreatment, open the sealing ring of the washing machine door, and then use a toothbrush dipped in detergent solution to brush the deep folds. You will find that these are often the hardest hit areas where dirt and evil practices hide. Also pull out the detergent box and use a brush to clean the internal grooves thoroughly.

The main cleaning operation is to pour the detergent directly into the drum, or pour it into the feeding box according to the specific instructions, then select the longest washing program, such as cotton and linen mode, and then adjust the temperature to between 40 and 60°C. Then fill in water and run for 5 minutes. You can press the pause button or simply cut off the power to allow the detergent solution to fully soak for 2 to 3 hours to soften and peel off the dirt in the interlayer. Then continue the recovery program to complete the washing, draining and rinsing operations.

After the program is finished, you need to perform finishing work. You need to check the drain filter located in the baffle at the lower right corner of the front of the fuselage and clean it, because a lot of debris, such as coins, buttons, and a lot of flocculent dirt, often come out of it at the end of the program. Finally, wipe the cylinder wall and door seal with a dry rag.

Scene 3: Disassembly and cleaning – the most thorough physical "cleaning"

If the washing machine has been used for more than three to five years and has never been cleaned, or if black debris still falls out after soaking in detergent, then a very effective way is to disassemble and clean it. This requires completely lifting the inner drum of the washing machine out of the outer drum and performing a complete cleaning by physical stripping.

Regarding the operating subject, it is strongly recommended that the operation should be carried out by professional housekeeping engineers or brand after-sales personnel. If you disassemble the machine by yourself, it may cause damage to the sealing ring and cause water leakage. It may also cause the balance weight to shift, causing noise, or even causing circuit board failure.

Process details: Professionals will remove the impeller or roller, the inner cylinder, the heating tube, and the tripod and other components. You may find that there may be hard scale and mildew attached to the roots of the tripod, which cannot be touched by normal cleaning. They will use high-pressure water guns and special cleaning agents to flush them, and the disassembled rubber parts will also be sterilized.

Effects and key points to pay attention to : After the washing machine has been cleaned, the vibration generated during dehydration has been reduced, the odor has completely disappeared, and the drainage speed has been restored. However, the cost of dismantling the machine is relatively high (generally in the range of 200 yuan to 500 yuan), and there are certain requirements for the skills of the master. After completing the cleaning operation, it is recommended to carefully inspect and replace aging shock absorbers or door seals during installation.

Pitfall avoidance guide and golden rules for daily maintenance

In many years of service experience, I have summarized several of the most common pitfalls for users:

1. Excessive use of detergent: Too much laundry detergent will not only not rinse cleanly, but also residues will accumulate on the drum wall, becoming a source of nutrients for microorganisms. It is recommended to add the laundry detergent according to the scale or reduce the amount of laundry by half.

This action is the primary factor that leads to the growth of mold. After each washing of clothes, leave the machine door open for at least 2 hours to allow the moisture in the tub to dissipate. At the same time, the detergent box must be left half-open. Here is a reminder to close the door after use: this is the number one killer of mold growth.

3. Ignore the drain filter : The filter should be cleaned at least every quarter. If it is clogged, it will not only affect the drainage efficiency, but also cause the sewage to flow back.

4. Misuse of “vinegar and baking soda” : Although widely circulated on the Internet, long-term immersion in acetic acid will corrode metal parts and rubber seals, thereby destroying the life of the washing machine. It is recommended to use a professional cleaning agent with a neutral pH value.

With the above-mentioned cleaning plan and maintenance details from shallow to deep, I believe you can restore the "clean hero" items in your home to the same clean state as when they left the factory, thereby protecting the health of your family's clothing from the root.