Black mold lives in damp, warm places with insufficient ventilation: in the bathroom, toilet, in places of leaks between the ceiling and walls. If, when opening the door of the washing machine, a putrid smell spreads around, and a black coating is visible on the inner surface of the rubber seal, the machine is infected with mold. Mold in the washing machine is a serious problem and very difficult to remove. Therefore, it is better to install the washing machine not in the bathroom, but in the kitchen, where the air is drier. In a spacious room, it is more convenient to clean the washer inside than in a cramped bathroom. In this article we will show you how to get rid of mold in a washing machine, because it is dangerous to human health.
How to start fighting mold
It is very difficult to remove mold in the washing machine, so we first check the parts outside, and then inside:
- rubber seal (cuff of the hatch);
- container for powder, conditioner and bleach;
- inlet hose, filter on it;
- drain hose, filter on it;
- drain filter located at the bottom of the machine.
If gray deposits or black spots are visible on these work surfaces, they must be cleaned with a chlorine cleaner. You can use a special mold cleaner to clean washing machines or use alternative methods. People use vinegar, a solution of copper sulfate or "Whiteness". Care must be taken to ensure that strong chemicals do not damage the cuff of the washing machine.
Getting rid of the fungus is much more difficult when it has spread inside the tank of the washing machine. It is very difficult to disassemble a washing machine and clean it at home. If you do not have the necessary skills, then it is better to entrust the professionals to disassemble the washing machine. A different cleaning method is required.
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Where in the washing machine mold
There are a number of reasons why mold can form in the washing machine:
- the room where the washer is installed is infected with mold;
- the room is damp, hot, there is no ventilation;
- the door of the machine is always closed when not in operation;
- washing is carried out at a temperature below 60 degrees;
- when washing, rinse aid, fabric softener are often used;
- when rinsing do not use bleach;
- no descaling agent is added to the powder;
- wet clothes are often left in the washer.
The rinsing mode included in the washing programs is not able to remove the softener residues from the laundry and from the walls of the tub. Over time, the washing machine tank becomes overgrown with plaque, which is difficult to get rid of. This plaque serves as a breeding ground for black mold fungus. In this case, regular cleaning of the mold will be required.What to do to clean the car and always get rid of new attacks of the fungus?
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Fighting mold: ways and means
To remove mold and protect the washing machine will help bleach and high temperature. Cleaning sequence:
- Pour 1 liter of "Whiteness" into the powder tray. Set the mode "heavy pollution" and the maximum temperature.
- After 2-2.5 hours, when the water in the washer heats up to 90 degrees, pause the program control for 1-2 hours. This will help to radically clean the tank.
- Continue washing.
- Pour 1 liter of 9% vinegar into a container for detergents, start rinsing.
- After cleaning, dry the machine by leaving the door wide open for several days.
This cleaning method leaves the colonies with no chance of survival. You can use it no more than once every six months. After cleaning, dry the washing unit thoroughly, leaving the door open for 2-3 days.
Citric acid helps to get rid of mold. It is softer than chlorine, but at the same time it can clean the heating element of the washing machine from scale. For cleaning, 400 g of acid is enough. The wash cycle without laundry starts at a temperature of 60-90 degrees. Instead of citric acid, you can clean with vinegar1 liter is enough for washing. Preventive antifungal cleaning is performed 3-4 times a year.
How to get rid of mold forever
The rules will help you get rid of mold forever:
- after washing, it is better to keep the door of the machine open until it is completely dry inside;
- do not leave washed laundry in the washing machine;
- after washing, thoroughly remove moisture from the drum and the rubber seal outside and inside;
- at the end of washing, it is necessary to wash the detergent dispenser and dry it;
- run the machine every month without clothes at 90-100 degrees, using a bleaching agent for cleaning;
- 3-4 times a year clean the washer with citric acid or vinegar in hot water;
- use water improvers (conditioners, rinses) as rarely as possible - after them it is difficult to clean the tank from the fungus;
- Regular cleaning of the filter and hoses helps to get rid of mold.
When these rules are followed, it is easy to clean the fungus from the walls of the tank and rubber at the time of its appearance - the spores will not have time to multiply and spread throughout the car. Regular cleaning and drying will extend the life of your washing machine. Pathogenic spores, bacteria will not get on linen and in the respiratory tract of family members and pets. The fight against mold will preserve both the technique and the health of the inhabitants of the house. Now you know what to do if mold appears in the washing machine and how to get rid of it forever.
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