How to clean the heating element in a washing machine

The heating element in the washing machine is responsible for heating the water for high-quality and efficient washing. Unfortunately, it most often fails. There are two main causes of failure: short circuit and scale. As a result of a short circuit, the heaters or their contacts burn out; when scale occurs, the element overheats and fails.

After reading the article, you will learn how to clean the heating element of a washing machine from scale.

How to clean the heating element in a washing machine

After reading the article, you will learn how to clean the heating element of a washing machine from scale.

Causes and consequences of pollution

It is really necessary to clean your automatic machine. You should also know what exactly needs to be washed. If you look inside a device that has been in use for a long time, the first thing that catches your eye is the dirty residue that has formed on the metal and plastic elements. It contains minerals, so it is often hard and cannot be easily cleaned mechanically.

The causes of plaque are as follows:

The water entering the machine is hard or dirty.
The powder contains many chemical components.
The equipment is constantly operated in intensive washing mode.

Many corners of the washing machine are difficult to reach, and this is where dirt accumulates. Cleaning it is quite a difficult task, since the hand cannot reach such places, and using various sharp instruments is dangerous. This is the reason for the layering of dirt, which is why the home assistant soon becomes unusable . It breaks, and repairing it is not cheap. This leads to the conclusion that you shouldn’t go to extremes, but rather find out in advance how to descale a washing machine and disinfect its drum and tank. If measures are taken in time, the life of a domestic helper will be significantly extended.

Hard water contains a lot of magnesium and calcium salts. When heated, they turn into carbon dioxide and solid sediment. Then the latter, together with dirty particles, for example, rust, settles on the heating element and the tank of the machine. A heating element covered with a crust of scale conducts heat worse, as a result, the water takes longer to heat up, while the amount of electricity increases. And sediment from the water clogs the inlet valve, causing its parts to become unusable ahead of time.

More dirt gets into the machine after turning off the water and repairs .

To find out whether scale has accumulated on the heating element or not, you should look into the device of the machine. As a rule, the heating element is located under the drum or slightly offset from its center to the side. Armed with a flashlight, you need to illuminate the holes in the drum and try to see the heating element. To ensure uniform lighting, you can lightly shake the drum. It may not work out right away, but by choosing the right swinging speed, you will eventually be able to consider the heating element.

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Why does plaque appear?

Scale on heating parts occurs due to hard water. When water exceeds the content of insoluble calcium and magnesium biocarbonate, it leaves a sediment. It sticks to the heating element and other parts of the washing machine.

Should you be afraid of scale?

If scale is not removed in time, then over time the heating element becomes so overgrown with it that it ceases to function normally. Besides:

To effectively wash in hard water, you need to use more detergent. It is known that clothes are washed better in soft water.
When plaque forms on the heater, it prevents it from delivering the proper amount of heat. Therefore, much more electricity is consumed to heat the water.
A burnt heating element can cause a malfunction of the electronics, control board elements, and wiring. Such repairs will cost much more than timely cleaning of the element.

Moreover, flying pieces of scale during washing end up in the drum and drain pipe, which can lead to serious damage. Therefore, it is important to know how and how to clean the heating element in a washing machine from scale.

Famous cleaning products

In stores and markets you can find a large number of cleaning products from various manufacturers. The most popular and advertised is Calgon, which supposedly prevents the appearance of scale in the SMA.

Studies have proven that Calgon has minimal impact on water quality. Therefore, the plaque will still settle on the parts, just a little slower.

Every manufacturer who advertises their product and knows how to remove scale from heating elements uses marketing techniques. Simply put: every expensive product contains regular citric acid. So what's stopping us from using it at home?

How often should heating elements be cleaned?

Heating elements in boilers, SMA (automatic washing machines) and in PMM (dishwashers) come into contact with hard water and become covered with scale. To ensure uninterrupted operation of the device, you need to keep its heating elements clean. The first signs of scale appearing on the heating element:

The device takes longer than usual to reach the set mode, the water heats up slowly;
increased energy consumption;
loud extraneous sounds appeared: hissing, clicking;
hot water has turned yellow;
Gray-yellow flakes appear in the water - scale particles separated from the heating element.

A year after the start of operation, the heating element should be inspected and cleaned. If the water entering the house has a hardness index (concentration of hardness salts) exceeds 350 mg/l, then cleaning should be carried out annually. With increased hardness, it is necessary to clean it at least every 5-6 months.

Removing scale at home

Take citric acid to clean the heating element in the initial stages of contamination or for prevention in new washing machines.

Add 150-200 g of citric acid to the dispenser in the powder compartment.

Now select the longest wash cycle without spinning, with a water temperature of 60 degrees.

Note! Cleaning with citric acid is carried out in an empty washing machine. Therefore, empty the tank of laundry in advance.

Wait until the cycle finishes before descaling. Now open the loading hatch.
By bending the rubber cuff, remove pieces of scale and debris from the cracks.
Wipe the inside of the drum thoroughly with a microfiber cloth that absorbs water well.

It is important to perform this cleaning regularly, since a single application will not protect the elements from further damage by plaque. It is recommended to use citric acid once every three to four months.

We use chemistry

Chemicals for descaling heating elements are as effective as they are dangerous if used incorrectly.

How to do it right:

Add the product according to the instructions to the CM drum.
Set the temperature to 60-90 degrees, start washing without laundry.
Clean no more than once a month.

The danger of chemicals is that exceeding the dose can damage the rubber elements of the washing machine. For example, cuffs, hoses. The chemical will corrode the rubber, leading to loss of seal and leakage.

Another danger of chemicals: if the heater is heavily damaged by plaque, pieces of it during such cleaning can stop the operation of the MAS or clog the drain tract.

In this case, it is better to remove the heating element from the car and then start cleaning it.

Wash with Antiscale

The principle of operation of this substance is similar to the principle of operation of citric acid, but it is a little more expensive and is designed specifically to clean dirt that gets on the heater or the inside of an electric kettle.

Buy a pack of anti-scale and pour the amount indicated in the instructions into the powder compartment. Turn on idle mode.

Choose a function with which the wash lasts no longer than 60-70 minutes. This chemical is stronger than acid and can damage the car.

The disadvantage of the product is that if you pour too much of it, it can corrode the rubber parts of the automatic machine. As a result, it will start to leak and will need repairs. Therefore, you need to be very careful with Antiscale.

How to get the heater

For front-loading washing machines, the element can be located in both the front and back.

Try to visually determine where the heating element is by inspecting the front and back panels. Usually it is hidden behind a wider lid.

To remove the element, remove the CMA panel.

Remove the top cover by unscrewing the two bolts at the back.
Pull out the dispenser tray by pressing the latch.
Unscrew the control panel screws and lift it up.
Remove the bottom cover, unscrew the screws there.
Open the hatch door, bend the cuff, remove the metal clamp.
Disconnect the wires of the electronic lock (UBL).
Remove the front panel.

The heater in this case is located under the tank. You need to press out all the connectors leading to it, loosen the central nut and push it inward.

To remove the back cover, you only need to unscrew the mounting screws to get to the element.

How to remove scale? To do this, remove the temperature sensor from the heating element and rinse it under running hot water. Remove the pieces of stone that are removed by hand. Do not forcefully scrape off the scale, otherwise you may damage the body.

Take a two-liter plastic bottle.
Cut off the neck and fill the container with hot water.
Dissolve three to four tablespoons of citric acid in water.
Place a heater there.
Leave it for a day.

The acid breaks down the components of the water stone. After that, all you have to do is remove the coating - and you will get a clean part.

Then install it in place and do not forget about prevention.

Cleaning products

There are many means with which, as the manufacturer assures, you can clean the heating element, however, not all of these means are equally effective. Moreover, the success of the business largely depends on the chosen method of cleaning the heating element. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The main means with which housewives try to clean the heating elements of their “home assistants” is citric acid. By the way, this remedy is not bad, but it is far from the only one. You can see a lot of industrial chemicals in the store.

There are many products on the market for cleaning the heating element of a washing machine, and all of them are more expensive than regular citric acid.

Top House;
Topper;
Magic Power;
Zool;
Frau Schmidt and others.

The principle of operation of the above products is the same, cleaning using active chemicals. They actively dissolve scale deposited on the heating element, gradually cleaning the heating element, and at the same time other parts of the machine from lime deposits. True, there is one “but”. Many commercial descaling products contain citric acid. The question arises, why overpay for an expensive foreign product when you can take an ordinary cheap lemon juice and the cleaning effect will be the same? The answer, in our opinion, is obvious. And for experienced housewives, cleaning with lemon has always been a priority.

Some housewives sincerely believe in the miraculous properties of the well-known, thanks to aggressive advertising, Calgon powder. It is used both to prevent the formation of limescale and to clean the heating element of the washing machine. How justified is this?

Yes, this is in no way justified! Firstly, Kalgon is not intended for cleaning the heating element of a washing machine from limescale, and this is determined by the manufacturer itself. Cleaning with Calgon is doomed to failure. Secondly, Calgon is not even able to soften the water sufficiently so that scale does not settle on the heating element. Our independent tests showed that in those washing machines where Calgon was used, scale also formed and coated the heating element, although a little more slowly. In the end, you will spend many times more money on Calgon than you will later on repairs and replacement parts, although, of course, it’s up to you to decide.

Calgonite and products similar in composition to Calgon are also considered ineffective. In total, a lot of money is spent on them, but there is very little benefit from it.

When there is little limescale

If you have never cleaned the heating element of your washing machine from scale, but your washing machine is new, you can safely use the chemical cleaning method without dismantling the heating element. To do this you need to perform a number of simple steps.

To clean the scale from the heating element of the machine, take 100 g of citric acid and pour it into the powder tray. You need to pour it into the main wash compartment.
Close the tray, remove everything that is there from the hatch of the washing machine, first of all the dirty laundry.
Set the washing program for at least 1.5 hours at a temperature not lower than 60 0 C, the lower the temperature, the slower the reaction, so in our opinion it is better to set 90-95 0 C.
Wait for the program to complete and that’s it, you can not repeat cleaning with citric acid for 3-4 months, the heating element will be fine.

A small amount of lemon scale can be cleaned without problems. But here it is important to repeat the procedures at least once every 3-4 months. Even if you think that you have soft water and the heating element “does not suffer,” still carry out the above procedure - you will not regret it.

When the car heater is overgrown with scale

You can clean a small amount of scale from the heating element using lemon juice or other safe chemicals, but what to do if you suspect that the heating element is actually overgrown with plaque. In this case, dry cleaning of the washing machine cannot be used.

The fact is that chemical cleaning in this case can end badly both for the spare part itself and for the washing machine as a whole. When using lemon juice, pieces of water stone will begin to fall off the heating element and fall into the pipes or remain in the tank, risking blocking the rotation of the drum and contaminating the clothes being washed. In general, such cleaning will do more harm than good, but what can you do, how can you clean the part in this case without harming the washing machine?

Large pieces of scale can hang around in the machine for hundreds of washes and cause harm to the “home assistant”, causing it to break down.

There is only one way out - to clean the heating element by first removing it from the washing machine. In this case, difficulties may arise, because not everyone can decide to disassemble a car before it breaks down, and even then. Not everyone will be able to independently remove this part from the washing machine, although in our opinion it is not at all difficult. We understand the fears and uncertainty of automatic washing machine users, but it is also clear to us that if the heating element is not removed and cleaned now, then in a month or two it may simply burn out and then repairs will have to be carried out at additional costs. What are we doing?

We determine the location of the heating element in your washing machine model. The easiest way is to remove the heating element from a top-loading washing machine, because in such models it is removed through the service hatch located inside the drum. For front-facing cameras, the heating element can be located either behind the front wall of the case or behind the rear.
We remove the heating element from the washing machine. We have already written several times about how to remove the heating element from a washing machine in order to check or replace it in various publications on our website, so we will not repeat it. If you are interested in details, you can read the article Replacing the heating element in a Bosch washing machine.
We take the part that is overgrown with limescale and rinse it under running hot water, while at the same time we try to clean off the pieces of scale with our fingers.

Under no circumstances try to remove plaque with sandpaper, a wire brush, or even scrape it off with a knife. It's so easy to damage a part and cause problems.

When we manage to clean the heating element, freeing it from large pieces of scale, we take a two-liter plastic bottle, cut off the top part from it, take 3-4 tablespoons of citric acid along with the neck and pour it into this container. Pour hot water into the container, stir the lemon, and then put the part in the container.

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Now we just have to wait about a day. During this time, a concentrated solution of lemon juice will dissolve the remaining scale from the heating element, and the part will shine like new again. We rinse the part under running water, wipe it with a cloth and you can put the heating element back in place. It is done.

Cleaning the heating element of an automatic washing machine is not difficult, especially if you do not allow the heating element to become excessively overgrown with water stone. If this does happen, you will have to remove and clean our part manually, otherwise the heater will simply burn out. Good luck!

How to avoid scale formation

As you understand, water softeners are not always effective. It is much more profitable to install a magnetic softener. This device allows you to efficiently break down salts that form sediment in water. Consequently, plaque will not settle on the parts of the washing machine.

It is located on the inlet hose or water pipe.

Don't forget that softened water requires less detergent than hard water. Therefore, be careful not to cause increased foaming in the SM.

It is recommended to wipe the inside of the washer and the cuff after each washing cycle. Leave the door open to allow the machine to dry.

Now you know how to clean the heating element in a washing machine. The main thing is not to delay, and to carry out timely scale prevention. You may not be able to use other water, but you can certainly use our tips to improve its quality.

A video on the topic will help you:

Cleaning heating elements from scale in washing machines, dishwashers and boilers

Electric kettles and samovars, dishwashers and automatic washing machines, boilers for heating water (boilers) seriously make our lives easier. Each of these devices has heating elements (tubular electric heaters). They are a hollow metal tube, sealed at one end, into which a spiral of nichrome wire is placed. The space between the metal walls and the spiral is filled with a dielectric - a substance with a high heat transfer coefficient: silicate sand or magnesium oxide.

Water contains salts of calcium, magnesium, iron - the so-called hardness salts, which does not have the best effect on the condition of household appliances and water pipes. Most of the deposits appear on the surface of the heaters, but even at low temperatures, salts settle on the walls of the pipelines. Carbonates, carbonic acid salts (CaCO3 and MgCO3), sulfates and silicates of calcium, magnesium and iron are found in water. Salts create scale - a porous coating on the walls of pipes, containers and heating elements.

How to clean the heating element of a washing machine from scale and why it appears

When the washing machine becomes dirty, namely when scale appears on the heating element, the question arises of how to clean the heating element of the washing machine from scale.

For different SMs, the heating element can be located both in the front and in the back. If you need to clean the heating element, you first need to understand where it is located in this particular machine model. If there are no instructions where this is shown schematically, then its location should be visually determined.

Most often, heating elements are located behind a wide cover. In order to remove the heating element from the washing machine, you need to remove the CMA panel.

If the heating element is located in front, then it is necessary:

Unscrew the two screws at the back and remove the decorative cover located on top;
By pressing the latch (sometimes you need to turn the lever), remove the detergent dispenser container;
Lift up the control panel by unscrewing the screws;
Remove the bottom cover in the same way by unscrewing the bottom bolts;
Having opened the hatch, bend the cuff and remove the metal clamp;
Release the terminals of the UBL (hatch blocking device) from the wires;
Finally, remove the panel covering the front of the heating element.

In this case, the heating element is located at the bottom of the tank. Therefore, to get it, you need to loosen the nut located in the center, move the connectors leading to the heating element and push the nut inward. After this, you can remove the heating element from the machine.

If the heating element is located behind the back wall of the machine, as in many Samsung models, then you only need to unscrew the mounting screws to remove the heating element.

Before cleaning the heating element from scale, it is necessary to remove the temperature sensor from it and wash it in hot water. You should remove all easily breakable stones by hand, never using hard objects to avoid damaging the body.

Lemon acid

Pour hot water into a plastic bottle or other container with a volume of about two liters, after cutting off the neck. Citric acid, in the amount of 3-4 tablespoons, must be dissolved in water. Place the heating element inside the bottle and leave for a day.

The water stone formed on the heating element must be dissolved by the acid. After the heating element is removed from the container a day later, all that remains is to remove the deposits from it and wipe the clean part. The heating element is installed in its original place.

Vinegar

To destroy scale in SM, you can use vinegar. This is also a fairly economical option.

Pour 2 cups of 9% vinegar into the washing powder container and wash in an empty machine at high temperature on the longest cycle. After the machine has filled with water, it must be stopped and allowed to stand for about 1 hour. During this time, the process of destruction of scale on the internal parts of the machine should begin.

After an hour, you need to start the machine and continue washing on the shortest cycle. This is necessary so that the internal parts of the machine are rinsed from residual vinegar and scale.

You shouldn't clean your car with vinegar often. Once every six months is enough. And to eliminate unpleasant odors, you can add a little vinegar to the detergent tray when washing rough items.

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Cleaning the washing machine

According to statistics, the main causes of failure are scale formation on the electric heater and filter clogging. Regular cleaning of the washing machine from scale and dirt will allow it to work much longer.

How to descale heating elements

The heating element (tubular electric heater) performs the function of heating the water in the washing machine tank to operating temperature. If the amount of impurities in the water exceeds the norm, the risk of failure of the heating element is very high. With each wash, the layer of scale becomes larger and larger, and eventually the machine stops working.

Cleaning with citric acid

Scale consists of metal salts, and to clean it you will need acid. The easiest way is to use citric acid. A washing machine with a drum capacity of 5 liters may need 100-120 g. Pour the acid into the powder tray and run the wash at 60 degrees for 1 hour or more. In addition to the heating element, this method will help clean the washing machine drum from scale.

Cleaning with vinegar

To do this, pour 200-250 ml of 9% vinegar into the powder tray. Vinegar can clean heating elements faster, but due to its aggressiveness it can damage rubber parts. Whether or not to clean your car with vinegar is up to you.

Some masters suggest regularly adding soda to the washing powder when washing. Baking soda helps soften water, eliminates unpleasant odors and slows down the formation of scale.

Cleaning the drain pump filter

If the filter is allowed to become heavily contaminated, water from the drain may rise to the top and break out. To prevent this, it is recommended to clean the filter regularly. It's easy to do. The filter is usually located at the bottom on the front surface of the housing.

We open the hatch, having previously laid something on the floor: up to a liter of water can spill out. After this, unscrew the lid counterclockwise and remove all accumulated debris. All that remains is to wipe the hole, tighten the lid and install the decorative panel in place.

Cleaning the removable powder tray from detergents

Over time, dirt, mold and even mildew form on the surface of the tray. During the washing process, all this comes into contact with the drum and our laundry. Cleaning the container is easy, as it is removed from the washing machine.

We will need an old toothbrush, soap and toilet cleaner. Dirt and mold can be removed with a brush and soap. To remove plaque, use a toilet bowl cleaner. Pour 20-30 ml into the compartment and leave for 1-2 hours. The procedure is simple, so you can repeat it after every 5th wash.

Cleaning under the rubber seal

Mix bleach with warm water in a 1:1 ratio, wet the fabric and wipe all internal surfaces. If the dirt is very strong, leave the cloth soaked in the solution for half an hour. After this, brush it again with a toothbrush. cleaning the seal

On the Internet you can find numerous videos with tips on caring for your washing machine. Here are some of them.

An easy way to clean your washing machine using citric acid. The drum and heating element will be like new!

The master recommends adding soda to washing powder to prevent scale formation.

How and with what is it easy to clean a washing machine? Detailed instructions.

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Other reagents

In order to clean the heating element, you can also use chemicals. However, it should be remembered that they are equally dangerous if safety rules are neglected, as they are effective.

To properly clean the heating element using chemical reagents you need:

Pour or pour the product into the drum of the machine;
Set the washing mode at 60-90 degrees and start it without putting laundry in the drum;
For preventive purposes, repeat this procedure monthly.

Chemical reagents are also dangerous because an overdose leads to the destruction of machine parts made of rubber or delicate plastics. Such as hoses and cuffs. If the rubber is corroded, the parts lose their tightness and elasticity, resulting in a leak in the washing machine.

Chemicals should be used with extreme caution, because if large pieces of plaque clog the drain system or stop the machine from operating, this can lead to electronic failure or leakage. If this does happen, then you need to immediately remove the heating element from the machine and clean it.

The whole truth about Kalgon

Thousands of housewives, believing the advertisement, rush to purchase this product to prevent scale. After all, none of them wants expensive equipment to fail. But is it really that effective? Professionals answer that Calgon belongs to ordinary water softeners. It contains soda and sodium triphosphate . One box of product costs three times more than the cost of the components. By the way, you can prepare your own water softener by taking its components. It will turn out no worse, but much cheaper. However, you shouldn’t do this either, much less purchase ready-made Calgon.

Cleaning a water cooler at home

The fact is that it is not reliable protection for the heating element. On the contrary, it only brings damage. If you constantly use this product, the surface of the heating element will become as hard as cement. This layer is much harder and more durable than magnesium and calcium scale. Therefore, you should not be surprised if the heating element quickly burns out.

Instead of the promoted Calgon, it is better to use ordinary modern powders, to which manufacturers add a softener and other substances that care for the washing machine. In addition, scale prevention will be much cheaper.

Causes of scale

The cause of scale on the heating element is hard water and mineral salts dissolved in it. When the content of magnesium and calcium biocarbonate in the water exceeds, sediment remains. It is this that settles on the heating element and other parts of the SM, leading to breakdowns and leaks.

When washing in hard water, more washing powder is required. And in soft water, clothes are washed much more efficiently.

If plaque appears on the heating element, it does not allow the element to transfer the heat necessary for washing to the water. As a result, more electrical energy is required to heat the water.

If the heating element burns out, the electronic board or its elements may fail and this will result in costly repairs.

What is scale and where does it come from?

This is a deposit of salts on devices that heat water during operation. In a household there are usually two such devices - a kettle and an automatic washing machine. The main reason for scale formation is too hard water, in which a large amount of magnesium and calcium is dissolved. Especially often, due to hard water, scale forms in residents of apartments connected to a public water supply. Limescale also appears in the washing machine if you wash things with powder containing too many chemical and mineral components. Then its remains are deposited on the heating element and often affect the machine even worse than salts. It’s bad when the “intensive wash” mode is constantly on in the machine. It increases the percentage of salts that fall on the surface and quickly harden.

Pollution prevention

As a preventive measure, it is easier to use citric acid to clean the heating element.

Prevention is performed as follows:

A glass of citric acid is poured into the washing powder tray;
The longest wash cycle is selected, without using a spin cycle, at a water temperature above 60 degrees. Important: cleaning with citric acid is carried out without putting laundry in the drum.

Before descaling, you must allow the machine to finish the selected wash cycle;
The loading lid is opened and, by bending the cuff, pieces of water stone, dirt and debris that have fallen there are removed;
The drum is wiped with a soft cloth that absorbs water well.

It is important to carry out such preventive actions regularly, without leading to the appearance of a thick layer of deposits on the heating element. At least four times a year.

To prevent scale formation, you can use a magnetic softener. It is more effective than commercial water softeners.

This device quickly breaks down salts that form sediment in water. Thus, plaque will not remain on the components of the washing machine.

A magnetic softener is installed at the cold water inlet of the washing machine on the hose itself or on the water supply.

When using a water softener, it is necessary to take into account that when washing clothes in soft water, less washing powder is required than in hard water. Otherwise, increased foaming will occur and you will have to stop the wash cycle and remove the foam.

After each wash, you need to wipe the machine, its inside, especially the cuff dry. The door should be left open until the machine is dry.

Methods for descaling heating elements

The choice of method and means of cleaning the heating element depends on the type of device.

Descaling the heating element of a washing machine

For automatic washing machines, water softeners are used, installed on the supply hose; they significantly slow down the formation of scale. Not everyone can disassemble the housing on their own to get to the heating element, especially since deposits can form on the walls of the tank and drum. Therefore, it is better to use the chemical method using citric acid:

Wipe the inside of the tank and the rubber cuff with a damp cloth soaked in detergent.
Pour citric acid into the washing powder tray. For a machine with a load of 5 kg, 100 g of the drug is enough.
Select a washing program with a water temperature of +90 ºС, turn on the wash (without laundry), and after 5 minutes pause. After an hour, continue the cycle until it is completed.
Wipe the drum walls and rubber cuff with a well-absorbing cloth, leave the hatch door open until completely dry.

How and with what to clean a washing machine: the best methods + review of special products

Do you want to extend the trouble-free operation of your washing machine by cleaning its main elements? Agree, it’s great when the washing machine works like a clock: load the laundry, pour in the powder, press start. To do this, it is worth remembering the most important thing: any equipment needs care.

But the range of detergents is very rich and you don’t know which of them can cope with the task? We will help you figure out how and how to clean your washing machine from a variety of contaminants - from scale to banal dirt and the ubiquitous fungus.

The article discusses effective methods of cleaning the heating element with an overview of the most effective means. To avoid breakdowns of expensive appliances, floods and other consequences of oversight, we offer step-by-step instructions on how to perform comprehensive cleaning of all important components and elements of the washing machine.

We have selected photos depicting important stages of the process, as well as useful videos demonstrating the prevention and maintenance of the unit on our own.

What are the dangers of scale deposits on the heating element of a washing machine (WM)?

Hard water contains heavy impurities. They settle on the machine parts, which affects the washing efficiency. It turns out that plaque reduces the service life of equipment by one and a half to two times.

What is scale? These are potassium and magnesium salts found in water. As the temperature rises, they settle on the parts and then turn to stone.

The main problem: accumulating on the surface of the heating element, scale turns to stone, disrupting heat transfer. As a result, the heating element overheats and burns out.

Each time the duration of water heating may increase. This consumes more electricity.

The following signs will help you understand that it is time to carry out prevention:

Linen doesn't wash well. The hatch is cold even half an hour after the start of the cycle.
There is a musty smell.
The powder is poorly washed out.

Of course, to be sure of contamination, inspect the element. How to wash and remove plaque from a washing machine? Various cleaning agents are used for this.

How to clean the heating element of a washing machine?

Chemicals with extensive advertising can be used. These are sold in stores:

Whatever the manufacturer of the product, they act the same. Gradually, the particles wash away the deposits from the heater. Interestingly, almost every powder contains a proportion of citric acid. Therefore, you can just as successfully use what every housewife has at hand:

Commercials encourage users to take care of their machine using Calgon. After the tests, it was proven that even with the addition of Calgon, scale settles on the parts. Just slower.

All that remains is to put two and two together: remember how much money you spent on the constant use of Calgon and similar products? It is cheaper and more effective to carry out deposit prevention once every 3–4 months.

To reduce water hardness, add soda when washing.

In some cases, plaque will have to be removed manually. Read about it below.

Why should you clean your washing machine?

Although the purpose of the machine is to “give” us clean things, the condition of the device itself may be far from sterile.

Dirt removed from clothing during washing accumulates on the internal elements. Black spots of mold can often be replaced on the sealing gum and the edges of the drum, because heat and moisture are ideal conditions for the development of fungal organisms.

And the heating element and other parts are gradually covered with a coating of salts that are in the water.

Main sources of pollution:

high mineralization of water;
use of aggressive chemicals and low-quality detergents;
improper operation of the device;
washing heavily soiled items - overalls with residues of mortar or machine oil, clothes after gardening work, etc.

So, in order to bring your assistant into a perfectly clean appearance, it’s time to do some general cleaning, starting from the body itself and ending with the internal parts.

To wash away obvious external contaminants (stains of gel, conditioner, traces of powder), warm water and a sponge are enough. But you will have to work hard with the parts hidden in the depths of the unit.

We remove scale from the heating element and internal elements

One of the most serious accidents that can easily happen if you do not properly care for your washing machine is the failure of a tubular electric heater.

Since the heating element is in contact with running water, scale forms on it after each wash - deposits of calcium and magnesium salts.

Therefore, if a softening filter is not installed in the drain, it is recommended to add special agents to the powder (for example, Calgon) and carry out preventive maintenance at least once a month.

Method #1 - improvised materials from stocks

One of the simplest and most effective ways to combat lime deposits is to pour tribasic carboxylic or citric acid into the powder compartment and turn it on at any high temperature setting.

This recipe works simply: when heated, the acid actively corrodes not only light deposits, but also caked limestone, as a result of which it cleans both the heating element and the steel of the drum.

Calculation of the required amount of powder must be done based on the degree of contamination of the machine and its container. On average, for every kilogram of loading there is about 25-30 grams of acid.

If the unit has not been cleaned for a long time, you can take note of the following advice: pour acid into the powder container, run any long washing mode with a temperature of 90°C and above and turn off the power from the network halfway through the process. Leave it overnight and start the machine again in the morning.

It is recommended to use this procedure no more than 4 times a year, and after each time you must check the drain hose and drum cuff to remove large particles of loose limestone.

Other home remedies and their uses:

Table vinegar - pour 1-2 cups of a 9 percent acetic acid solution into the detergent cuvette, select a high-temperature mode with long washing and pre-soaking. To get rid of the specific sour smell, you can then turn on an additional rinse.
Baking soda and vinegar - to enhance the effect of acid on limescale, a special solution will be useful. It is prepared like this: half a glass of soda is mixed with the same amount of water and placed in a container for powder, and 1 glass of 9% vinegar is poured into the drum. Then the machine starts in any long-term mode at maximum temperature.
Bleach and other chlorine-containing products are used in the old fashioned way by many housewives for comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of the washing machine.

But in fact, the effectiveness of caustic preparations is very doubtful: they will not save you from scale, but some elements (for example, the rubber drum seal and various sealing gaskets) can cause great damage. And chlorine vapors are harmful to health.

But we looked at the most reliable, cheap, safe and practice-tested methods for getting rid of scale using improvised means.

Method #2 - special chemicals

The cleaning agent for washing machine elements must be safe for humans, fabrics and all internal surfaces of the device, and also effectively remove lime deposits and other contaminants.

Specialized preparations have an important advantage over “folk” ones - their composition is developed taking into account the design features of the device and does not harm some elements while cleaning others.

Topperr 3004 (Germany) – descaling cleaner, suitable for dishwashers and washing machines. It removes scale of varying degrees well, recommended by Bosh manufacturers.
Schnell Entkalker is a powder for quickly cleaning internal elements from stubborn lime deposits. Produced in Germany, available in 200g packs.
Antikalk for Washing Machines from Sano (Israel) is a universal gel for the prevention and elimination of small plaque with an antibacterial effect.
Magic Power (Germany) is one of the best specialized products for washing machines. Available in the form of gel and powder, which effectively removes plaque from heating elements, tanks, and drums.
Beckmann (Germany) is a universal product that will protect against scale and eliminate unpleasant odors caused by various contaminants. But, like any multi-purpose product, it is good for regular care, but will be ineffective against heavy dirt.
Filtero 601 (Germany) – works well to remove old scale from the heater and other elements; it is recommended to use 3-4 times a year for intensive cleaning of the machine. Available in 200 g bags for one use.
Doctor TEN (Russia) and Antinakipin (Belarus) are analogue powder preparations intended only for removing scale, but from any equipment. An inexpensive and convenient solution to the problem of lime deposits on the heating elements of both washing machines and dishwashers.

Please note that many products that, judging by the advertising, are guaranteed to protect our machine from problems with plaque, will not get rid of existing scale, but will simply reduce the concentration of salts in the water, for example, the same Calgon.

It is easy to distinguish between them - it is recommended to add such preparations before starting the machine along with the powder or directly into the drum, and they are used when washing things.

Method #3 - manual cleaning

If you have never thought about how to clean your washing machine and all its key elements before, and the assistant has served you for more than one year, it is recommended that you first carry out a visual inspection of the heating element.

Most likely, a multi-layered limestone has already formed on the heating element, which will be easier to remove manually - with standard cleaning methods, broken-off solid plaque particles may remain inside the unit.

To clean the heating element we proceed in stages:

Disconnect the wires, sensor and remove the heating element. Scale and dirt can interfere with the process, so after loosening the fastening, carefully pry up the metal flange with a flat-head screwdriver. But be careful and proceed smoothly so as not to damage the tank itself and the wiring.
We rinse the heating element under good pressure with warm water to remove loose deposits and dirt.
We make a concentrated solution to remove stone residues: pour 3-4 tbsp into a plastic bottle with a cut off neck. citric acid powder, place the heating element inside and fill with hot water to the level of the bar.
Shake the liquid to activate the cleaning process. Rising air bubbles will indicate that magnesium and calcium salts have begun to dissolve.

In this state, we leave the heating element to soak overnight. And in the morning, we rinse the metal under running water with a soft sponge, wipe it dry, admire the glare of light on the sparkling stainless steel and install the element back into the device.

By the way, if you take the machine apart, you can also inspect the condition of the drum. You may have to dismantle it too in order to thoroughly clean all the holes and remove scale and mold.

But you shouldn’t do this without extreme necessity and skills in working with equipment; you can get by with treatment with a good special tool.

Folk remedies

You can remove salt deposits from the heating element of a washing machine not only using chemicals, but also using folk remedies and substances that are found in every home. Mainly used are citric acid, vinegar and tribasic carboxylic acid.

Cleaning with citric acid

You can choose household acid, which can be purchased in stores, or specialized acid, which is used for cleaning equipment in industry and has a higher concentration.

The concentration must be clearly calculated based on the millimeters of area covered by scale. Liquid with a concentration of more than 10% corrodes the parts of the washing machine, and if the percentage is below 4%, the use of liquid will be ineffective.

To remove scale using this product, you must follow these steps:

remove things from the drum, the tank should be empty;
close the door tightly, and pour 3 tbsp into the powder compartment. household citric or carboxylic acid;
select the boiling mode, that is, the maximum temperature of 90-95 degrees;
for maximum efficiency, set an additional rinse to completely remove scale from the unit;
expect 2-3 hours of washing in this mode, after which all internal parts will be clean from scale;
after the end of the program, check the drain hose and rubber elements for the presence of large scale particles;
Wipe dry all visible interior surfaces of the washing tub with a sponge.

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It is recommended to carry out the procedure no more than twice a year, this way you can return the unit to cleanliness and save electricity.

Alternatively, you can use a mixture of citric acid and bleach in equal quantities. The same cleaning procedure is applied in the selected mode. After this, not only will the scale be removed, but pathogenic microorganisms will also be destroyed. You should not use this procedure often, because chlorine can corrode the rubber elements of the washing machine.

Vinegar as an effective descaling agent

Cleaning procedure using vinegar:

remove all items from the drum;
pour 2 cups of 9% vinegar into the liquid compartment and select the longest wash cycle with the boil mode;
after the water has filled, pause the washing machine for 1 hour so that the solution dissolves the scale;
then turn on the wash cycle, and after it finishes, turn on the shortest wash cycle to effectively wash all internal parts of scale and vinegar residues.

Thanks to this method, not only deposits are washed off from the heating element, but also soap deposits from other internal parts. Bacteria and musty odors will also be removed. After this, wipe all visible parts of the drum and rubber inserts dry.

Procedure for comprehensive cleaning

In addition to scale, there are other problems that can be caused by improper operation of the machine: dirt, unpleasant odor, mold. Therefore, you should regularly maintain the cleanliness of the internal elements.

Step #1 - wash the drum

After each wash, residual water and dirt remain in the drum. And soon black spots appear in the folds of the sealing cuff, and a musty smell comes from the depths of the machine.

Starting at idle speed with the addition of disinfectants or regular citric acid will help solve the odor issue. But the gum needs to be thoroughly cleaned by hand.

The easiest option is to carefully push the folds apart, wash the cuff around the circumference with a sponge, soap and warm water, and then wipe dry.

If you notice mold stains, you can use a solution of copper sulfate or prepare a cleaning paste of water and baking soda in equal proportions.

Then thoroughly treat the elastic band and the entire drum with this mixture, leave for a couple of hours, and then wipe with a sponge and start the long-term wash cycle.

For more information on cleaning your washing machine drum, see this article.

Step #2 - clean the filter and drain hose

The cause of an unpleasant odor can also be debris invisible to the eye - hair, particles of soil or building materials, lint, feathers and various small objects that were not removed from clothing pockets in time.

All this accumulates in the filter and hose through which the machine releases waste water. It is recommended to clean the washing machine drain filter at least once every 3 months, and more often during active use.

To do this, you need to remove the protective panel, place a small container for draining water or place a rag on the floor. Then unscrew counterclockwise and remove the filter. Rinse it under high pressure water and remove accumulated debris from the hole.

To rinse the hose, you need to drain the remaining water in the machine through the drain filter and then disconnect it from the entrance to the sewer pipe or siphon. After this, you can remove the part, but exactly how to do this depends on the design of the device itself.

For example, in Ariston, Samsung, Indesit, LG, Whirpool, Ardo machines, you can only get to the hose connection through the bottom.

To do this, you need to lay the device on its side, remove the bottom panel and filter, and loosen the clamp with pliers. All that remains is to disconnect the pump and remove the hose itself.

In Electrolux and Zanussi machines, you need to look for the drain fastening behind the rear panel, and in Bosch and Siemens - behind the front, when it comes to front-loading machines.

But for vertical models, you can only get to the hose through the side cover. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to check the instructions, which describe the device diagram.

To clean the drainage hose from dirt and powder deposits, equip yourself with a thin non-metallic cable with a mini brush attached to one end.

We run this brush inside, scroll it and gradually move it to the end of the hose. Then rinse under pressure of warm water. For severe contamination, several passes can be made.

Step #3 - wash the powder container

A rough coating from hard water appears on the walls of the detergent compartment, and traces of powder and various rinse aids remain. All this needs to be removed.

We remove the cuvette from the compartment and remove the container for the conditioner.
We rinse under running water, wipe off mold stains with soda or any chlorine-containing product (there are no rubber elements here, so chlorine will not harm).
Pour a packet of citric acid into a small bowl.
Place the disassembled cuvette, fill it with hot water and leave for an hour (if it is heavily soiled, it can be overnight).
Then we remove the remaining plaque with a sponge and thoroughly clean all joints with a toothbrush.
Dry the container, assemble and place in place.

Another option for dealing with plaque is to fill the removed cuvette with soda and add table vinegar. As a result of the reaction, the soda will foam and soften the lime deposits so that they are easier to remove.

To get rid of dirt and plaque in the container compartment, you can use the same soda paste and toothbrush, and pre-treating the tray with a spray cleaner will help speed up the process.

Scale prevention

Prevention is divided into two types:

Physical.
Chemical.

Physical prevention is a special device that has several magnets installed in the hose through which water is supplied. Due to the fact that magnets create resonance and thereby change the structural formula of water, the formation of insoluble sediment is prevented, even when washing at high temperatures.

Chemical prevention involves using a special additive during washing. Thus, the insoluble precipitate still dissolves. There are quite a lot of such products on the market, the most common is Calgon, but there are others that contain sodium tripolyphosphates. It is added along with the powder.

To avoid tissue damage, it is best to use this product at idle speed and carefully read the instructions before doing so.

Among other things, ordinary soda ash can soften water. But be that as it may, the main thing is to correctly indicate the proportions, otherwise cleaning the heating element of a household washing machine will be simply inevitable.

Rules for caring for your washing machine

If you regularly take care of your assistant, you can do without disassembling the structure and unscheduled replacement of its elements. And to do this you just need to follow a few simple rules.

Recommendations and useful tips for care:

After washing, always wipe the door glass, drum and rubber band dry, and rinse the powder container under good pressure with warm water and dry.
If you have hard water in your area, you can equip the water supply hose to the machine with a magnetic filter. The flow will pass through a magnetic field and change the crystalline structure of the water, as a result of which scale simply does not form.
Wash blankets, sweaters and other fleecy items in a special fine-mesh bag.
Do not leave wet clothes in the washing machine even for a couple of hours - in addition to the unpleasant smell, the consequences of such forgetfulness will soon appear as black mold spots.
Promptly remove powder stains, water drips and grease splashes (applies to appliances installed in the kitchen) from the appliance body.

Depending on the time the stain appears, the options for getting rid of it will differ. To remove fresh dirt, simply wipe the plastic with a cloth soaked in water or a solution of dishwashing liquid. And baking soda paste will help deal with old yellow spots and stains.

The frequency of preventative cleaning with home or professional products depends on the quality of the water in your system, the use of softeners and how often you use the washing machine.

On average, the procedure for disinfestation and descaling should be carried out once every 2-3 months. And do not forget to rinse the filter and drum cuff to remove lime particles after all cleaning compounds.

Cleaning the filter

To avoid breakdowns of household appliances, it is imperative to clean the filter, as well as the hoses. There should be no blockages, otherwise it could cause a breakdown.

Sequence of work:

Before you start cleaning the filter from dirt, you should place a rag under the device to prevent water from spreading throughout the bathroom.
You will also need some kind of container to drain the water from the hose. The latter is located behind the panel that covers the filter.
Lower the hose to the bottom of the container. The filter can be found at the bottom of the machine in a special small hatch.
Open the hatch.
Wait until the liquid drains completely from the hose, then remove the filter by turning it counterclockwise.
The filter lends itself, but you can’t take it out right away; you should wait a little, holding it so that the remaining liquid drips onto the flap.
Inspect its impeller, remove all dirt from it and put it in place.
Don't forget to clean the base where the filter is inserted.

So, the cleanliness of the washing machine is the key to its long service life . You just need to take care of your assistant, arrange for pollution prevention at least once every six months, and then problems will be avoided. If a sediment has already formed, you can use the above methods, which will return your home appliances to their former shine and prevent them from breaking.

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