How to remove odor from a washing machine with citric acid?

Household appliances smell bad due to fire or dirt accumulated inside. If the aroma emanating from the washer does not smell like burning, then the problem is sewage. There is only one way out - to carry out an unscheduled “cleaning” of the machine, to remove mold, debris and scale with soap deposits from it. Manufacturers advise buying a professional cleaner, and housewives advise cleaning the washing machine from the smell with citric acid. The second option is cheaper, simpler and no less effective.

How to clean with lemon?

With citric acid, cleaning from unpleasant odors will not require much effort and time. The procedure will require a soft, dry cloth and 60-150 g of powder. The final dosage depends on the capacity of the washing machine: if the drum is designed for 4 kg of laundry, then 60 g is enough, if the maximum load is larger, then 100-150 g.

The cleaning process is as follows:

• empty the drum of clothes (forgotten clothes will become discolored due to the lemon juice);
• pour citric acid into the detergent tray (select the compartment for the main wash);

Citric acid can be added both to the powder receiver and directly to the drum!

• turn on a long high-temperature mode (if the machine is cleaned regularly, then 60 degrees is enough, if there is a thick layer of scale and a strong smell - at least 90);
• deactivate the spin cycle or set it to the minimum position;
• close the drum with the tray and start the cycle;
• at the end of the program, wipe the hatch cuff, removing stuck pieces of scale from the folds;
• unscrew the garbage filter and clean it of debris and scale;
• wipe the drum, tray and machine body dry.

The effectiveness of the procedure can be assessed already in the middle of the program. If creaking sounds are heard while the drum rotates and pieces of scale float in the water, it means that the process of dissolving deposits has begun. In some cases, lemongrass begins to act only after the 2-3rd cycle.

Experts recommend cleaning the machine with lemon juice no more than 3 times a year. If the water in the tap is too hard and dirty, then you can repeat the procedure every 30 washes. Ideally, one “lemon” cycle every 6 months is enough to keep your washing machine clean.

Why is it so important to “get to the bottom” of the cause?

One cycle with lemon is enough for the machine to stop smelling bad. But acid can only remove the unpleasant odor from the machine if its cause lies in plaque and mold. But when the strange “amber” comes not from accumulated garbage, but from sewage from the sewer that enters the drum, the powder is useless. Cleaning will have a short-term effect, and you will have to fix the drain problem first.

It's simple: the drain hose is connected to the washing machine incorrectly, and when water is drawn in and pumped out, a difference in pressure occurs, called the “siphon effect.” In such a situation, the machine begins to “suck” liquid from the outside, grabbing dirt from the sewer. There is only one solution - reconnect the drainage according to the rules from the instructions.

If everything is fine with the drain, but the smell is still there, then another “dirty” problem has arisen. To diagnose, you will need to disassemble the washing machine and check all possible causes one by one. It’s better not to experiment and turn to professionals.

Can lemon juice break a car?

The effectiveness of citric acid against mold, scale and unpleasant odors is beyond doubt. Alkaline perfectly dissolves mineral deposits and kills bacteria, eliminating foul fumes. But many are interested in a logical question: does this product harm the machine itself, which contains many easily damaged elements - pipes, oil seal and cuff.

The washing machine cannot be turned on at high temperature several times in a row.

Experts answer that the risks are minimal. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and not exceed the recommended dose. If you add too much acid and run a high-temperature cycle, the machine can really break down. Acidic essence in excess dosages will damage the seals and pipes - the scale will come off along with the gum. But it’s no longer a matter of lemon, but a matter of heating: working several cycles in a row at maximum power, the heating element can overheat. Even in hot water, the seal is deformed and puts the bearing assembly at risk.

The likelihood of a negative result is low, so most housewives prefer “lemon” cleansing. This is the cheapest and most affordable high-performance cleaner. The safety of the product is also attractive: lemongrass does not have a strong odor, is easy to rinse and does not cause allergic reactions.

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