Washing machines make life much easier; such equipment can now efficiently wash clothes, spin them, dry them, and even iron them. The washing machine creates the ideal combination of moisture and heat for the active development of fungi and microorganisms. It happens that the smell of powder from washed clothes mixes with the unpleasant smell of mold or mildew. This means that dirt has accumulated in the machine and it’s time to clean it. Not everyone knows how to clean an elastic band in a washing machine.
Let's determine the reasons for the appearance of blackening on the gum
An important point is to determine the cause of the appearance of contaminants, because without eliminating the causes, it is not possible to completely get rid of them.
The main reasons are:
- use the washing machine only on short-term cycles;
- washing temperature does not exceed 60 degrees;
- the rubber rim is not wiped after use;
- When washing, do not use cleaning products that contain chlorine.
To reduce the appearance of dark spots on the rubber rim of the washing machine, the listed reasons must be eliminated.
Cleaning the rubber seal by removing
Most often, rubber seals are attached to the machine with special latches in the form of clips. If you pull these clips, you can remove the rubber gasket and then it will be easier to clean it. After removing the rubber cuff, you can wash it in a basin with warm water and soapy water, and clean and dry the area under it. After washing, the elastic must be dried and returned to its place.
There are types of machines with a different type of rubber band fastening; if this is not possible or quite difficult, then you need to clean it without removing the rubber band.
First of all, before starting cleaning, you need to disconnect the equipment from the network. Then carefully unscrew all the edges of the rubber band, inspecting the problem to decide on the cleaning method. Cleaning must be done with rubber gloves.
Getting rid of dirt and dust
Soda
It is not easy to quickly and most importantly clean the washing machine from dirt. First, let's look at the simplest and cheapest remedy - soda.
- Add a little water to regular baking soda to form a paste-like substance.
- Using a regular kitchen sponge, apply a mixture of baking soda to the dirty rubber gasket of the washing machine and leave it there for about half an hour.
- After that, turn on the rinse mode in the machine and everything is washed off.
Chlorine-based substances
Chlorine-based substances are excellent for removing stubborn dirt on the rubber seal.
- First you need to clean surface dirt with a damp cloth.
- Carefully bend the edges of the elastic band and walk over it with a sponge soaked in a chemical agent.
- Next, close the machine door and leave for half an hour.
- We start the wash without laundry to rinse the washing machine.
Dishwashing liquid
Rubber is a soft material, so you need to be careful with it. For mild stains, there is no need to use aggressive products; you can wash the elastic band with a sponge soaped with dishwashing detergent. This will give the cuff a pleasant aroma and a fresh look.
Laundry soap
Also a natural, but very effective means for cleaning simple dirt from the cuff of a washing machine is ordinary laundry soap; it is better to use liquid or grated soap.
- Mix shavings of laundry soap, a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent and a few drops of bleach in one bowl.
- Add water to this composition and foam well.
- Apply foam to the entire cuff and leave for a couple of hours, then turn on the idle wash mode and rinse twice.
- At the very end, the rubber must be wiped with a dry, absorbent cloth.
There is also a special liquid gel for cleaning automatic machines; you can purchase it at any household chemicals store.
Care Tips
In order not to encounter the problem again, you should follow simple rules for operating the washing machine.:
- do not close the hatch door and pull out the tray after washing;
- use high-quality washing powders;
- store laundry in a basket;
- run the wash at high temperature at least once a week;
- remove washed laundry immediately, do not leave it in the tank;
- regularly wipe the rubber parts of the machine with an antiseptic solution;
- Clean the tray from any residual detergent.
Simple and affordable means will help you deal with mold in your washing machine. Regular care and cleaning will prevent the fungus from reappearing.
Getting rid of odor and mold
Special detergents
Special detergents will help effectively get rid of odor and mold. Such products can easily be found on sale. Experts highlight several products from the price-benefit category: Domestos, Toilet duck, Vanish. The main selection criterion was the ability to remove fungus, odor and mucus. This product also needs to be applied to the drum seal using a sponge and left for a while, then rinsed with water.
Copper sulfate
The older age category of washing machine users most likely knows how to clean an elastic band in a washing machine using copper sulfate.
- 30 grams of vitriol should be diluted in one liter of water and a rag moistened with this raster should be walked over the entire inner surface of the car.
- Then you need to turn on the shortest washing mode.
- After finishing, wipe the inside surface of the washing machine dry with a cloth and leave the door open for ventilation.
It is important not to mix vitriol in enamel or metal containers. It is also worth remembering that vitriol is considered a toxic substance.
White
If no traces of dirt, mucus or plaque were found on the elastic, but an unpleasant odor is present, you can treat the entire surface of the elastic with white. The product is not expensive and is available in every home. In addition, preventive maintenance of the rubber drum rim will prevent an unpleasant odor from appearing.
Lemon juice or rosemary essential oil
For preventative purposes, once a week you can treat the gum with lemon juice or wipe with rosemary essential oil. This will prevent the growth of bacteria, which is what causes odors.
Vinegar
The following algorithm for dealing with mold inside the gum will help clean it without problems:
- Dilute table bite 9% with water 1:1.
- Pour the product inside the seal.
- Turn on intensive wash.
- After 15 minutes from the start of washing, pause for a couple of hours.
- After 2 hours, continue washing.
- At the very end, wipe dry and leave the door open.
This method is very effective against mold, but it cannot be used more than a couple of times a year, since acetic acid with frequent exposure can damage the properties of rubber.
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
If mold damage to the gum is extensive, you can use a solution of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
You will need 9% table vinegar and 3% peroxide.
- They must be mixed in equal proportions and pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray the composition onto the contaminated surface and walk over it with a rag.
- In the most problematic areas, it is necessary to spray generously and leave in this condition for 10 minutes.
- Then wipe with the abrasive side of the sponge. Wash off any remaining product with a cloth soaked in clean water.
Cleaning products
To effectively care for and combat the accumulation of dirt deposits, rust stains, and mold in the folds of the rubber seal, industrially produced chemicals and folk recipes are used.
Specialized
The range of universal cleaning compositions for the care of household appliances produced by the chemical industry is quite wide: Silit Bang, Bagi Anti-Mold, Pemolux, Domestos, Frau Schmidt and others.
These can be liquid substances, sprays, pastes, granules, powders or mixtures pressed into tablet form. The composition of liquid products and sprays contains surfactants to remove dirt, scale and fungus, and eliminate musty odors. Paste-like, powder and granular chemicals cope well with rusty deposits and mold, and prevent the appearance of sticky deposits.
Tableted concentrated substances with biocomponents and chloride compounds are intended for the effective removal of pathogenic microorganisms in the cavities of the rubber seal. Regular washing and disinfection of the rubber seal eliminates the specific odor.
Folk
The following folk remedies cope well with dirt and limescale deposits in the cavity of the drum gum:
- an aqueous solution of table vinegar in a ratio of 1/3 (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) washes the surface well from dirt;
- baking soda paste is used to cleanse heavy plaque and eliminate unpleasant odors;
- Citric acid effectively combats rust and harmful microflora;
- in the fight against mold and mildew on the surface of the gum, a solution prepared from dry boric acid powder (10 g per 0.5 liter of boiling water) is suitable;
- the growth of the fungus is neutralized by hydrogen peroxide and a solution of copper sulfate (20 g per 0.5 liter of boiling water);
- small concentrations of essential oils are effective in preventing the proliferation of microflora in the cavity of the rubber seal.
Getting rid of rust and scale
Nail polish remover
If rust stains are found on the drum sealing rubber, nail polish remover containing acetone can help get rid of them.
- Soak a cotton pad in the product and go over the surface, paying special attention to areas with rust.
- Leave the cotton pad soaked in the product on the rusty areas for 1 hour, then rinse the machine and wipe it dry.
Fabric softener
Fabric softeners are an excellent remedy for the smell that comes from the rim of the washing machine. Water the rim generously with rinse aid, leave it overnight, turn on the machine in the morning and rinse it. However, there is an opinion that if the rinse aid is not washed off properly, then a favorable environment may be created for the development of bacteria and fungi.
Prevention measures
It is not always possible to completely remove fungus from rubber bands. In some cases, microflora gets into the tray, pipes, drum and then it is almost impossible to deal with it. To avoid problems, follow the rules.
- If there is no washing, keep the door half open.
- Try to use less rinse aid.
- Wash once every two weeks at 90°C.
These tips will help extend the life of your washing machine and prevent the development of mold on parts.
Getting rid of plaque and mucus
Lemon acid
To clean the washing machine from plaque and mucus, you can use citric acid. To do this, you need to pour a couple of tablespoons of citric acid into the drum and turn on the washing mode at the highest temperature. It is important to carry out this procedure regularly, then the smell inside the machine will not appear at all, and scale, plaque and rust will not form.
Dishwasher detergent
It is also possible to use special tablets for dishwashers to remove limescale deposits. To do this, 5 pieces of tablets are loaded into the drum and also turned on to the longest and highest temperature washing mode.
Monarda extract
An excellent remedy for plaque and mucus on the rubber seal of a washing machine is monarda extract. Sold in any pharmacy.
- The extract is diluted in water: 200 ml of water per 15 ml of extract (it will be more convenient if the resulting composition is poured into a spray bottle).
- Apply the product evenly to the dirty surface and leave for a few minutes.
- Then we start the washing mode at 90 -95 degrees.
- After finishing washing, leave the washing machine door open for free air access.
How to prevent mold stains from appearing?
The washing machine is cleaned of harmful microorganisms, but if not used correctly, mold and mildew can return.
To prevent this, you should follow a few useful tips:
- Even if the washing machine drain is working properly, after washing the surface of the drum should be wiped dry with a dry cloth. Excess moisture not only leads to mold, but also shortens the service life of metal parts.
The ideal condition for the appearance of microorganisms is leaving wet laundry for an hour or two. To avoid this, laundry should be collected immediately after washing.- Do not leave water in the powder and bleach tray. After washing, take out the tray and wipe it dry with a cloth.
- The filter of the washing machine must be changed according to the instruction manual for the household appliance. A minimal delay will create favorable conditions for mold to grow.
- Periodic maintenance is a prerequisite for long-term operation of a washing machine. Therefore, 2-3 times a month you should wash your clothes at the maximum temperature setting.
Even if there is no mold on the rubber drum seal and other parts of the washer, it is necessary to wash it with citric acid and vinegar every six months.
This will help remove the breeding ground for harmful microorganisms , as well as clean all surfaces of the household appliance from scale and other deposits.
