Scale in the washing machine

The main reason for the formation of scale is hard water. Tough it becomes because of the dissolved in itsalts (mostly magnesium and calcium salts). When heated, these salts decompose into carbon dioxide and an insoluble precipitate - actually scum. Scale impairs the thermal conductivity of the heater, which ultimately leads to its breakdown.

How to remove scale in the washing machine? The first to come to mind are the descaling agents sold in household chemical shops. And here, many mistresses make the mistake of confusing the means for descaling and means for softening the water. The advertised powders that are added to the machine during washing the laundry do not remove the scum, their task is to soften the water and prevent or at least slow down the further formation of scale.

A means for removing scale (antinakipin) is designed to remove scale in the washing machine. When it is used, the washing machine is switched on for washing without laundry, running the wash cycle "idle". Antinakipin contains acids, which when heated by water enter with a scum in a chemical reaction. This allows you to clean the heater and the tank wall of the machine from the formed scale.

This method of descaling is simple and inexpensive. He also has a drawback: If you use too much aids, the acid can damage the rubber parts of the washing machine, which is fraught with leaks. That is why it is undesirable to use vinegar instead of special means. If you really need to find a household replacement for antiknakinu, it is better to use citric acid in moderate amounts.

Perhaps this is the only reliable way to remove scale in the washing machine, but too often it can not be used: the permanent effect of acid adversely affects rubber parts. In addition, if the scale is too much, it can fall off in large pieces and damage the machine parts.

In no case should you try to remove the scum by mechanical means, say, using nazhdachki or file! If the heater is covered with scum very strongly, it is better to call a professional washing machine repairman who will clean the heater for you.

As you can see, it's better not to pull until you need to remove the scale, and do preventive work. Prevention consists of two main points: reducing water hardness and preventing scale build-up.

To reduce the hardness of water, the above-mentioned water softeners. Their effectiveness depends on various factors,It is important not only the quality of the softener itself, but also the level of water hardness specifically in your region. The catch is that they work only at high temperatures, but you do not always erase at the maximum temperature regime?

Therefore, you can use magnetic softener. Its task is to remove magnesium and calcium from the water. Strong permanent magnets split the molecules of salts forming scales into ions, as a result, when water is heated, scale is not formed - simply nothing. If you use the softener regularly, you can even remove some of the already formed scale.

This method is simple and convenient: it is enough to install a magnetic softener, and you can not think about the hardness of the water. The lack of a softener is its high cost. It is best to use a softener in conjunction with filter of mechanical water treatment. The filter of mechanical salt cleaning, of course, does not remove, but it purifies the water of rust and sand, which accelerate the process of scale formation.

Finally, it is worth remembering that The higher the water temperature during washing, the more intense the scaling is in the washing machine. Therefore it is very desirable to choosemainly low-temperature washing regimes (the formation of scale begins at a temperature of about 75 degrees, so it is worth choosing a wash at a temperature of 40-50 degrees). In modern washing machines, even low-temperature mode allows you to successfully wash clothes, besides, washing at low temperatures saves energy.

Scale in a washing machine is a fairly common problem. If you do not want to replace the heater sooner than before, take care of water softening and regularly (for example, every six months) use antiknakin if there is such a need.