Buzz
Maintaining the washing machine drum cleanliness is essential to eliminate harmful bacteria, residue, and fabric lint, ensuring the machine's longevity and durability.
1. Why is it crucial to use the washing machine drum cleaning mode regularly?
Ensuring the longevity and durability of the machine involves regular use of the washing machine drum cleaning mode to eliminate harmful bacteria, residue, and fabric lint.
The washing machine drum consists of two layers: the inner layer is made of stainless steel with small holes, where clothes are placed, and the outer layer surrounding it is made of plastic. During operation, both layers get wet. After the washing process, the steel layer is dried through high-speed centrifugal spinning, and water drains through the holes. The outer plastic layer remains wet. Dirt, detergent residue, fabric fibers, hair, and lint flow down to the filter, but some stick to the washing drum and other parts like the detergent tray and fabric softener compartment. Over time, they accumulate, forming clusters that harbor harmful bacteria, making washed clothes lose color, develop unpleasant odors, and even cause itching and allergies to the skin.
The Cleaning Mode for the washing drum is recommended to be used once a month. Photo: Bao Lam.
The washing machine drum cleaning mode effectively removes stains and buildup. Typically, many front-loading washing machines are equipped with this feature due to their design, which prevents the drum from being fully submerged in water, leaving certain parts constantly exposed, making it easy for bacteria to thrive.
How the drum cleaning mode operates
When activated, this mode controls the drum to spin at high speed, pushing water to a large level with strong pressure to clean any stains or buildup on the drum's walls. The dirt is then flushed away with the water flow into the drainage pipe. With many new-generation premium models, manufacturers also incorporate the use of hot water at 60 - 100 degrees Celsius to eliminate various harmful bacteria.
To enhance effectiveness, experts suggest users can use cleaning tablets or powder to assist in washing machine maintenance. However, they primarily have limited effects, such as odor removal and aiding in cleaning when combined with regular washing machine cleaning routines. For older or seldom-cleaned washing machines, these products may not be as effective.
For machines without this feature, mainly top-loading machines, users can still utilize the soaking function as an alternative by setting the highest water level, appropriate water source, and temperature, then proceeding with the normal wash cycle.
Experts recommend activating the drum cleaning mode on the washing machine once a month for optimal effectiveness, preferably on days off or weekends due to the extended operation time (over 2 hours). Additionally, users should regularly wipe the washing machine door, especially the rubber gasket, and clean detergent trays to maximize efficiency.
