Think Fabric Softener Helps Your Laundry? It Could Be Damaging Your Washing Machine
Many washing machine malfunctions in Israel are not related to the machine’s age, but to the stylish bottle sitting in your utility cabinet. The addictive scent makes us pour in more and more fabric softener, without realizing that with every wash we are clogging the system and shortening the machine’s lifespan. Here is the truth technicians would rather not tell you, and the simple way to clean up the damage in an instant.
The hidden grease trap
Fabric softener, by its nature, is based on animal or vegetable fats and silicones whose job is to coat the garment fibers. The problem begins when that grease is not completely washed away. In lukewarm or cold water, which are the programs most of us use every day, the grease simply solidifies and sticks to the walls of the pipes, the drum and the detergent drawer. Over time, that layer becomes a warm breeding ground for bacteria, mold and bad odors, which explains why sometimes clothes come out of the machine smelling musty instead of clean.
The Chinese trick, a miracle wash for just a few shekels
To dissolve this stubborn grease layer, you do not need expensive products and you do not need to take the machine apart. All you need is one simple package of citric acid, which can be found in any grocery store for just a few shekels. Pour the citric acid directly into the empty drum of the machine. Set the machine to a long 90 degree program, or the hottest program you have, and run it completely empty of clothes. The boiling water, combined with the acidity of the citric acid, dissolves all the remaining fabric softener and accumulated limescale, and flushes it out through the drain pipe. When the cycle is over, the machine will smell like it did the day you bought it.
Important warning, do not overdo it with vinegar
There are many tips online that recommend using regular household vinegar instead of fabric softener or for regular cleaning of the machine. Vinegar is indeed a natural and excellent cleaning agent, but using it too often and in excessive amounts can end up costing you dearly. The acidity of vinegar can be aggressive over time for some of the delicate rubber parts inside the machine. Frequent use of vinegar, or leaving it at a high concentration inside the system, gradually wears down the sealing gaskets and the internal hoses, which eventually leads to serious water leaks. Want to use vinegar? Do so very sparingly, or simply stick to citric acid once every two months, it does the thorough cleaning job safely and without unnecessary risks.
