Drum cleaning mode in the LG washing machine: what is it, how to turn it on and use it?
The drum is an element of the internal structure of the washing machine that requires special care. It is on its walls that particles of detergents, grease, dirt, hairs and other debris accumulate.
In addition, with regular use (at least one wash every three days), the moisture simply does not have time to completely evaporate from the drum, which leads to the appearance of an unpleasant putrid odor.
Regular cleaning of the drum will help prevent the development of mold and mildew, maintain the quality of washing, and extend the life of your LG washing machine.
Content
What is this function of the LG washing machine?
Along with dirty clothes and linen, sand, lint, and threads get into the drum of the washing machine; hard tap water covers the stainless steel walls with a layer of scale.
The self-cleaning function helps to quickly and efficiently clean the inner surface of this element. This is a special program that automatically runs a full wash cycle at idle speed. (without loading dirty laundry). The result is a completely clean drum interior.
How does it work?
A special built-in cleaning function is designed in such a way as to carefully and efficiently restore shine and remove adhering particles of hair, lint, detergents, and scale from the inner surface of the drum.
What does this mode mean and how does it work:
The pre-wash mode starts first (at this stage, large particles of debris, hair, and lint are washed off the walls).- The second step is the main wash (designed to more thoroughly clean the inner surface of the drum from small particles of dirt and dust). The main wash mode runs at a water temperature of 60°C.
- The final stage is spinning (removing dirty water) and double rinsing (helps to achieve ideal cleanliness of stainless steel surfaces).
Cleaning is carried out without using any detergents. Failure to comply with this condition leads to excessive foam formation, which can cause the washing machine to freeze.
Instructions for use
Starting the mode is simple:
- we pull dirty things out through the hatch (cleaning is carried out with an empty drum);
- close the hatch door of the washing machine;
- turn on the household appliance, press the “Start” button, wait for the sound signal;
- press and hold two buttons with “*” (located on the control panel) for a few seconds;
- Press the “Start” button again (thereby activating the cleaning mode).
How to enable the drum cleaning function in an LG washing machine, video instruction:
Is it available on all models?
Unfortunately, not all LG washing machine models are equipped with a drum cleaning function.The button with “*” located on the control panel will help you understand whether a particular washing machine has such a program.
Most popular models LG washing machines equipped with a self-cleaning mode:
- LG F-1296ND3 (due to the removable cover, the washing machine can be built in).
- LG F-10B8ND (in addition to the drum cleaning function, it is equipped with a Smart Diagnosis system and protection against leaks).
- LG F1048ND (narrow model equipped with nine washing modes and twenty-two additional options).
- LG F1280NDS (narrow model equipped with a steam function and a hypoallergenic washing mode).
Alternative methods
In a situation where the washing machine is not equipped with a self-cleaning function, the means available to everyone will help restore the cleanliness and freshness of the inner surface of the drum.
Baking soda
Soda is a mild abrasive that perfectly cleans surfaces of dirt.
Algorithm of actions:
- The walls of the drum are moistened with water.
- A damp sponge is dipped in dry baking soda powder, and then the contaminated surfaces are wiped.
- after thirty minutes, wash off the soda paste (start the rinse mode).
Instead of baking soda, you can use soda ash.
White
The chlorine-containing product Belizna will help not only clean, but also disinfect the walls of the drum.
How to clean:
- In a glass container, mix Belize and clean water in equal proportions.
- The resulting liquid is poured into the powder receptacle compartment intended for the main wash.
- Start the “Cotton” washing mode at a temperature of 90°C. Additionally, set the double rinse mode.
- At the end of the wash, the hatch door must be opened and left for ventilation.
Lemon acid
Citric acid will help remove a layer of scale and dirt and eliminate unpleasant odors from the drum.
Algorithm of actions:
- dry citric acid powder is poured into the main wash compartment of the powder receptacle;
- start washing on the “Cotton” mode at a temperature of 60°C, with a double rinse option;
- After the washing is completed, open the hatch door and remove particles of undissolved citric acid from the rubber cuff with a soft sponge.
The amount of citric acid is calculated depending on the capacity of the drum. With a volume of up to 4 kg, 60 g of citric acid is enough for high-quality cleaning; for tanks with a volume of over 4 kg, 100 g of dry powder is enough.
Features of using special cleaning products
On the shelves of hardware stores there is a wide range of household chemicals that effectively clean the internal surfaces of the washing machine elements.
In tablets or in the form of a liquid substance, regardless of the form of release, household chemicals are loaded into the powder tray for the main wash.
Then the washing machine is started in the longest washing mode, at a temperature of 60°C.
Before using any special washing machine cleaning product, you must read the instructions very carefully. This is especially true for highly concentrated gels (the dosage should be calculated strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions).
It is not recommended to load household chemicals directly into the drum washing machine. Failure to comply with the rules and recommendations specified in the instructions may cause malfunctions of the household appliance.
What's better?
When choosing between using the automatic cleaning mode and alternative (improvised, store-bought) means, you need to analyze the pros and cons of each method.
So, using improvised products or store-bought compounds will help restore cleanliness and freshness to the walls of the drum, regardless of whether the washing machine is equipped with a self-cleaning mode or not.
Available products (soda, citric acid) are absolutely harmless to health. and are as affordable as possible. The only negative that may affect the choice is that using an excessive amount of cleaning agent can destroy the rubber seal around the hatch and dull the gloss of the drum walls.
Adviсe
Before starting the automatic cleaning mode, it is a good idea to inspect for blockages and, if necessary, clean the drain hose and filter.
Complete cleaning of the drum requires additional cleaning of the elements in contact with it. Same with the drum clean the rubber seal of the hatch from dirt and soap deposits.
Wipe the cuff on all sides with a soft sponge. A toothbrush will help clean hard-to-reach places.
Alternating cleaning with professional and folk remedies will help you achieve the best results - a perfectly clean drum and adjacent elements of the washing machine.
Conclusion
Regular cleaning of the drum will prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors, preserve the freshness of washed clothes, and extend the life of the trouble-free operation of the washing machine.
