Miele Washer Cleaning?

[labboy]

Really loving the Miele washer. Even though it’s on 120 VAC and uses a decent amount of water, it heats water quickly and maintains the temperatures nicely.

The manual suggests running a hot cycle periodically for cleaning. There is also a settings feature to remind you to run a hot cycle after a certain number of cycles. Other than that, there is no mention of doing routine cleaning. We are in San Diego and the water is very hard. Any suggestions about how often to periodically descale? I used to do it every other month on our LG. (I’d alternate bleach one month for cleaning then the next month use citric acid granules for cleaning.)

We are not using bleach in the Miele. Should I just run a Sanitary cycle with citric acid for cleaning / descale?

Bob

 

[launderess]

See:

Also:

And also:

Though many believe and do otherwise am not a fan of using either vinegar nor citric acid straight in washing machines. One or both can harm rubber components inside machine. Purpose descaling products usually are a blend of acids (formic, citric, etc...) but also other substances to buffer said acids so no harm comes to machine.

https://www.bosch-home.com/us/owner-support/get-support/support-selfhelp-descale-washing-machine

Just ones two pence, do with that what one will....

Need for maintenance washes per se can be greatly reduced or eliminated all together by doing routine wash loads with a good powdered detergent that contains oxygen bleach at temps between 140F to 200F.

Tide washing machine cleaner in common with most others is really just powdered detergent with bit of activated oxygen bleach.

"Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, TAED, Water, Zeolite, Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid, Polyacrylic Acid Sodium Bisulfite Terminated, Sodium Silicate, Sodium C12-18 Alkyl Sulfate, Laureth-10, Cellulose Gum, C10-16 Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid deriv., Fragrance, Pigment Blue 15. Contains Fragrance Allergens."

https://www.google.com/search?clien...+ingredients&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Unlike liquid format products powdered laundry detergents contain washing soda and other alkaline substances that break down grease, oil and such muck. Addition of oxygen bleach helps kill germs, moulds and such while "sanitizing" washing machine.

For ages when powdered detergents (usually with oxygen bleaching systems) were all that one found in Europe (land of front loaders) no on heard of nor bothered with "cleaning washing machines". Between use of powders and frequent hot or boil washes there wasn't any need to bother.

It's only be of late with rise of low temperature washing coupled with liquid products and or less to nil use of bleach that now "dirty" and "smelly" washing machines have become an issue.

 

[labboy]

Thank you Launderess!!

Bob

 

[logixx]

"am not a fan of using either vinegar nor citric acid straight in washing machines."

Miele Washer and Dishwasher Descaler: pure citric acid.

Like Launderess said, proper usage will make cleaning cycle unnecessary. Have never run one in 12 years. In face, my Duet doesn't even have one.

 

[foraloysius]

Citric acid is much milder than vinegar. A lot of coffee makers come with a warning in the manual not to use vinegar, but never with a warning for citric acid. I have always had great results with citric acid.

 

[launderess]

There's always Calgon! *LOL*

https://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Hygiene-Washing-Machine-Softener/dp/B08MV7HCZS?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Tablets-Pack-of-75/dp/B0082AK2C6

But see also:

https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/is...oftens the water,full dose of detergent alone.









There is a huge debate in Europe about just how useful Calgon or similar anti-scale products truly are, this and or if one need bother at all.

Called "water softeners" in USA all detergents for laundry, dishwashing and so on contain one or more substances to deal with water hardness.

Original and still sworn to by many are phosphates: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_triphosphate

 

[jerrod_six]

I have the Miele washer/dishwasher cleaner, mostly citric acid combined with something else. I use 1 tablespoon of this cleaner, plus 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid, and run the clean machine program. I use this program because, during the last 30 minutes, the machine will create steam that permeates into the dispenser cup chamber. I run the clean machine program every couple of months.

Beyond this the instruction manual suggests you wipe down the door boot, take the dispenser cup entirely out and wipe the dispenser bay dry after using the machine. I do this after each wash day to prevent mold build-up in the dispenser area.

No problems with smells or mold.

 

[DADoES]

 
Duet cleaning cycle ... some models have a hidden cleaning cycle described in the User Guide and on the Tech Sheet.

 

[logixx]

Duet cleaning cycle

My model is one made for Europe: different programming and no tech sheet.

 

[chachp]

Miele Cleaning Cycle

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I use the Sanitary cycle at least once a week for cleaning cloths, etc.  I do a number of 140 degree washes per week and maybe one or two cold water washes.  I don't do any real maintenance to the machine other than cleaning out the soap dispenser tray after each days use and I run the cleaning cycle about once a month to be on the safe side.  We have soft water so I think what I am doing should suffice.  I do need to go back and check the manual because I thought my machine said to run the cleaning cycle without adding any product.  I may be imagining that.</span>