Poor quality tap water is the worst enemy of washing machines. The content in it of a large amount of calcium and magnesium salts, as well as other impurities (sand, rust) contributes to the clogging of internal mechanisms and the formation of calcareous deposits on important sites of SMA. To prevent premature wear of the equipment, it is necessary to eliminate the problem in a timely manner. A logical question arises: how to soften the water and how to clean it? In this case, a household filter to soften the water in the washing machine will become an indispensable tool as a cleaning device. How to choose the right one from the many existing ones, we will describe in this article.
Why do I need a filter
Filtering devices for automatic machines are used in two cases:
- with increased water hardness;
- in the presence of a large number of small particles of dirt, rust, sand in it.
When they talk about excessive hardness of water, they mean an increased level of calcium and magnesium bicarbonates in it, with which it “saturates”, passing through underground sources (wells, wells). When heated, the salts crystallize, forming a calcareous crust (scale) on the SMA elements. The consequences of such formations are obvious - premature wear of important mechanisms (heating element, electromagnetic valve).
Mechanical impurities also negatively affect the operation of the machine. They clog its internal parts, and also significantly reduce the quality of the wash itself.
Therefore, the softening and purification of incoming water flows is the main procedure in the comprehensive care of the equipment, which household filtering devices can do perfectly.
What types of filters exist
All cleaners for automatic machines vary in form, method of cleaning, type of installation. Distinguish these types of cleaning devices:
- polyphosphate, or salt;
- trunk;
- magnetic;
- coarse filters.
To understand which version of the device will be most effective for a specific situation, we will consider them in more detail.
Polyphosphate, or salt, softeners
Their design is a transparent plastic flask filled with a reagent - food grade sodium polyphosphate. The principle of action is a chemical reaction that occurs when polyphosphate salts are dissolved in a liquid passing through a filter flask. This contributes to the formation of a protective film that binds hardness salts and “blocks” their path to the most vulnerable parts of the SMA.
Salt softeners must not be installed on a common water supply. The liquid after polyphosphate filtration will become technical, and therefore unfit for drinking.
Polyphosphate devices are easy to install and operate, so users often opt for them. They are installed in the inlet hose, directly in front of the automatic machine. And their operation consists only in a timely change of filtering backfill.
Main Purifiers
Devices of this type are installed on a common water supply, as they are designed to purify all water flows in the house. Water after this cleaning method can be used both for washing and for drinking. But it is necessary to take into account the fact that it is cleaned only of fine sand, rust and other dirt, but does not soften in any way (its chemical composition remains unchanged). Its operation is the timely replacement of the cartridge.
The video below provides visual instructions for installing the main cleaner
Magnetic softeners
The principle of operation of this reagent-free softener is based on the effect of a magnetic field on ions of hardness salts. That is, the magnet changes the water structure at the molecular level, converting calcite (calcium carbonate) to aragonite (the same calcium carbonate, only in a different crystalline form). After such a transformation, chains of calcite particles, which in their natural state are connected to each other, break and, therefore, lose the former properties of the formation of sediment on the nodes of the MCA.
Magnetic softeners are installed in the inlet hose in front of the equipment itself (the closer to it, the better).
Coarse (deep) filters
A device of this type performs the same functions as the main one, that is, it is a cleaner. It is installed in the same place as polyphosphate devices, - exclusively in front of the machine-machine. Despite the low cost, as well as the simple installation, the filter has a significant drawback - it quickly clogs with garbage. Therefore, it is often necessary to clean it.
In addition to household softeners, other hard water products are used - powders of the Kalgon type and the like. They need to be added directly to the solution to the detergent, preferably with each wash, and this is not always financially beneficial. Yes, and aggressive acids, which are part of most of them, eventually destroy the plastic and rubber parts of SMA. Therefore, if you choose between a household filter and household chemicals, the first option will be safer for the washing machine and more economical for its user.
Conclusion
Knowing everything about how to soften the water and how to clean it, there will be no difficulties in choosing the right device. Before buying, it is better, of course, to conduct a laboratory analysis to find out all the "water problems". If this option is not possible, it is recommended to use two filters at the same time: one for mechanical cleaning (main), the other for reducing the hardness level (polyphosphate). Such an integrated approach to solving the problem will certainly give positive results and significantly extend the life of the machine.