Cleaning element and method for cleaning a washing machine

Abstract

A cleaning element 101 for cleaning a washing drum 3 of a washing machine 1 and an inside 5 a of a drum housing 5 of a washing machine 1 , has a box 103 which is provided with holes on at least one side 103 a , as well as a sponge present in the box 103 . The box 103 is provided with magnets with which the cleaning element 101 can be secured against the inside of the cylinder wall 3 a of the washing drum 3 . The sponge is configured such that during centrifugation absorbed cleaning liquid is thrown out from the sponge through the holes in the box 103 against the inside 5 a of the drum housing 5 . This not only cleans well the washing drum 3 but also the inside 5 a of the drum housing 5.

1 . Cleaning element for cleaning a washing drum of a washing machine, and an inside of a drum housing of a washing machine in which the washing drum is rotatable, comprising:
 a box that is provided with holes on at least one side, as well as   cleaning liquid absorbing means contained in the box, and   securing means for securing the cleaning element against the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum,   wherein the securing means are configured such that the box with the side provided with holes is against or near the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum, and   wherein the cleaning liquid absorbing means are configured such that during centrifugation absorbed cleaning liquid is ejected from the cleaning liquid absorbing means through the holes in the box.   
     
     
         2 . Cleaning element according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning liquid absorbing means comprise a sponge. 
     
     
         3 . Cleaning element according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprise magnets attached to the box. 
     
     
         4 . Cleaning element according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning liquid absorbing means contain cleaning liquid. 
     
     
         5 . Cleaning element according to  claim 1 , where in addition to the side provided with holes, at least the opposite side of the box is also provided with holes. 
     
     
         6 . Cleaning element according to  claim 5 , wherein all sides of the box are provided with holes. 
     
     
         7 . Assembly of a washing machine and at least one cleaning element, which washing machine comprises:
 a drum housing provided with an opening closed by a door for inserting and removing laundry,   a washing drum that can be rotated in the drum housing and is provided with a perforated cylinder wall,   a drive, for rotating the washing drum,   a detergent dosing unit,   a control unit for controlling the drive of the washing drum and for controlling the detergent dosing unit according to pre-programmed washing programs, and   selection means for selecting one of the washing programs, wherein the cleaning element is a cleaning element according to  claim 1  and is configured to be fitted against the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum.   
     
     
         8 . Assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning element is arranged against the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum. 
     
     
         9 . Assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the washing machine comprises at least two and preferably at least three cleaning elements which are evenly distributed over the circumference of the cylinder wall arranged against the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum. 
     
     
         10 . Method for cleaning a washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein cleaning liquid is placed in the detergent dosing unit or in the cleaning element or cleaning elements and the cleaning element is or cleaning elements are arranged against the inside of the cylinder wall of the washing drum, after which a washing program containing a centrifugation program is selected and executed.