Our homes’ appliances need just as much care as our homes themselves. It’s easy to become lost in the chaos of every-day life and forget to stop and conduct proper maintenance on home appliances. The appliances that we use the most and take on the most stress are the ones to focus on first.
Washing machine maintenance is essential because you’re most likely washing several loads of clothes a week. If you never stop to properly clean and maintain the washing machine, then it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong.
How do you maintain a washing machine? We’re here to help.
Before your washing machine starts showing signs of trouble, continue reading below. Here’s everything you need to know about washer machine maintenance.
Table of Contents
1. Leave It Open After Each Wash
Have you noticed a stinky smell coming from the inside of the washing machine? Are you smacked in the face each time you open the washer to throw in a load of clothes?
A smelly washer machine could be due to moisture not having an escape when the wash cycle is complete. A great tip to keep in mind is to leave your washing machine door open after each use. Rather than shutting the machine when done, leave it open and allow it to air out.
As long as the machine has airflow, all of the moisture left inside from the last wash can dry out quickly and prevent moldy or musty smells.
2. Check the Hoses for Damage
When’s the last time you checked the hoses connected to the wall from your washer machine? It’s essential that you take a few moments each month to stop and give them a quick inspection.
These hoses can crack, bulge, or leak over time. If you notice any of these signs of damages or wear and tear, then you should replace the hoses as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late to have them replaced.
As a proactive measure, you can replace the hoses every 3-5 years. This will give you some peace of mind, knowing that the hoses are new and won’t give you any problems.
If you’re concerned about making washing machine repairs or replacements on your own, then don’t hesitate to contact the professionals.
3. Use the Right Kind and Amount of Detergent
Not all detergents can be used in any washer machine. Some washer machines require a specific type of detergent or a detergent that’s a low-sudsing kind.
Failure to follow the detergent directions given on your machine or in the machine’s manual can lead to washer machine problems.
You also need to take notice of how much detergent you’re using with each load. If you use too much detergent, then the soap residue can be left behind inside the washer and create issues. When using pods or liquid, be sure to follow the instructions rather than dumping a ton of detergent inside.
4. Load Evenly and Without Overdoing It
When you’re ready to load up the washing machine, you don’t want to just throw everything and anything inside it. Follow the washer machine’s guidelines and only put in a number of clothes it can handle. If you overdo it, you could cause the washer to malfunction.
When you’re loading in the clothes, spread the clothes out evenly. Have you ever heard your washing machine banging around on the floor moving from side to side? It creates a rather loud noise when the clothes are uneven because the washer machine will begin to sway from side to side during the wash and rinse cycle.
When washing specific and unusual items such as floor mats, bed comforters, or something else, wash these items alone. If you try to wash them with other blankets, items, or clothes, you could easily overdo it and place too much weight and stress on the washer.
5. Clean It Out Every so Often
The idea of cleaning something that cleans other things might not make much sense. It’s a washing machine, it’s clean, right? Although your washing machine might not get as dirty as your garbage disposal, it still builds up residue over time.
Think about all of the dirt, grease, sand, lint, and other things that come off of your clothes when you wash them. All of this stuff is being washed and rinsed through the washing machine. After a while, it’ll need cleaning.
There’s a commercial washing machine cleaner you can buy at the store, or you can use a mixture of 1/2 a cup of baking soda mixed with 3 cups of vinegar. Place the solution in the washing machine and run a wash cycle with no clothes or anything else inside.
This is a great way to flush out the washing machine and clear it of any built-up dirt, lint, and other debris. You should also take a cloth with cleaner on it and wipe out the inside and the outside of the machine. Try to clean it at least once every month for the best results.
Keep These Washing Machine Maintenance Tips Handy
If you own a washing machine, then you’ll want to keep these washing machine maintenance tips handy at all times. A great idea is to print out this guide and post it in your laundry room near your washer machine. This way, you’ll never question how to properly maintain your washer.
If you’re interested in other posts with topics similar to this one or a variety of different topics as well, then be sure to visit our page on a regular basis!
