10 Important Washing Machine Maintenance Tips Leave a comment

10 Important Washing Machine Maintenance Tips: Many people depend on their washing machine to do the laborious task of laundering their garments.

And make no mistake, these durable machines have made life a bit easier for us as they tackle dirt on shirts, trousers, tops, skirts, towels, bedsheets, and even curtains.

The least we can do to reward the washing appliance is to keep it running in good condition. Thus, periodic washing machine maintenance does a good job of helping prolong the lifespan of these machines.

The good news is, you’ll likely not be needing a specialist before you run a maintenance service on your washing appliance.

10 Important Washing Machine Maintenance Tips

Below are some important washing machine maintenance tips that’ll help massively in giving your appliance that much-needed TLC.

1. Clean the Rubber Gasket

This part of your washing appliance is very important and it is rather unfortunate that it is a section that often suffers more from wear and tear.

The rubber gasket is a part of the appliance that covers the washer-dryers’ edges and keeps your garments protected from damage.

Both top-load and front-load washing machines have rubber gaskets that get affected by the build-up of dust particles each time the door is opened.

The particles often gather around the edges or the sides of the gasket. Aside from dust particles, detergents and softener particles also leave residues on the gasket.

Because the gasket is located outside the tub, it is always subjected to frequent spills yet remains unclean as we often tend to overlook it.

This is a major reason why we need to take out time to clean the rubber gasket routinely. You can do this weekly using a clean damp cloth.

2. Deep Cleaning

Many folks often expect their washing appliances to deliver optimally with every usage. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as washing machine problems tend to occur.

When these start to happen, the washer gradually begins to lose its efficiency over a period. You may notice this when you realize your clothing items do not come out as clean as they used to when you just bought the appliance newly.

The reason why this happens is connected to the scaling that occurs as a result of the micro-residuals present in the water.

This can be a big issue in regions where they have hard water. If you find yourself in this scenario, then we advise that you deep clean your washing machine a bit more.

Make use of a tough machine cleaner that can easily remove the scaling without destroying the metal and plastic components of the washer.

3. Protect from Spillage

Washers tend to build up residues from detergent spillage. It doesn’t matter if you utilize the best detergents in the market.

Residues from detergents over time become sticky and start emitting a bad odor. Unless the smell is a turn-on for you, you’ll definitely be thinking of how to get rid of it.

Evict that sticky residue by wiping it off with a mild dishwashing cleaner. In addition, remember to clean the inside of the drum using a damp cloth.

The drum also builds lint, detergent, and residue after a while and thus, has to be cleaned thoroughly as well.

4. Clean the Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers

Unlike semi-automatic washers, automatic washing machines come with separate compartments for detergent and fabric softeners.

The appliance works by automatically mixing these substances with water and pouring them into the tub.

Now, this process makes the washing process quite simple as you don’t have to wait for the detergent to mingle with the water before tossing in your garments.

However, when you use these compartments over a period without cleaning them properly, foreign bodies like bacteria and other concentrated toxic elements may build up in them.

They’re usually visible, appearing as a transparent or sometimes green texture that feels grimy when touched.

You wouldn’t want your beautiful clothing to be washed in the extract of this harmful bacterial build-up. Clean the dispensers regularly to avoid these issues.

5. Protect the Finish

No doubt, you’ll agree with us that clean home appliances or new-looking electronics help enhance the appearance of your apartment.

Old, visibly worn-out appliances on the other hand do not add any aesthetic value to your home. That is why you should take some time to clean the exterior of your washing machine.

Oftentimes, front-load washing machines are the victims of neglect from their owners. Their plain top surface is open for every particle and assortments to gather on them.

Only a handful of people remember that despite being a bulky piece of equipment, the washing machine is delicate and also needs proper care both in its appearance and working components.

Routinely clean the top and sides of your washer using a mild glass cleaner so it doesn’t damage the finish.

The best way to keep your washing appliance looking bright for a long period is by maintaining its pre-installed factory finish.

Additionally, avoid placing and keeping heavy items on the top of the machine. And when it is not in use, keep it covered to prevent stains and scratches from developing on its surfaces.

6. Clean the Filter

Automatic washing machines are not the only models that require unique attention in terms of maintenance.

Semi-automatic washers come with a lint filter within the washing tub. The filter helps extract and collect lint and other dirt particles from clothes during the washing process.

This is why the filter needs to be cleaned periodically too. If left uncleaned, once the filter gets full, it will be unable to collect more debris and thus, leave them in the water.

The bad news is, the debris will latch onto your garments staining them, and also build up in the machine as well.

This can result in a reduction In your washing machine’s efficiency and performance. Worst-case scenario, it could significantly destroy the pulsator or agitator as well.

Imagine letting such a small thing as a lint filter damage your washing appliance. That’s why you need to regularly take it out and clean it at least once monthly.

7. Choose the Right Detergent

Note that there are washing machine-specific detergents you should use with your appliance during the wash cycle.

However, you may also use regular detergents. But the point to note is that some detergents may be too harsh or come loaded with heavy alkaline in nature.

This can damage not only your clothes but also the machine components. So, always carefully consider the type of detergent you pair with your washing machine.

8. Leave the Door Open

Immediately after using the washing appliance, the expected thing to do would be to close its door, right?

Well, if you do that often, you’ll be leaving moisture in the compartment which can lead to a build-up of mold.

By leaving the washing machine door open for about 30 minutes right after a wash cycle, air will circulate within the unit and help dry the tub, hence protecting the delicate parts of the appliance from damage as a result of moisture.

You can also use a thick, clean, dry towel to wipe off the moisture 15 minutes after doing the laundry to help it dry faster.

9. Keep Checking the Hoses

You’ll want the flow of water both to and from your washing appliance to run smoothly. That’s why it is important to keep an eye on the washing machine’s hoses.

Both automatic and semi-automatic washing machines come with inlet and outlet hoses. Check the hoses to be sure the inlets are well-connected to the water source.

Also, observe the hoses carefully to make sure they have no leaks or cracks. This will greatly prevent water wastage.  

Furthermore, consider checking the condition of the outlet or drain hose over time. The reason is that since it primarily takes out the dirty water from the machine, lint and micro fabric particles tend to build up in the drain filter, thus, blocking the pipe.

You can call in a skilled technician to help clear off any blockages or replace the drainpipe with a new one.

10. Use the Appliance Carefully

You may have a washer with a high washing capacity as well as a powerful motor, however, it is still a rather delicate piece of equipment.

It needs to be operated carefully and has to be cared for regularly. One of the things you should stop doing is stuffing garments into the appliance.

It isn’t a travel bag where you are allowed to overload it with more stuff than its intended capacity.

Overloading your washing machine will hamper its rotation which will negatively impact the drum’s circular movement.

Thus, your clothes will come out only partially cleaned. Aside from that, your machine’s motor can get damaged as well.

Only load your washer with the right amount of clothing items or weight as indicated in the instructions in the manual.

If the manual is unavailable, then you should probably look up the information on the manufacturer’s website or get in touch with their customer support.

List above are some important washing machine maintenance tips that’ll help massively in giving your appliance that much-needed TLC. Which ones are most important to you?