Any type of machinery requires regular cleaning and maintenance for longer life. This implies that if we follow certain steps and procedures daily, it will ensure its effective functioning for a longer period.
Washing machines simplify our lives. Gone are those days when people used to clean clothes with their hands. Now, almost every household has a washing machine to do that task. And it’s much easier too. Whether it is your regular t-shirts or party wear, or even curtains and bedsheets, this innovative technology can easily take care of it all. However, your washing machine also needs proper care, and that is why it is important to also take good care of it. This is where you can turn to a washing machine cleaning service or washing maintenance.
Many of us tend to assume that a washing machine can self-maintain as it is a “cleaning machine” by itself, i.e., it cleans almost everything – from our daily clothes to curtains, bedsheets and even blankets. However, no matter how great the model is, it does require adequate servicing regularly as it will not only extend its life but also help us save money on repairs while continuing to wash the clothes efficiently.
Periodically hiring a washing machine cleaner service or a washing machine repair and maintenance service company can help us with the adequate maintenance of our machine. If we learn how to clean a washing machine at our home, it will save a lot of external maintenance costs in the future.
Keeping the washing machine well-maintained can increase its life and save you from plenty of repair costs. The best part is that many of these steps can be easily done at home.
Before we move ahead, here is a thing you must know–you should not keep your clothes for too long in the machine and must not overfill the washing machine as well. Taking small steps in washing machine maintenance can save you from hard work later on and save money. Now, let’s get started.
Check out these 10 amazing washing machine maintenance tips
You don’t need any costly tools for your washing machine cleaning service. These amazing tips will help you take better care of your appliance.
1. Choose the right detergent
Detergent plays a significant role in maintaining your washing machine’s health. However, the choice of detergent depends on your budget and specific needs. Some people choose washing-machine-specific detergents, while others choose regular detergents. However, it is important that you choose a detergent that is not very harsh or heavily alkaline in nature, as it can damage parts of the washing machine and clothes.
While using a washing machine, it is essential to use the right type of detergent. The type of detergent we use is mainly determined by the type and price of our washing machine. Still, it is advisable to use the detergent recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook, which provides further information on how to use the machine properly.
It’s also vital to remember that whether we use a machine-specific or standard detergent, it shouldn’t be too harsh or alkaline. Otherwise, the inside elements of the washing machine and our garments can end up getting damaged for long-term use.
2. Deep clean your washing machine
When using washing machines, we expect 100% results. However, that might not always be the case, and after a point, your washing machine might begin to lose its efficiency. Clothes might not come out as clean as expected. This happens mainly because of the micro-residual that remains present in the water and can be a bigger issue in areas with hard water. Therefore, you must deep clean your machine more often. You can use a strong washing machine cleaner to easily remove all the scaling without damaging your machine’s parts.
Washing machine problems arise, and over time, the appliances begin to lose their efficiency. Thus, it is essential to wipe off the inside of the washing machine drum, which is where our clothing goes and holds the water, after each usage to prevent leaks. Clean the drain, door, hose and gasket, as well as any residue in the detergent compartment. Regular cleaning improves the efficiency of the machine and prevents mould and mildew from generating nasty smells. To clean our washing machine, we can use a manufacturer-recommended product like bleach, white vinegar or baking soda.
3. Clean the rubber gasket
The next thing is to clean the rubber gasket. A rubber gasket is an essential part of your machine, and it suffers much stress when drying clothes. It wraps the edges of the wash-dryer and protects your clothes and hands from damage through any sharp edges. It does not matter if you are using a front-load or a top-load machine; every time you open it, some dust particles can get inside and gather on the sides of the gasket edges. Moreover, detergent also leaves some residue on the gasket. And as it remains outside the tub, it is also prone to spillage. Therefore, having a good washing machine cleaning service is extremely important to keep the machine running properly.
The rubber gasket wraps around the washer edges, protecting our clothing from harm and our hands from any sharp edges. Every time we open the door of a washing machine, whether front or top load, tiny dust particles enter. These dust particles frequently collect on the gasket’s edges and sides. The detergent and softener particles can leave residues on the gasket. Because it is positioned outside the tub, it suffers from many spills yet stays dirty because we prefer to overlook it. This is why we must regularly wipe the rubber gasket with a moist cloth.
4. Protect the finish
While it is important to have a washing machine cleaning service from the inside, you need to keep your machine clean from the outside too. This is especially important if you are using a front loading machine. The plain top surface of these machines attracts all the dust making it dirty. While you can’t stop dust from gathering, you can certainly use a washing machine cleaner to keep your machines clean. Use a washing machine cleaner or glass cleaner to clean the sides of your machine. But make sure you are not putting much pressure to avoid any damage. Keep your washing machine covered when not in use; this will help you protect the finish much better.
5. Protect from spillage
Washing machines might be prone to detergent spillage. No matter the quality of the detergent you are using, you cannot change the fact that spillage may occur in instances, making the residue sticky and stinky over time. The best way to get over such residue is to clean it using a mild dishwashing cleaner. You must also clean the inside of the drum to maintain proper machine hygiene.
Even if we use the best detergents or softeners available on the market, the dirt that accumulates in the washing machines can also be caused by the detergent spills, which cause a bad smell over time. The best solution to get rid of this residue is to use a mild dishwashing detergent. Also, you must wipe the interior of the drum with a moist cloth to remove lint, detergent, and/or dirt deposits that may have accumulated over time.
6. Clean detergent and fabric softener dispensers
Automatic washing machines are equipped with distinct vessels for fabric softener and detergent. Washing machines will automatically combine these substances and then pour them into the tub. Over time, these substances can create a greenish texture inside the machine, making your clothes dirty. Therefore, it is essential to clean these containers properly as part of the washing machine maintenance.
7. Keep a check on the hoses
Hoses are important for water to flow smoothly inwards and outwards. Automatic and semi-automatic machines have three hoses–two inlets and one outlet. You need to ensure that the inlets are properly connected to the water source and have no leaks or cracks to avoid any spillage. You must also keep a check on the condition of the outlet. The outlet removes all the dirt and lint, and that is why you must keep cleaning it regularly.
Manual examination of the hoses is recommended by experts every other month. When we suspect an undefined issue with the hose, we must get it checked by a specialist. We must always keep an eye on the pipes to prevent unpleasant situations. In case of relocation, we must make sure to inspect the drain pipe for ill-fitting connections. Furthermore, the hoses are prone to breakage; wetness is the most unusual indicator of cracks. Rust forms on the components of old washing machines, which may block their operation. Small items such as coins, decorations, notes, and toys may clog the pipeline. We must check to see whether the hose is clear of obstructions.
8. Clean the filter
A lint filter is present in semi-automatic washing machines and is used to extract lint and dirt particles from the washing process and clean the bag. This filter also needs to be cleaned because once it is full, it might not collect dirt or debris anymore, which will get stuck on the clothes. In some cases, it might even damage the pulsator and agitator. That might cost you a lot. So, it is time you start properly maintaining your washing machine.
Our washing machine’s lint collector catches all of the lint and dirt from our clothes. It’s critical to clean and replace this lint filter regularly to avoid any blockage in the filter caused by the accumulation of dirt and debris. If the filter is full, it will no longer catch the remaining materials in the water, and our clothes will remain dirty even after getting washed. Also, these particles will get collected in the washing machine, reducing its life and performance. So, we should clean our machine filter at least once a month.
9. Leave the door open
It is advised not to clean the washing machine immediately after it has been used. People believe that keeping the door open will build dirt and debris inside the washing machine, which is true to an extent. However, it would help if you did not close the door immediately, as leaving the door open for 15 to 30 minutes will remove all the moisture and bacteria that might build up inside the washing machine. You can also wipe off the inside of the machine using a dry towel 15–30 minutes after washing clothes.
10. Use your washing machine carefully
You might be using a high capacity and powerful washing machine, but it is still delicate equipment. Therefore, you must use it carefully and keep a check on the washing machine service and maintenance. Be sure not to overstuff your machine; it is a machine and not your cupboard. Put clothes according to the capacity, and run your machine properly. Try to take as much care as you can.
Overloading the washing machine might create major problems with its operation. Overloading reduces the machine’s efficiency. Even if we are short on time, we should never overload our washing machine. It also affects working productivity and prevents our clothes from getting properly cleaned. The best approach to keep the washing machine running effectively is to segregate the garments by size, weight and colour.
11. Do not leave the laundry for an extended period
Leaving wet laundry in the washer overnight or for an extended period may damage both the machine and the garments. If we do this frequently, it might cause mouldy and slimy growth on our garments. We will ultimately have to wash the garments again, which will need the machine to operate for many hours. It will take more time and will affect our power cost. Another thing that people today do is leave their clothes unattended. It might leave an unpleasant odour on the garments. The washing machine also appears to be odorous and unhygienic.
12. Cleaning the detergent storage boxes of your machine
There are separate detergent and fabric softener containers in automatic washing machines that combine the components with water and automatically dump them into the washing tub. This is very helpful as we do not have to wait for the detergent to dissolve in the water before loading our clothes into the machine. But the continued use of these containers without adequate cleaning creates a breeding ground for bacteria and harmful deposits, which produces a hazy, transparent, and sometimes green texture that feels unclean. Washing our clothes in the extract of the accumulated bacteria on our clothes is an unhealthy practice. It also contaminates and reduces the cleaning quality of the machine. All of this can be avoided by the regular cleaning of these dispensers. We should clean the dispensers of the washing machines regularly to avoid such washing machine problems.
To Conclude - How to clean your washing machine
Washing machines are machines, after all. You must avoid using them rigorously. Take proper care and attention when choosing a washing machine cleaner and detergent. The dryers must be cleaned too. However, it is not mandatory to use expensive tools and detergents. Similarly, using cheap cleaners is also not advised. The tips mentioned above are easy to follow, and you do not need an expert for them. Just take some time to do it yourself. Hopefully, this article will help you take washing machine servicing seriously.
Do not be harsh when using your washing machine. Electrical appliances need proper care when being used. If you face any difficulty while using it, please read the manual or contact the service centre. Even if you are in a rush or annoyed, do not press the button too hard. Avoid slamming the lid hardly when closing the machine. Your washing machine endures a lot, and therefore you must deal with it carefully.
However, if none of these tips works, immediately consult a technician for your washing machine maintenance.