12 Essential Washing Machine Maintenance Tips

Any type of machinery requires regular maintenance for a longer life. This implies that if we follow certain procedures daily, it will ensure its effective functioning for a longer period.

These days, washing machines have become part of almost every household. Whether it is regular t-shirts party wear, or even curtains and bedsheets, these washing machines can easily take care of it. 

Many people think that a washing machine can self-maintain as it is a cleaning machine itself. However, no matter how great the model is, it does require servicing regularly as it will extend its life.

Hiring washing machine cleaner services or a washing machine repair and maintenance services company can help you with the adequate maintenance of your machine. Keeping the washing machine well-maintained can save you from plenty of repair costs. Taking small steps in washing machine maintenance can save the machine from repairs. 

Check out these 10 washing machine maintenance tips

One doesn’t need any costly tools for your washing machine cleaning services. Follow these amazing tips to take better care of your alliance.

Choose the right detergent

Detergent plays a vital role in maintaining the health of your washing machine. However, the choice of detergent depends on your specific needs and budget. It is important to choose a detergent that is not very harsh or heavily alkaline as it can damage the machine and clothes. It is advisable to use the detergent recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook, which consists of information on how to use the machine properly.

Deep clean your washing machine

When using washing machines, we expect 100% results. However, after a few years, your washing machine might begin to lose its efficiency. Hence, one must deep clean their machine very often. Use a strong washing machine cleaner for the easy removal of the scaling without causing damage to your machine’s parts.

It is also essential to wipe off the inside of the washing machine drum after each usage to prevent leaks. Clean the drain, door, hose, gasket, and any residue in the detergent compartment. To clean the washing machine, we can use products like bleach, baking soda, or white vinegar.

Clean the rubber gasket 

A rubber gasket suffers a lot of stress while drying clothes. It wraps the edges of the wash-dryer and protects our clothes and hands from damage through the sharp edges. Be it a front-load or top-load machine, every time you open it, some dust articles can get inside and gather on the sides of the gasket edges.  As the gasket remains outside the tub, it is prone to sillage.

Protect the finish

One has to keep the washing machine clean from inside and outside. This is especially important if you are using the front-load machine. The plain top surface of washing machines attracts all the dust. Hence, using the washing machine cleaner is the best way to keep your machines clean. Keep your washing machine covered when not in use as it helps in protecting the finish much better.

Protect from spillage

Washing machines might be prone to detergent sillage. No matter the quality of the detergent you are using, we can’t change the fact that spillage may occur in instances, making the sticky and stinky over time. Use dishwashing cleaner to clean such residue. 

Clean detergent and fabric softener dispensers

Automatic washing machines are equipped with separate vessels for fabric softener and detergent. Machines will automatically mix these two substances and then pour them into the tub. Over time, these substances can create a greenish texture inside the machine, which makes the clothes dirty. Hence, maintain those containers properly as part of the maintenance.

Keep a check on hoses

Hoses are important for water to flow smoothly in and outwards. Automatic and semi-automatic machines contain three hoses; which are two inlets and one outlet. We must ensure that inlets are properly connected to the water source and have no leaks to avoid sillage. Kee an eye on the outlet as it removes all the dirt and lint, and hence must clean it regularly. In case of relocation, make sure to inspect the drain pipe for any ill-fitting connections.

Clean the filter

A lint filter present in semi-automatic washing machines is used to extract lint and dirt particles during the washing process. This filter must be cleaned because once it is full, it might not collect dirt anymore. 

Leave the door open

It is always advisable not to clean the washing machine immediately after its usage. Usually, many of us believe that keeping the door open will build dirt and debris inside the washing machine, which is true to an extent. However, leaving the door open for 15 to 30 minutes will remove all the moisture and bacteria that might build u inside the washing machine. 

Use your washing machine carefully

You might be using a high-capacity and powerful washing machine but still, it is a delicate equipment. Hence, use it carefully and keep an eye on the washing machine service and maintenance. Make sure not to overstuff your machine and ut the clothes according to the capacity only. Overloading the washing machine affects working productivity and prevents our clothes from getting properly cleaned.

Don’t 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 clothes. If we do this frequently, it might cause slimy growth in our garments. We will ultimately have to rewash the garments, which takes the machine to operate for many hours. 

Clean the detergent storage boxes

Generally, automatic washing machines contain separate detergent and fabric softener containers. Machines combine these two components with water and then automatically dump them into the washing tub. This is quite helpful as we don’t have to wait for the detergent to dissolve the water before loading our clothes into the machine. The usage of these containers without cleaning for many days can develop bacteria and harmful deposits that feel unclean.