washing machine maintenance tips

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By Home master

Washing Machine Maintenance Tips

Washing machines are one of the most widely-used appliances in any home. Unfortunately, however, not enough homeowners adhere to proper maintenance guidelines when using their machine – such as keeping it level and not overloading it. Several washing machine maintenance tips can be given but these are the most important ones.

Also Read: Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

Inspection of your washer’s water hoses (two inlets and one outlet) on a regular basis for cracks or leaks is important in keeping it running optimally while inspecting its lint filter regularly may be beneficial in avoiding clogging issues.

Check the Water Hoses

As part of your regular washing cycles, the water hoses between your washing machine and the house water source may experience extreme pressure. As these hoses must withstand this stress for extended periods of time, signs of wear could appear over time as well as potential kinks or damage that could cause them to rupture if left undetected – you can decrease the chances of disaster by inspecting them periodically. To maximize safety you should regularly check them as a part of washing machine maintenance tips.

Before beginning to check your hoses, unplug your washing machine and turn off its water supply valves (usually behind it ) so no accidental water flow occurs while working. Remove all of the hoses from behind your machine and set them in a bucket for inspection.

Start by inspecting the hoses for signs of wear or damage, such as cracks, blisters or holes in the material. Be on the lookout for any distortions that obstruct water flow – especially any kinks or distortions that might prevent water flow. If any problems exist, they must be addressed by replacing your existing standard hoses with high-quality stainless steel models that won’t deteriorate so easily.

Make sure there is at least four inches of clearance between the wall-connected hose connection and the back of the washer, to reduce any chance of it crimping or bending when pulled out and back in during each wash cycle. This will also help ensure an uninterrupted wash cycle experience for you.

Your washing machine’s drain filters should be regularly replaced in order to limit debris and lint accumulation that could clog your hoses, while installing a water hammer arrestor will help absorb sudden increases in pressure caused when electric valves in the washer shut off, helping keep hoses from bursting and saving thousands in damage to your home. Finally, as part of a preventive maintenance program, you should replace them every five years as a proactive measure.

Clean the Interior

Mold, mildew, and soil often gather within a washing machine’s interior, leading to unpleasant odors and potentially damaging clothing and other household items. Regular maintenance cleaning of your washer helps ensure its cleanliness and should be a part of washing machine maintenance tips to remember.

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Start with the rubber seal or gasket along the opening of your washer, which forms a seal to prevent water from leaking out and into your surroundings. Check for debris as lint or hair stuck to its surface; these materials could potentially clog the washing machine and foster mold growth. Also inspect its agitator, particularly if it features one-piece agitators that cannot be detached; for this purpose, a nylon toothbrush-shaped nylon brush might come in handy to access tight spaces within this part.

First, remove clothing from your washing machine and wipe down its interior with a damp cloth, including its detergent and fabric softener dispensers and slot. If any are dirty, combine baking soda and vinegar in order to effectively sanitize and disinfect them; baking soda will eliminate odors while vinegar will sanitize and disinfect your machine.

Once your washer’s interior has been thoroughly cleansed, run a hot wash cycle without clothes for the best results. This will flush hoses and drain lines clean, helping prevent mold or mildew deposits in them as well as other parts of your washing machine.

Once the wash cycle has finished, move your clothes directly to the dryer as soon as it is completed. Allowing damp clothes to sit in your washer can promote mold growth that poses serious health hazards to both humans and pets; using your dryer quickly will dry any moisture remaining inside and prevent mildew/mold from growing in your laundry room. Performing regular maintenance tasks for your washing machine will reduce costly repairs while increasing its lifespan!

Clean the Exterior

A washing machine is an indispensable appliance that removes bacteria, dirt, and stains from clothing, but over time can become filthy. Washing machines tend to build up soap scum, water, and detergent residue as well as contaminants that cause foul smells in clothes.

Regular washing can eliminate these issues and keep your washer in excellent condition, helping reduce energy consumption, prevent leaks, and prolong its lifespan. To maintain such conditions, regular maintenance must include using specific cleaning techniques for each type of wash load.

Weekly maintenance of your washing machine will reduce mold and mildew growth in your laundry. Simply run an empty cycle with hot water (no clothes) before adding three cups of vinegar. Leave this solution alone for at least an hour before restarting your machine; this solution should help dissolve soap scum, disinfect your basin, and eliminate mineral deposits.

Followed by wiping down the exterior of both washer and lid using a cloth or sponge dipped into an equal mixture of water and vinegar solution, washing or wiping down dispensers or any removable components with this solution to prevent mold, mildew, and other contaminants from building up in these areas.

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The door gasket of your washing machine is an especially susceptible spot for mold and mildew growth. While its main function is to seal off water leaking out, its porous surface allows dirt buildup that quickly turns to mold growth. Use a microfiber cloth or special wipes designed for washing machines to wipe down and disinfect this part of the gasket, making sure to reach all edges as well.

Check your agitator for debris that has lodged itself within it, especially one-piece agitators which can be unbolted with a socket wrench for removal and cleaning with a cloth or commercial cleaner.

Clean the Drain Filter

Always remember this when thinking about washing machine maintenance tips. The drain filter is an integral component of your washing machine’s drainage system and should be regularly maintained and cleaned out. Similar to a dryer’s lint trap, it protects the drain pump from debris accumulation that could block it during wash cycles. Filters vary depending on model specifications – for more specific guidance consult your owner’s manual or ask at local stores. Regular filter maintenance will help avoid clogged drains, smelly clothes, and other unpleasant issues arising.

Before attempting to clean the filter, first, turn off and unplug your washer from power, placing a towel or bowl below its cover to catch any spilled water during cleaning. On front load washers, filters may be located behind one of the lower front corners while top load models typically feature one beneath their agitators.

Depending on your model, opening the filter may involve pressing in or flipping up a lever near the front of the machine, otherwise, a plate that covers the drain pump must be removed first and unscrewed from its hose before unscrewing the drain pump filter from it and clearing away any large clumps of lint that may have collected inside.

Filters should then be washed in hot water to remove all debris from their filter compartment, before being reinserted back into their pumps and their filter compartment covers closed. Prior to reassembling them, be sure to tighten up their cap tightly in order to prevent leakage; additionally, it would be wise to run an empty wash cycle on an unloaded washer before testing its operation once more.

These simple maintenance tasks will extend the lifespan of your washer while providing you with cleaner clothes. By taking the time to wipe down rubber gaskets, clean lint filters, and run short cycles without detergent or clothing – you’ll have an efficient washer that performs like new.