Tips to maintain a washing machine

Maintenance is essential in most home appliances, including washing machines and dryers. Proper care and timely attention are necessary to ensure they function optimally. Whether it is a traditional top-load or high-efficiency front-load washing machine, some common maintenance tips can help prevent its early wear and tear. Apart from following standard and routine maintenance tasks, it’s also best to have a professional thoroughly check the appliance once or twice a year to ensure its longevity.

Best washing machine maintenance tips

Pre-scrub the washing machine for odor removal

When tackling a smelly washer, it is recommended to pre-scrub every nook and cranny of the appliance. Use an old toothbrush or sponge and scrub it with bleach or fabric softener dispensers. Scrubbing helps to remove any buildup on the inside and avoid odor. For top-load washers, remember to scrub the door and hinges where dirt tends to hide. In the case of a front-load washing machine, don’t forget the areas around the rubber seal to remove any gunk in gaskets.

Listen to any odd sounds

If the washing machine pump struggles during operations and makes odd clicking sounds, there might be fabric or some object jamming it. This can often cause drainage problems for washing machines. To resolve the issue, switch off and drain the machine and inspect the water pump by removing the panel. Check for any clogs in the pump or the tube, clean any debris, and ensure the impellers move freely to avoid undue stress on the appliance.

Clean washing machine regularly

When the washing machines are not cleaned regularly, they form odors, mold, and mildew. The odors are mainly due to leftover detergent, fabric softener, or mineral deposits, which can eventually affect clothes. To avoid this, add diluted baking soda to the washing drum, then run a hot water cycle. This will automatically clean the machine’s interior. It is also recommended to leave the door open after each cleaning session, especially this one, to air dry the machine and avoid trapping odors.

Avoid overloading

Never overload the washing machine beyond its recommended capacity. Overloading can damage the machine’s motor, drum, and other internal components. It’s best to separate larger loads into smaller groups and also separate the loads based on colors and types of fabric.

Measure and use the right detergent

Always use the appropriate amount of detergent for the load, and choose the brand and quality of detergent suitable for your washing machine. Using any other type affects the quality of clothes and fabric, creates a mess, and affects the machine parts. For example, front-load washing machines cannot usually handle top-load washer detergents since they produce more suds, which tends to leak or spill out of the machine during the wash cycle. On the other hand, powdered detergent or high-efficiency (HE) liquid detergent should be reserved only for the type of washing machines that use water-saving technology. If not, it may produce too much residue, damaging the machine.

Do not keep the machine loaded for long

Once the washing cycle is complete, shift the clothes into the dryer and begin the drying cycle. Once both are done, do not leave the clothes in the machine to avoid mold growth.

Inspect hoses and connections

A washing machine has different hoses – hot water, cold water, and the drain hose. It’s best to make it a habit to give them a once-over every month, looking out for any cracks or signs of wear and tear. The best time to do this is right after a laundry session, so it is easy to spot any leaks.

Clean the lint filter

During a wash cycle, most fabrics leave behind lint, which the machine does not drain along with the water. Instead, it filters these particles out so they do not clog the plumbing systems. Usually, the lint filter can be found along the top rim of the drum, near the drain hose, or inside an agitator. It’s important to remove and clean this filter with a towel or a brush before installing it back. Some machines come with disposable lint filters, so replacing them as recommended is beneficial.

Inspect the door seal

The door seal or gasket is essential to avoid leaks and ensure proper sealing of the washing machine door during operation. Inspect it for any signs of wear, tears, or mold growth. If the seal is dirty, clean it with water and vinegar, or go for part replacement if it’s damaged beyond repair.

At times, mere cleaning or troubleshooting may not suffice, and you may need to go for washing machine part replacement. Look for signs such as mold or mildew smell, loud noises, fabric damage, no hot water supply, non-rotating drums, and leakage to know that the machine has some issues and needs professional attention or part replacements.