How to Clean Washing Machines
The Best Way to Kill a Washing Machine? Don’t Clean it. Don’t Maintain it. Sooner rather than later, it will die a painful death. Prolonging the lifespan of your washing machine is remarkably easy. We show you how.
Everyone Knows How to Clean Washing Machines Right?
But do you ever give your washing machine any TLC? Don’t answer that. You may not like the answer.
Washing machines do a lot of work. They clean a lot of gunk from clothes and that gunk has to go somewhere. Eventually it will build up and your clothes will start to smell.
Your washer will work harder and harder and harder until eventually it will run out of puff. Repair costs start to increase at this point. Before you know it, you may end up spending more on repairs than the cost of a new machine. The same goes for your fridge. You need to love your fridge too.
Prevention is way cheaper than a repair. Your clothes will smell better and your wallet will feel better too.
So let gets down to it
Products you will need
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Box bi-carb soda. Some people call it baking soda. It's the same thing. Grab a box from woolworths or coles next time you shop. It will cost around $3 - $4. Most likely in the baking section near flour etc…
Buy Bi-Carb at Woolies
Buy Bi-Carb at Coles -
Cleaning vinegar. What's the difference between regular vinegar and cleaning vinegar? Cleaning Vinegar is more acidic which makes it better for cleaning. Easy to find at Coles and Woolworths. Costs around $3-$4
Buy Cleaning Vinegar at Woolies
Buy Cleaning Vinegar at Coles -
Cleaning cloth. Microfibre cloths work best. Coles and Woolies have them too.
Microfibre Cleaning Cloths at Woolies
Microfibre Cleaning Cloths at Coles - An old toothbrush
Here are a few tips which you probaly already know, but haven't got aroung to doing just yet.
How to Clean Washing Machines
Cleaning the Exterior
Wipe down the exterior of the washing machine regularly with a damp cloth and spray and wipe. This will remove dust, detergent residues, and other debris giving it a new sparkle. It also helps to keep dirt out of internal components.
Spray and Wipe at Woolies
Spray and Wipe at Coles
Cleaning the Interior
The interior of the washing is always full of water. So why clean it? It’s clean anyway, right?
When the water drains from the washing machine, it will leave behind residues from fabric softeners and detergents and gradually build up on the drum. Pour in the box of baking soda with a cup of cleaning vinegar and run a normal cycle with hot water. This will disinfect the drum and dissolve any residues. Do this one a month. Easy.
Front-Load Models: The rubber gasket around the door can get very dirty and start to smell. With a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, wipe it down and make sure you run the cloth through any nooks and crannies in the rubber seal. Wear a pair of rubber gloves or disposable gloves if you don’t like the smell of vinegar on your hands. Dry it off with a clean cloth.
On Top-Load Models: Wipe down the agitator shaft to remove any residues. This will help water and detergents flow through the cleaning drum.
Front Load Detergent Dispenser: Remove and clean the detergent dispenser. Sometimes there may be some plastic tabs on the side of the dispenser which can be bent slightly to disengage the dispenser and it slides out. Don’t force it. Give it a squirt with spray and wipe and use an old toothbrush to brush around the inside and dislodge any gunk. Rinse it under some running water and slide it back into the washer.
Check and Clean the Filters
All washing machines have filters that trap debris and lint during a wash. After a while the build up becomes slimy and yuk. The washer won’t clean as well as it should. People will begin avoiding you because you smell. Clean and check your filters every month.
Front Load Washer filters are often located at the bottom of the washer behind a small cover/lid that looks like the lid/cover of a petrol cap on your car. Open it up and turn the cap (just like a petrol cap). The cap will slide out along with the filter. Use an old toothbrush to remove the grime and maybe give it a squirt of spray and wipe. Rinse it and then screw it back in.
Filters on a top load washing machine are often found inside the agitator shaft of the drum. In most cases, simply remove the cap of the agitator by turning it slightly and it will slip off. The filter will slide out with the cap. Pull out the gunk and give it a good rinse. Slip the cap back on.
Inlet Filters
Check the water inlet filters too. They can be found where the hoses connect to the washing machine. Sometimes you may need to remove these and clean them to prevent blockages. If ever the washing machine fills very slowly, it's most likely a blockage in these filters. So keep them clean.
Balance the Load
An unbalanced top load washing machine will produce excessive vibrations. Distribute clothes evenly around the drum so that it's evenly weighted. I once had an old washing machine that would vibrate its way across to the other side of the laundry if it wasn’t balanced. It was like a scene from stranger things on netflix. Don’t overload the washer either because this will also cause it to vibrate.
Use the Right Detergent
Not all detergents are created equal so you can’t just use any old detergent in your washing machine. Some detergents will work in front and top loaders whereas others are specifically made for front loaders. Specialised front loader detergents are made to prevent excessive soap bubbles that can interfere with the machine operation. Check the manual for the right detergent to use and the right quantity.
Avoid Overusing Fabric Softener
Fun fact. Fabric softener residues can cause mold and mildew growth. Who knew? It's best to alternate between a fabric softener and white vinegar as a fabric softener. Add the vinegar during the rinse cycle, not at the beginning. Otherwise you might end up smelling like fish and chips.
Leave the Door Open
Leave the washing machine door open after washing. It helps cycle through fresh air to help dry it out. This will help stop mildew and mold growing in the nether regions and stop any nasty smells. Front load washers have tight rubber seals on the door. Closing the door with moisture inside is a catalyst for some weird smells forming. Keep the door open when not in use
Inspect Hoses Regularly
It's a good idea to have a close look at the water hoses on your washing machine from time to time. Cracked and work hoses will leak and may cause flooding. Stainless steel braided hoses are a little more expensive but are super durable. Get them at bunnings.
Prevent and Remove Odors
A smelly washing machine will transfer odors to your clothes. Not Good.
An alternative approach to the cleaning method in step 1, you can also use antibacterial cleaning tablets. Do this once a month. Available at Coles and Woolies.
Anti Bacterial Cleaning Tablets at Woolies
Anti Bacterial Cleaning Tablets at Coles
Don’t forget to wipe down with a vinegar solution between uses and leave the washer door open.\
Level the Machine
An unlevel washing machine (front or top load) will also cause excessive vibrations and noise during operation. If you don’t have a spirit level, grab a small one from bunnings for less than $5. Place it on top of the washing machine and level it up using the adjustable feet on the washer. Place it on the front, back and sides and adjust the feet as best you can.
Descale the Machine
If you live in an area with hard water, limescale will build up over time. In these cases, use a commercial descaling solution or you can make your own using white vinegar and baking soda. Start the washing machine on an empty cycle with a descaler added to the water. This will dissolve any limescale that has accumulated. A product such as CLR bought from Bunning will do the job.
Descaling Solution at Bunnings
More Tips
Check for Loose Items
Damage can occur when loose items such as keys, coins, hair clips etc… rattle around during a wash cycle. These things tend to get stuck or clog up drains or worse… damage the drum. So don’t forget to empty pockets before placing them in the washing machine.
Service Regularly
You service your car right? Like any mechanical piece of machinery, it's a good idea to have your washing machine serviced periodically so that smaller issues don’t become big issues. How often depends on how often your machine is used. For everyday use, you might want to consider a service by a reputable technician once every 12-18 months.
Avoid Overloading Electrical Outlets
Plug your washing machine into a dedicated power outlet. Don’t be tempted to plug it into an overloaded bower board, especially if your washer has a digital control panel. You don’t want to fry the onboard circuitry.
Check the Error Codes
Te beauty of electronic panels is that when something goes wrong it will tell you. But often it will display a strange error code. This is where the manual comes in handy because all the error codes will be listed. Once you find out what it means you can then fix minor issues quickly.
Use Mesh Bags for Delicates
Use mesh laundry bags for delicate items such as lingerie, hosiery, and small accessories. Mesh bags protect delicate fabrics from damage and prevent small items from getting trapped in the machine's drum or filter.
Items such as hosiery, lingerie and small accessories are best washed in a mesh bag. The bag will help protect fabrics from damage and stop them from getting stuck in the drum of filters. Available at supermarkets. Wash Bag at Coles
Optimize Wash Settings
It's a good idea to use the washing machine presets to wash different types of clothes rather than just using the regular wash cycle every time. For instance, delicates will often use a lower wash temperature and lower spin speeds. This not only works out better for your clothes but it also reduces the work your washer does.
Check the Spin Speed
Use the appropriate spin speed. Light speed will help dry your clothes faster but the machine will work harder too.
Keep the Area Clean
A clean wash area will help keep out the dust from the machinery. A well ventilated wash area will help prevent overheating and reduce the likelihood of mildew and mold.
Listen to your Machine
If your washing machine starts making weird noises, vibrates like crazy or the wash quality isn’t what it used to be, then these could be the early signs that something is not quite right with your washing machine. Don’t ignore the early warning signs. Check it out straight away before it becomes a costly repair.
Conclusion
Your washing machine does a lot of work. Look after it. Maintaining your washing machine isn’t hard. Make it part of your periodic home routine. Simple things like keeping it free of dust can make a difference. Keep the manual in a safe place so that you can refer to it, especially when you need to lookup error codes etc.. With regular care, your washing machine will continue to care for you too.
Have you got a hot maintenance tip? Leave in the comments below.