6 Ways to Take Care of Your Washing Machine

6 Ways to Take Care of Your Washing Machine

Your washing machine needs some love. Think of what this machine does for you: It cleans a hamper’s worth of dirty clothing in less than an hour and removes all sorts of stains without washing daily in and day out. Like any appliance, you need to clean and care for your own washing machine to help keep it running smoothly. A tiny bit of upkeep goes a very long way, so here are a few straightforward tricks to try.

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1. Deep cleaning. Do you feel as though your clothes are not coming out as clean as they should? Or do you detect an odor within your washing machine? Then it is time for a deep clean. I like to use The Laundress Machine Cleaner once a month to clean out my washer and I’ve noticed it rains when I do. You will want to conduct an empty cycle hot wash with your machine cleaner or simply laundry detergent.

You can create your own DIY washing-machine cleaner. Should you feel like your washing machine needs sanitizing, create a way of 3/4 cup of bleach and 1 tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Allow the solution run through a soak cycle of your machine, and then run a rinse cycle to remove the bleach and clean it out.

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2. Keep the door shut. Following is a large one you may not know. You are supposed to leave the lid or door to the washing machine open after each load. Why? Keeping the door open allows the moisture within the drum of the washing machine to evaporate.

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3. Clean spills. I’ve been guilty of this error. Should you spill anything in your own washer, you should wipe it away with a moist soft cloth immediately — do not allow the spill sit for long.

What’s the problem (besides a dried spill being harder to wash )? Most washer shirts are made of ceramic enamel or even a synthetic enamel. This conclusion can be damaged by exposure to alternatives like ammonia, chlorine bleach or some other abrasive cleaners.

4. Protect the finish. If you apply the very top of your washing machine as a workout, place a folded towel on top to protect its finish.This is especially useful when you treat stains, since stain removers can make the surface of the washing machine sticky. The baked enamel finish on washers may also scratch easily. Maintain any sharp tools (such as scissors) safely off.

Keep away any fluids away from the controller panel. Liquid detergents and stain removers can harm the finish.

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5. Wipe down it — indoors and out. I’ve been quite neglectful of my washing machine and noticed that it is getting a sticky residue from small detergent spills. It is important to wipe down the exterior of your washing machine about once a week, as you would any other surface in your home. The very best solution is a gentle dishwashing liquid (which may cut grease) and water.

Do not forget the inside of your washer! You should occasionally wipe down the inside drum of the machine with a moist cloth. It is easy for lint, dirt or soapy residue to build up inside.

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6. Clean the fabric softener dispenser. Practice the product manual directions for cleansing the fabric softener dispenser. Avoid using detergent to clean the dispenser.

7. Keep a watch out for the hoses attached to a washing machine. You would like to be certain they do not become bent. If your washing machine is older, it may be time to replace these hoses (that should be replaced every five years.) A flow on your washing machine hose can result in a flood in your home.

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