18 Essential Washing Machine Maintenance Tips to Know!

Top 18 Essential Washing Machine Maintenance Tips

Washing machines are incredibly important to our lives. They make our lives much easier. They do most of the legwork when it comes to keeping our clothing clean and smelling good. Unfortunately, that convenience comes at a cost. Washing machines are very expensive. Despite how good the technology and build quality has gotten, they still require a lot of upkeep and they have specific weak points on them. Keeping your machine well maintained is one of the best ways to ensure your life isn’t interrupted by a broken washing machine. It can save you from having to deal with expensive and extensive repairs in the future.

The majority of the washing machine maintenance can be done easily without the need for investing in monitors or expensive tools. That being said, you need to pay attention to your machine to keep it running smoothly. No matter how new or old your machine is, you want to leverage these tips to keep your washing machine functioning well. While some washing machines are packed with a self-cleaning feature nowadays, you can still integrate some of the tips below to improve the performance. Small changes in your washing habits can make a big difference in keeping your machine operational.

Here are some of the best tips you can utilize to keep your front-loading washing machine fully functional and efficient for years to come.

1. Always Choose The Right Detergent

One of the most important things you need to do is focus on the detergent you are using. The detergent you use can play a big role in determining how well your machine runs. Much like the grade of gas you put in your vehicle’s tank, you want to choose high-quality and the right detergent for your machine. The choice will ultimately come down to your appliance repair budget and your specific needs. You want something that isn’t too harsh. You don’t want the detergent you use regularly to damage your washing machine’s components.

2. Deep Clean

One of the things you want to be doing when it comes to conducting routine maintenance on your machine is deep cleaning it. Your machine runs constantly. You generally expect a thorough clean every time you throw a load of clothing into it. Your machine will end up building up a lot of grime and residual debris. As a result, your machine will lose its cleaning efficiency and effectiveness over time. However, it doesn’t have to. By deep cleaning your washing machine regularly, you can keep it functioning optimally for as long as possible.

3. Clean The Gasket

When you are looking to maintain your washing machine, you want to focus on the most important components. Cleaning the rubber gasket is essential. The gasket is one of the most important components of your machine because it endures the most stress when you are drying your clothing. It effectively protects your clothing from getting damaged by the machine. As a result, you need to ensure you are cleaning it so it can do its job properly. Every time you open the machine, dust particles will get inside and gather on the edges of the gasket. Also, the detergent you use will leave residual debris. Clean the gasket and you will find it works much better.

4. Protect The Outside

While you want to focus on protecting the inside of your machine to keep it operational, you also need to focus on the outside. Protecting the outside including the finish is key to keeping it looking great for years to come. This is particularly important when you are looking to maintain a front-loading machine. The top surface of these machines will attract a lot of dust and debris. This can end up getting into your machine and causing problems. You can easily wipe down your machine regularly to stop this from becoming too much of an issue.

5. Protect From Spillage

You will find washing machines can be prone to the spillage of detergent. It doesn’t matter how good the detergent you are using is, you won’t be able to change the fact that it will end up spilling out occasionally. Because of this, you need to watch for this and try to clean it up when it does occur. Otherwise, it will build up over time.

6. Clean The Dispensers

You will find automatic washing machines are typically equipped with vessels meant for detergent and fabric softener. The machine combines these substances automatically and pours them into the base tub. Over some time, they can form a muddy substance in the tub and cause your clothing to get dirty. The best way to prevent this is by cleaning the containers as well as possible when you are maintaining the machine.

7. Constantly Check The Hoses

The hoses on the machine are very important for water to flow both inwards and outwards on the machine. Any washing machine including automatic and semi-automatic have 3 different hoses. 2 of the hoses are inlets and 1 is an outlet. You’ll want to not only ensure all of the hoses remain intact but that they aren’t leaking. Also, check to see if the hoses break down or have any cracks that could cause issues.

8. Maintain The Filters

You need to look at the filters of your machine regularly. You want to look at the lint filter that’s present in semi-automatic machines. This filter is essential for taking out the lint and various dust particles in the machine. This filter has to be cleaned regularly because when it gets full it won’t operate properly. This means the filter won’t be doing its job and the lint will remain on your clothing even after a wash.

9. Leave The Machine's Door Open

You don’t want to clean the machine right after you use it. What you do want to do is leave the door open. A lot of people have this misconception that it will only allow dirt and debris to enter. While this is certainly plausible and true to a certain extent, it’s not going to cause too much of an issue. Also, it will help keep the machine clean. It allows the machine to air dry which can help to create an environment unsuitable for bacteria and mold growth. When you close the door after a wash, you create a moist environment where bacteria and mold thrive.

10. Use It Properly

If you want to keep your machine lasting a long time, you need to be careful when using it. While you may have a high-capacity machine that’s high-quality, you still want to treat it as if it’s a delicate machine – because it is. You need to use it carefully and consistently check on it. Do some maintenance to the machine to keep it functioning optimally. You’ll want to pay attention to the manual and put the clothing in according to the capacity of the machine. Take care of your machine and you’ll find it lasts a lot longer.

11. Avoid Overloading It

One of the worst things you can do for the longevity of your washing machine is overloaded. You need to do proper-sized loads. Otherwise, you will weigh it down and cause the motor to have to work harder than it should. Sizing your loads according to the manufacturer’s specifications will ensure you don’t cause too much stress on your machine.

12. Don't Forget Coins and Other Things In Your Pockets

A big problem a lot of people run into when it comes to keeping their machines functioning well is forgetting to remove things from their pockets. You need to avoid leaving coins and keys in your pockets. These things can damage your machine if they get loose in it.

13. Air It Out

To further add to the idea of leaving your door open, you want to air it out. Try to leave it open for 12 to 30 minutes after washing. This can help you dry out the drum to keep it from building up too much moisture in a closed air environment. This can keep your machine from building up mold and it can keep it from smelling bad.

14. Clean Out The Filters

As mentioned previously, you need to continue to go through your machine to keep the filters clean. The filters aren’t going to work properly if they are full of gunk. Because of this, you need to go through the filters and clean them on occasion. You can do this during your routine maintenance to keep everything working properly.

15. Descale The Machine

You will find that a majority of machines end up running into problems with scaling. This is especially true if you are in an area with a lot of hard water. Hard water can result in mineral buildup on your machines. This can cause big problems because the mineral deposits can cause the machine to break down. You don’t want mineral buildup because it can cause a thick layer to build upon the drum and internal components.

16. Clean Both The Interior and Exterior

You need to focus on cleaning every corner of the machine. This is very important both inside and out because otherwise things can build up and cause issues with your machine’s operation. You want to clear out the drum, filters, gaskets, dispensers, and even the exterior. You can use white vinegar mixed with baking soda to clear everything up.

17. Keep Your Machine Level

You need to ensure your washing machine is placed on a level surface. If you place it on an uneven surface, you will find that the machine can shake. Having a shaking machine is bad because it can result in your machine’s components getting out of whack. You want to keep your components functioning properly and have them on uneven surface levels more room for things to go wrong. You can always adjust the feet of the machine according to the surface. They have the feet designed in a way that will allow you to level the machine even on an uneven surface. You can call a professional to handle it for you if you don’t know how to do it.

18. Check The Hoses

Every machine has multiple hoses you need to check. You need to make a habit of checking the hoses now and then. This will help you keep everything running as smoothly as possible. You don’t want the hoses to have blockages or leaks.

Final Thoughts

You need to wash things to keep yourself in clean clothes. It’s something you use regularly. Your washing machine is integral to your daily life. Keeping it running smoothly is key to keeping you from having to do it by hand. It’s easily one of the most important appliances in your home. While it’s very capable on its own, it does require maintenance to keep it functioning optimally for years to come.

When you are looking for appliance repair, you can count on Steven Alden Appliances Repair, Grand Prairie, TX. We offer professional and affordable appliance repair services of all kinds. We consider ourselves the go-to professional appliance repair specialist in Grand Prairie. If you need appliance repair in the area, you can count on us to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

We have a team of knowledgeable and skilled technicians ready and waiting to assist you. We know how important your appliances are to your daily life. Having a malfunctioning washer or dryer can bring a lot of stress to your life. We make it our mission to solve your problems quickly and professionally. You can count on us to get the job done so you can get back to living your best life. Call us at (682)-300-9387 to schedule your professional appliance repair appointment today.