It’s easy to forget that your washing machine needs regular checks to stay in good working order.
Fortunately, the maintenance checks you need to perform are quite simple, and they’ll help improve your washing machine’s performance!
Clean the rubber seal
It’s easy for hair and dirt to get trapped under the rubber seal. It’s understandable you might forget to check here but it’s vital you clean it so the hair and dirt doesn’t build up.
Cleaning tips: water and vinegar solution
Clean out the rubber seal with a half water half vinegar solution, using a toothbrush or scouring sponge to scrub away any grime. For hard to reach areas, use a cotton bud then rinse the seal with water afterwards. In the worst case scenario, mould may have seeped into the machine’s rubber seal which means you’d have to replace it.
Check the hose
Every few month, inspect your washing machine’s water hoses for signs of weakness or wear. If you come across any cracks or damage, then replace the hose as soon as possible, otherwise, it can lead to a leak or burst. Some manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every 5 years, which you might want to do for peace of mind.
Note: the most reliable hoses are made from high-quality stainless steel.
Clean the fabric softener dispenser
You could find fabric softener left behind after a wash. In such a case wipe clean the dispenser and make sure to do so often. When you pour softener and detergent into the dispenser, make sure it’s completely dry so gummy residue is less likely to build up.
Check for smells
Occasionally, take the time to check how your machine smells. If you usually use cooler washes to save money on energy bills, it’s important you know that these washes do not eliminate bacteria and mould completely. To help, leave the machine door ajar every once in a while so air can get into the machine.
Cleaning tips: vinegar, baking soda, water
Mix the baking soda and water together then place the mixture in the detergent draw. Pour the vinegar into the machine’s drum and run the machine on the highest setting on a normal spin cycle. The baking soda and vinegar break down any mould deposits causing nasty odours.
Check the pipes
Regularly, wash your machine to get rid of grease and dirt build up in the pipes. A couple of times a year you can run the washing machine without any clothes in the drum – set it to the highest wash then add the average amount of detergent you’d use.
Clean out the drain pump filter
Clean out the drain pump filter on a weekly basis or whenever your machine drains poorly or starts acting abnormally. This could be caused by hair, fabric and dirt clogging up the drain pump filter. You find out how to clean your filter on White Good Help.
Checking over your washing machine isn’t difficult, you just have to remember to make these simple checks. If you’d like to learn more about washing machine maintenance or drainage, feel free to contact us at Happy Drains – we’d be happy to help.
