Did you know that properly maintaining your washing machine can extend its lifespan, and thus protect your investment? Since we’re all about saving you money wherever possible, we’ve come up with a few tips and tricks on how you can take care of your washing machine.
Don’t overload or underload
Overloading your washing machine can put strain on your appliance and prevent it from doing what it’s made to do: clean clothes. On the other hand, underloading can also cause issues in the long run by setting the spin off balance. We suggest sticking to the instructed weight in the manual to steer clear from problems that could’ve been dodged.
Avoid adding too much detergent
When washing items in our machine, we think: the more detergent or fabric softener, the cleaner or softer my clothes. When in fact, it means: the more product, the more build-up over time. What happens is that when we add too much product, it not only damages our clothes, but it also leaves a residue and eventually blocks water from flowing easily into the washing machine.
Ventilate your machine
Remember that mould and bacteria will thrive within the interior because of its dark and damp areas, and keeping your lid closed can trap moisture and lead to a bad smell and bacteria build-up. Our tip is to ventilate it after each wash to ensure the inside dries — preventing the issue of mould and bacteria altogether.
Perform routine cleans
Because our washing machines are meant to clean our items, we forget that they also need routine cleans. You will know when it’s time for a clean if your laundry smells bad after a cycle, or when stains become harder to remove. We recommend cleaning your machine regularly — from the hoses and filters to the interior and detergent/softener drawer.
Run an empty hot wash
Another routine clean includes an empty hot wash to keep the inside as clean as possible. Start a hot cycle with no laundry inside, add a cup of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser (optional), and press start. The hot water will disinfect your washer while the addition of vinegar will remove bacteria.
If you’re looking for a new washing machine, check our top picks here.
