Laundry is an inevitable chore that every homeowner has to do weekly. Without clean clothes, you can’t go to work or school. Well, you can, but you may get a few complaints.
Luckily washers and dryers are faithful machines that can get the job done. They’re durable appliances that can last for years to come.
That is if you practice proper washer dryer maintenance. If you don’t bother to clean the machines or you overload them, they may end up breaking down before you want them to.
We’ve got a list of steps that you’ll need to perform to keep your appliances in tip-top shape. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Preventing Mold and Mildew
The last thing you want is to have to clean mold and mildew out of your washing machine. To this end, as soon as the wash cycle finishes, you need to take out your clothes.
If you let them sit, the moisture will produce a horrible smell and after a while, it can cause mold and mildew to form. Another trick that we have for you is to leave the doors to your washer and dryer open when you’re not using them.
If you close them, moisture will build-up, which can also cause mold and mildew to grow, and create some nasty smells that you don’t want to deal with.
2. Clear Out Your Filter
For the ultimate in dryer efficiency, clean out your lint trap after each use. Doing so will stop fires from happening and lengthen the lifespan of the appliance.
Once every few dries or so, you should also wash the lint trap with soap and water. It will remove any softener and detergent buildup that may restrict airflow.
3. Clean the Machines
As time goes on, grime builds up in your washers and dryers. That’s why cleaning the inside of your machines is an important step of laundry maintenance.
Remove the dispensers and wash them with soap and water. While you’re doing that, fill up the washing machine with bleach and warm water. Let it sit for an hour and then run a wash cycle.
When that’s done, repeat the process, but instead of using bleach this time, use a few cups of vinegar. Obviously, this tactic won’t work for your dryer. Clean the inside of that with a mild detergent, or you can go the vinegar route.
All washing machines have something known as a drain pump filter. Things can get stuck in it and clog things up. So, if your machine isn’t working normally, clean it out.
If you don’t clear your dryer’s exhaust vent, it can cause a fire in your home. Once a year, pull your dryer away from the wall and use a vacuum to remove the lint. Capitol Duct Cleaning LLC can help you with some of these chores.
4. Don’t Overload the Washer
We get it. You want to get your wash done as soon as possible and go about your day. You need to fight this urge at all costs. You see, most washing machines have a sensor.
Its job is to sense how large the load is and fill the washer with the right amount of water. Overfilling the machine will break the sensor and prevent it from doing this important job.
It will also put a lot of stress on the hardware. It won’t be able to take this pressure for too long before it shuts down.
Your clothes can get stuck in the door seal and inner drum of the machine. It doesn’t always happen, but under the right circumstances, this will tear the fabric.
Your detergent won’t be able to handle the size of the load either, which means your clothes will stay dirty. As you can see, overpacking the machine won’t actually save you any time.
5. Check Your Hoses
Water can’t flow throughout your washing machine if there’s something wrong with your hoses. Once a year, pull out your machine to check them out.
If your hoses look worn or have any cracks, you’ll need to replace them. You should also check for dirty water and lint. A build-up of either of these things can cause blockages.
6. Keep the Machine Level
If your machine is unbalanced, the drum will spin, and spin, and spin. It puts serious strain on the hardware. It will affect the longevity of your machine.
Many washers have front legs that you can turn and lock in place. If you do that, it should stop the drum from shaking.
7. Buy Metal Parts
You should buy metal parts for your dryer whenever possible. Vinyl ducts, for example, are bad about falling apart and catching on fire.
Metal ducts are much sturdier and it’s easy to get your hands on them.
8. Don’t Neglect the Outside of the Machines
Don’t get so caught up in cleaning the inside of the machines that you forget about the outside. Rusting can pose a huge problem. If you notice any scratches in the paint, fill them in.
After you fix the scratches and the paint dries, wash the outside of the machines with mild soap and water.
Important Washer Dryer Maintenance Tips to Live By
Your washer and dryer are important appliances that can handle whatever laundry load you throw at it. That is if you practice the right washer dryer maintenance steps.
If you fail to clean the machines or put them through too much stress, they will wear out before you want them to. Follow these steps to keep your machines going strong, and visit the Home Improvement section of our blog for more ways to take care of your appliances.
