The washing machine maintenance is crucial for all households. The truth is, our washing machines work hard. In India, we have to deal with dust, hard water, and tough stains. That’s a heavy responsibility to place on any single appliance. If you want your washing machine to last, give it some love.
Good washing machine maintenance is not just about fixing issues when they arise. It is about preventing them. Whether you have a front-load or top-load washing machine, good maintenance habits apply to both.
We’ve prepared a list of easy yet effective tips to help you keep your appliances in great condition. The tips mentioned here are simple and effective ways to maintain all popular brands of washing machines, including LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool.
Have an idea of purchasing one: 9 Best Washing Machines in India: Our Top Picks and Review
Why is Washing Machine Maintenance Important?
You may wonder, what’s the point of doing it? Your machine can clean itself, right? Dirt, detergent residues, and minerals accumulate over time. Resulting in bad smells, poor cleaning ability, and ultimately leading to machine breakdowns.
Regular washing machine maintenance helps to increase its lifespan. It ensures efficient use of energy. A clean washing machine consumes less water and electricity. Regular maintenance can save you a good amount of money in the long run. Nobody likes smelly clothes.
Related: Washing Machine Buying Guide India: Key Factors to Consider
11 Standard Maintenance Tips to Follow
1. Don’t Overload the Machine
This is the most common fault. We all want to do our laundry quickly. But filling the drum to full capacity is a bad idea. It strains the motor. Damages the drum bearing. Your clothes will not get clean as well.
Overloading a washing machine is a way to create a problem. Leave some space. Clothes need enough space to move around. A good way to follow is to keep the machine only 3/4th full.
2. Use the Right Detergent
Using the wrong detergent leads to problems. We have hard water. We need a detergent which can handle this. Using excess detergent is also bad. Too much soap generates excessive foam. Leaves deposits on your clothes. Keeps building up inside the washing machine.
Find good washing machine detergents available in India. Use High Efficiency (HE) detergents. Use the recommended amount. Sometimes, “less is more.” Good detergents help remove built-up detergents from the washing machine over time.
3. Clean the Detergent Drawer
Take out your detergent drawer. Yes, check it out. You’ll see a layer of grime? It contaminates your freshly laundered clothes.
Remove the detergent drawer. Keep it immersed in hot water. Clean any grime or mold using an old toothbrush. Dry it thoroughly. Do this task once a month. Good washing machine care tips are incomplete without cleaning the detergent drawer. It helps to eliminate the bad odor that comes from the washing machine and ensures good dispensing of detergent.
4. Clean the Lint Trap Filters
Several machines have a lint filter. It helps to remove hair and threads. If the lint filter is clogged, then the water takes time to drain. The washing machine may experience difficulty in spinning.
Find out the location of the filter. You can find it either inside the drum agitator or near the drain pump. Remove any lint accumulation. Clean it with water. A clean filter ensures good drainage and also protects the pump. This is mainly essential to take good care of a front-load washing machine.
Related: 7 Best Front Load Washing Machines in India: Our Top Picks
5. The Water Inlet Filter
In India, water supply pipes can contain dust and sand particles. Your machine comes equipped with a water inlet filter to filter out such impurities. In case it gets choked, water cannot fill up the drum properly.
Turn off the tap. Remove the inlet hose. You will find a small mesh filter. Clean it gently with a soft-bristled brush. This is a vital self-care step for washing machines that deals with problems related to low water pressure.
6. Cleaning the Rubber Gasket—Specific for Front Load Machine
Front-load washing machines are convenient and easy to operate. However, they have a weak point—the rubber gasket (door seal). Water accumulates between this gasket and the door and creates conditions favorable to mold growth.
Poorly maintained rubber door seals are a major reason behind unpleasant odors from front-load washing machines. Clean the rubber gasket after every wash. Once a week, give it a thorough cleaning. Mix water with vinegar and use it to clean the gasket.
Related: Front Load vs. Top Load Washing Machine in India: Which Is Best for Your Home?
7. Descaling—Controlling Hard Water
If you reside in a region with hard water, then limescale is a challenge to deal with. It deposits on the heater, blocks pipes, and causes the washer to make unnecessary noises.
To deal with it, descaling your washing machine periodically is essential. You can use white vinegar or a commercial descaling product. Run a hot empty cycle. Add the descaling agent to the washing machine drum. It helps in eliminating mineral deposits. White vinegar is a good method to deal with hard water problems for all washing machine users. Do it every 3 months.
8. Clean the Drum
Even washing machine drums need to be cleaned. Bacterial and stain-forming substances stick to the interior walls of the drum.
Check if your washing machine comes with a ‘self-clean’ feature. If yes, run that cycle. If not, run a hot cycle with vinegar. Do not add any clothes to it. It is a good way to remove bacteria and odors from the washing machine.
9. Leave the Door Open
The easiest of all the tips is to keep the washing machine door slightly open after you’ve done washing. Allow the drum to dry completely.
Any moisture retained within can lead to mold formation. A clean and dry drum is a “happy drum.” Keeping the washing machine door slightly ajar can help us avoid the problem of “wet dog” smell. It is the fundamental habit for maintaining a clean and hygienic washing machine.
10. Check the Hoses
There are hoses at the back of your washing machine that supply water and discharge wastewater. Check them at least once a year.
Look out for any cracks, bulges, or leaks. A burst hose can lead to flooding of your home. Change the hoses after 3-5 years of usage. Use stainless steel braided hoses for better safety. Washing machine leaks can be avoided with these hoses.
11. Level the Machine
Your washing machine is dancing around on the floor. It shakes vigorously during the spin cycle. The possible reason could be that it’s not properly balanced.
Adjust the feet of the washing machine and use a level to ensure it’s straight. A steady washing machine produces minimal vibrations and has a longer lifespan. Unevenly loaded clothes can also create unnecessary movements; hence, always distribute clothes evenly. This helps to maintain the washing machine’s suspension system and drum.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, things can go wrong.
The machine won’t start? Check the power cord. Check the door locking system. Ensure that the water supply is turned on.
Machine not draining? Check if there are any blockages in the drain hose. Clean the drain pump filter—it may be clogged by a coin or a button.
Machine making noise? It could be an unevenly loaded machine. Alternatively, it could be due to worn-out bearings. If you hear a grinding sound, contact a professional.
Being able to identify common issues with washing machines enables you to decide if you can resolve them yourself or need to contact a technician.
DIY Cleaning Solution
You don’t need to buy expensive detergents. You can create your own.
For the drum: 2 cups of white vinegar. 1/4 cup of baking soda. Run a hot cycle.
For the gasket: A mix of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar. Spray it on. Clean it.
For the exterior: Dampen a cloth with mild dish soap. Clean the control panel and lid. These are simple and natural washing machine cleaning tips.
Conclusions
Properly taking care of your appliances is no big deal. All it requires is some self-discipline. Follow these washing machine maintenance tips regularly. Your machine will be grateful to you. It will function well. It will have a longer life, and your clothes will be fresh and clean all the time. Do not wait until your machine breaks down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Once a month would be ideal. Give the drum and the gasket a thorough cleaning job. Clean the external body every week.
Mold and mildew are most likely causes of unpleasant smells from washing machines. These fungi grow in damp areas such as the gasket or drain. Run a hot cycle with vinegar to eliminate the problem.
Yes, but with caution. Use a small amount of bleach. Excessive amounts of bleach can damage the rubber parts. Vinegar is safer and gentler.
No—or rather, it depends. You can wash your shoes in a mesh bag using cold water. Washing shoes in a machine can put excessive strain on the machine’s drum, so try to limit how often you do this.