Common Washing Machine Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
You’d be hard-pressed to find a modern-day household whose washing machine isn’t routinely put through its paces. While many washers are built to last, they’re not always equipped to withstand the consistent abuse and mistreatment such appliances commonly endure. No matter how robust your washing machine is, regular misuse is guaranteed to take its toll. Luckily, keeping your washer alive and kicking for the foreseeable future doesn’t have to be costly, challenging or time-consuming. Making an effort to avoid the following maintenance mishaps can help keep your washer running like new for years to come.
Failing to Have Problems Addressed in a Timely Manner
No one relishes having major appliances repaired. Since large-scale fixes can often prove costly, many of us go out of way to avoid enlisting the aid of seasoned pros whenever a big-ticket appliance finds itself on the fritz. While there’s no getting around the fact that appliance repair entails spending money, adopting a “wait and see” approach to any problems exhibited by your washing machine can have major consequences. Allowing small issues to fester into major problems not only stands to reduce the lifespan of your washer, it can also cost you a small fortune in repair bills.
So, in the interest of your washer’s continued good health and the wellbeing of your personal finances, make a point of having any issues with your washing machine professionally addressed ASAP. The longer you wait, the costlier the problem is likely to become. Even if you’re not keen on the idea of spending money, even the most frugal among us would agree that it’s better to spend a little bit on a small problem than a princely sum on a more consequential issue. When dealing with washing machine repair, it’s imperative that you act quickly.
Habitual Overloading
Habitual overloading is a problem in countless households. Since washing one enormous load eats up less time than washing multiple smaller loads, it’s easy to see why so many of us regularly go with the former. However, while it may be a timesaver, consistent overloading can cause irreparable damage to your washer’s drum. To help ensure that the drum remains intact, make a point of sticking to the load sizes recommended by your washer’s owner’s manual. In addition, take care to wash heavy items, like towels and comforters, in smaller loads.
Never Cleaning the Machine
Many of us don’t realize that washing machines need to be cleaned. Seeing as these devices are constantly filled with soap and water, we simply assume that washers basically clean themselves every time we do a load. While this rationale is certainly understandable, it’s also very misguided. In performing its job, your washing machine builds up quite a bit of soap residue, which can lead to mildew – and smelly clothes. To nip this problem in the bud, periodically run the washer on a hot cycle and substitute detergent for two cups of white vinegar. Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of vinegar, premade washing machine cleaning tablets may be right up your alley.
Leaving Wet Clothes in the Washer
Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine may seem harmless, but doing so ultimately stands to damage the washer and make your clothing stink. The dampness of freshly-washed clothes combined with moisture in the drum can facilitate the formation of bacteria, mildew and mold. In addition to dirtying up your washer, letting wet clothes sit for extended periods is liable to imbue those clothes with an unpleasant odor. The good news is that this problem can be easily remedied by removing wet clothing from the washer immediately after the cycle has been completed.
Few modern appliances are more essential than washing machines. Unfortunately, most households don’t realize the true value of these devices until they find themselves without a functional washer. Given how much use the average washing machine gets, there’s little wonder as to why washers incur wear and tear at a much faster rate than other major appliances. However, considering the high cost of a dependable washer, it stands to reason that most budget-conscious households would want their washing machines to last for as long as possible. Families who want their washer to enjoy a long life would be wise to avoid the mistakes discussed above.
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