5 Tips For Maintaining Your Washing Machine

1. Make sure the washing machine is level

This is an often overlooked issue but one that can greatly impact your washing machine.

If your machine is on uneven ground or sits unlevelled, it can cause it to vibrate more than it should and even move across the floor. This causes the drum to spin unevenly resulting in less efficiency and damage over time. Make sure all four corners of the machine touch the ground and that the machine itself sits level. Check your machine’s manual for instructions on adjusting it.

2. Check the washing machine hoses

Make sure the hoses that connect the machine to the tap are not kinked, bent or cracked. Kinks put extra pressure on the hoses and could cause a leak or a flood.

3. Don’t leave wet clothes inside the machine

Always remove finished loads as soon as possible. Leaving wet clothes in the machine can result in a build-up of mould in the drum and on your clothes! For a front loader, it’s also a good idea to leave the door ajar after use to let air circulate and prevent mould and mildew.

4. Don’t overfill

Check your machine’s load weight and avoid going over it. Oversized or heavy loads will cause the machine to go off balance, meaning they have to work harder. This ultimately leads to reduced spin efficiency and damage to your machine.

5. Regularly clean your washing machine

Run a cleaning cycle every 1-2 weeks, depending on how many loads you do per week. To do this, select a warm wash to break down the build-up of soap and conditioner. The best way to keep your machine pristine is to do a hot wash with a descaling product at least every 6 months.

You should also remove and clean out the drain pump filter every few weeks and/or when you notice slow draining, longer than normal cycles or excessive vibrating. Hair, lint, fabric and dirt can clog them. Check your machine’s manual for the exact location and how to clean the filter. It is usually located at the bottom corner of the front of the machine behind a small access door. There may also be hair, lint and residue on the door seal, which should be cleaned regularly.

A build-up of residue from detergent and conditioner can cause the detergent drawer to leak and block. Clean the drawer regularly or when you start to notice soap residue building up.

If you have concerns about your washing machine and are experiencing issues despite taking steps to regularly maintain it, more extensive repairs may be needed. Check your warranty information or give our Appliance Repair team a call on 1300 712 028