Extend the Life of Your Washing Machine With These Three Tips
Posted on: 24 November 2015
A washing machine that breaks down can quickly have you scrambling to get your family's laundry done in a timely manner. Of course, it's best to immediately contact an appliance repair service, such as Affordable Appliance Repair, and arrange for a technician to visit your home to get your washing machine up and running again. However, you have an opportunity to change how you use the appliance to help it last as long as possible. Here are three simple ways you can help your washing machine last as long as possible.
Adjust the Feet to Ensure the Machine is Level
If you find that your washing machine is excessively noisy during its spin cycle, then it may be vibrating more than the manufacturer intended. Over time, these repeated vibrations can be detrimental to the health of the unit; when it's consistently vibrating, it's at risk of wearing prematurely or having something inside becoming loose. When the machine is empty, press on each corner firmly to see which corner isn't level with the others. When you've identified the culprit, have a strong helper lean the machine back so you can access the foot and screw the foot, as needed, until it's even with the others. This process requires a trial-and-error approach, but once the machine is level it will drastically reduce its vibration.
Cut Back On Your Detergent Use
It can be tempting to load plenty of detergent into your washing machine, especially if your clothing is particularly dirty. Too much soap, however, will force the machine to work harder, which can shorten its lifespan. Additionally, too much detergent can lead to clothing that has some soapy residue, which will prompt you to run another rinse cycle, thus further aging the machine.Check your machine's manual carefully to determine the ideal amount of detergent to use, and then stick to that guideline. In many cases, you'll find that you don't have to use as much detergent as you might have thought.
Clean the Machine Regularly
You might not think about the need to clean your washing machine, but doing so can keep it working optimally -- and also cut down on the mildew smell that is common with old machines. Although you should check your manual to determine the appropriate cleaning interval, the general rule is the clean the machine twice per year. Many modern machines have a cleaning cycle; otherwise, you can set the machine to a hot cycle and add vinegar, which will remove sediment and built-up soap residue.
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