6 common washing machine mistakes to avoid
Get the most out of this essential appliance.
1. Give it a deep clean
It seems counter intuitive that you would have to clean something that spends its whole life cleaning, but you really should. You can make your own washing machine cleaner with three quarters of a cup of bleach and a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Let the solution run through a soak cycle, then run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the bleach is gone.
2. Empty your pockets
We’ve all done it – thrown in a jumper or pair of pants and left coins, keys or tissues in the pocket. These things can actually damage your machine, either through the metal scratching up the drum and damaging the glass door of a front loader, or shredded paper clogging up the workings. Make sure you check the pockets of all your clothes before you put them in.
3. Keep the door open
Did you know you should leave the door of your washing machine open after every cycle? It allows moisture from inside to evaporate, reducing the risk of developing mould and mildew.
4. Clean the surface
The outside of your machine should stay just as clean as the inside. If you get dirt, laundry detergent or stain remover on the surface, wipe it off with a clean cloth straight away. Also be wary of scratches from metal zippers or fastenings. Damage to the enamel outer surface can result in rust or dirt becoming engrained in it.
5. Don’t overload it
The drum of a washing machine is a delicately balanced mechanism. Jam too many clothes in and you run the risk of upsetting it. If you run too many heavy loads over time you can break it altogether. Plus washing too much at once means that your laundry won’t be very clean.
6. Keep the hoses neat
Hoses connecting the machine to the taps or sink should be kept straight and unkinked. As they become older, sharp bends can cause the rubber to deteriorate faster. You should also keep an eye on the quality of the seals on both ends. A faulty hose can quickly turn into a flooded house.