The washing machine may be one of the most misunderstood appliances in the home. Because it is constantly loaded up with soap and bleach, many people are under the impression that the washer never gets dirty, and that could not be further from the truth. Have you ever opened the washer to a musty smell? Are your clothes not smelling quite as fresh as they usually do? This could be because the washing machine is dirty.
Use the Right Detergent – today’s washing machines are a far cry from the wringer-arm units many of us grew up with as children. Most of the machines on the market today are energy-efficient and are likely to require a specific detergent. Check your owner’s manual to ensure you are purchasing the proper detergent, as some machines use high-efficiency (HE) detergents that create fewer suds.
Leave the Door Open – this is one of the most important tips we can offer in terms of keeping that musty smell out of the washer. When you are doing wash for the day, leave the lid open and allow the washer time to dry out naturally before closing the lid again. If not, you are promoting the growth of mold and mildew inside the drum.
Wash It – If you have a front-loading washer, you are going to want to give the door seals a wipe-down after every load. Additionally, regardless of the type of washer you have, you should be cleaning the washer once a month. This can be done with a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution, or you can purchase cleaning packs and run them through a cycle. This will help keep the drum clean and fresh, so your clothes come out just the way you like them!
Easy on the Detergent – more soaps gets things cleaner, right? Wrong! If you have too much soap in the machine, it will not only fail to rinse the clothes properly, but it can also lead to significant residue buildup in the washing machine itself. If that is the case, it can cause undo wear and tear on the machine, which, of course, leads to you having to call in the appliance repair technician to fix it. The last thing you want to do on an expensive washing machine is shorten its lifespan.
