You also know the nostalgic sighs of those who remember that today’s cars or electrical appliances don’t last, and that in their younger days a washing machine could run for two decades without any problems. They’re exaggerating just a little. Several facts played a part in this. Appliances in those days were very simple and not very powerful. Most of the parts were easy for their owners to replace or repair, which is not possible with today’s over-technologized smart appliances. The lower power of washing machines reduced the rate of wear and tear.
And besides, housewives took much better care of their washing machines. Today, we take our washing machines for granted and can’t imagine life without them. And because we take the washing machine for granted, we paradoxically don’t think about whether we are shortening its life by getting it wrong. A washing machine doesn’t need much care.
Doors
It will help your washing machine if you leave the door open between washes. Just leave it ajar, it doesn’t have to be wide open. If the door is closed, the moisture left in the washing machine after washing and removing the laundry has nowhere to evaporate and will remain inside. Bacteria and mould thrive in the moisture, which can damage the laundry and the washing machine itself.
Regular cleaning
Like a dishwasher, for example, a washing machine needs to be kept clean. And it’s not just the mold and bacteria from the last paragraph. At least once a month, you should run the washing machine empty, with only detergent. Nowadays, they even sell cleaning products designed just for washing machines. After one cycle with the cleaner, run the washing machine on empty one more time, this time with just water. In addition, you should:
- Clean the strainer at the drain hose once a month
- Once every six months, measure the hardness of the water and check the supply and drain hoses.
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Washing machine alignment
We’ve already mentioned that today’s washing machines are much more powerful than previous generations. And although they try to be quiet and as insulated as possible, washing still causes strong vibrations. These can result in damage to the floor or the feet on which the washing machine stands. It’s a good idea to place the washing machine on an insulating pad that protects the floor and the washing machine itself. And check once in a while that the washing machine is really straight. If it is not, the feet need to be realigned or the washer needs to be replaced. An unlevel washing machine puts an uneven load on the floor and can damage it more easily.