Black stains on laundry?
Lint all over your washing?
Is your washing machine looking or smelling grungy?
Just want to keep your washer in peak performance?
Spend a few minutes cleaning it up, so it continues to serve you well.
1) Always check your pockets for coins, hair clips, tissues or other items before you put your clothes into the washer. Any foreign items will block the drainage and cause your washer to stop working.
2) Try to minimise your use of fabric softener, this is no good for your washer, we say it acts like cement in your washing machine, causing excessive grime build up in your machine, which will eventually end up as black stains on your laundry.
3) Never overload your machine, this will put unnecessary pressure onto your washer and will cause it to break down.
4) For high water efficiency washing machines, i.e. 4 Star water rating or Front Load washers, use a low sud washing powder, which is designed for these type of washers. Front load washing powder is ideal.
5) For high water efficiency machines, use your heavy duty load at least once a week, even if you don't need to. This will ensure your machine recycles out all the old water and makes your washer work better.
1. Exterior
Wipe down the exterior of the washing machine with a damp cloth and vinegar or your favorite all-purpose cleaner.
2. Tub
Pour 1/2 Box Epson Salt directly into the tub, run the washer on the highest water setting, using HOT water and a Heavy Duty setting, let the washer run through half its agitating cycle, then pause the washer (either by pressing pause button or lifting the lid, then Let washer sit overnight, finish the cycle the following morning. This will remove any odors, stains and detergent build up.
3. Lid/Door
Scrub around the edge of the lid/door with vinegar to remove mildew and detergent build up.
4. Bleach and Fabric Softener Dispensers
Remove the bleach and fabric softener dispensers, and scrub them in the sink. Then, dry them thoroughly and return them to the machine. Note: This is for front load washers only.
5. Lint Filters
Remove lint filters to empty the lint into the bin, clean lint filter carefully with warm water to remove any residue
1. To prevent mildewing, leave the lid open after you finish a load to allow the washing machine to dry out.
2. Commercial fabric softeners leave build up in the machine. Make vinegar your fabric softer of choice, and the inside of your washing machine won't need to be cleaned as frequently – if at all.
3. While you're cleaning your washing machine, inspect the washer hoses to make sure they're still firmly in place.
Problem: Clothes not washing properly i.e suds on the clothes, clothes still dirty after washing.
Solution: Firstly, you must ensure not to overload your washer, that is if its a 7kg washing machine, that means it can only handle 7kg of wet clothes. In addition, if you are using a high water efficiency machine, run your washer through a heavy duty cycle a couple of times. It is also good practice to use front load washing powder in your washer, as it suds less and works better in the high water efficiency washing machines.
Problem: The water won't drain from the tub.
Solution: Check the drainage hose to ensure it's not kinked or clogged. If it's clear and in good shape, carefully try running the drainage hose to the drain in your floor, if the water runs out, please call 1st choice for service as your pump may be faulty.
Problem: The washer is very noisy.
Solution: Most times it's an unbalanced or too heavy load. The washer may not be balanced. Check with a level and adjust the legs accordingly.
Problem: Black stains on laundry?
Solution: Most likely build up of fabric softener, go through steps outlined above to clean your washer thoroughly.
Problem: Lint or fluff all over your washing?
Solution: Inspect and clean your lint filter, beware that some washing machines have 2 lint filters.