Washer Care and Maintenance

Tips for Maintaining your Clothes Washing Machine

There are Basically two styles of Washing Machines.  The Standard Top Loading Washer and the more energy efficient Front Load Washers.  Most of the Tips below will apply to both styles of Washers.

Do Not Overload your Washing Machine

Front Load Washing Machine

Filling the washer past it's recommended fill capacity will only cause problems.  Most washers are belt driven and this will cause undue stress on the belt and cause it to slip or possibly break.

Use the Recommended amount of Detergent

Using to much detergent will not get your clothescleaner.  A lot of the newer machines will not be able to drain properly if there are too many suds in the wash water.  Front Load Washer will leak from the suds getting to high in the overflow tube.  This will also cause the machine to stop and your clothes will not wash anyway.

Best Detergent for a Front Load Washer

Don't Treat Clothes on Top of your Washer

Spaying pre-wash soil and stain removers on articles of clothing on top of the washer will stain and corrode the painted and plastic surfaces on your machine.  Most washer tops are painted with Porcelain Enamel, which is very resistant, but can still be damaged or discolored.

Cleaning the Fabric Softener Dispenser

Fabric softeners are waxy and can gum up in the washer if introduced undiluted with water before dispensing. So mix them with water before use. If there's a fabric softener dispenser on your machine, add the recommended amount and then top off with water. If you're pouring from a cup, use a 3-to-1 ratio of softener to water.

Replace Fill Hose Screens

Remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine. The screens get clogged with sediment and/or mineral buildup. Because they're difficult to reseat—improperly installed, they can jam open an internal valve—replace them with flat screened washers (available at most hardware stores) in the end of the hose. Be extra careful when removing and replacing hoses, as the plastic threads on the intakes at the back of the washer are easily stripped.  Every five years: Replace rubber water-supply hoses if they're splitting, cracking or are losing flexibility.  Rubber replacement hoses last five years, but hoses that use a braided-jacket of stainless steel, although more expensive, last at least twice as long.

Turn off the Water to your Washer when your not using it

How to Winterize your Washer

Turn off the hot and cold water faucets going to your washer between washdays.  I know this seems unreasonable but believe me it's worth the time.  This will prevent pressure strain on the hoses.  You should occasionally check your fill hoses to make sure they are not kinked, bent or have bulges in them.  You don't want to come home to a flooded house. Water damage can be costly.