Most of us don’t think about how to maintain our appliances. After all, we buy them for the convenience of our household chores. Even though all our machines come with manuals and instructions on how to take care of them, they are usually left inside the box, never to be cracked open after they’ve been set up. And in truth, there’s nothing wrong with that. Maintenance often just means using the machine properly and cleaning it out regularly.
With that said, washing machine cleaning is one of the most neglected chores in every household. This can lead to some very unpleasant consequences and shortens the lifespan of your device. Here are the things you need to know about to maintain your washing machine properly.
How Do I Know When it’s Time to Clean My Washing Machine?
Whether you own a brand-new washing machine or an older one, it might be difficult to gauge when exactly is the time to clean it. Washing machines will typically appear clean and smell like detergent, especially with frequent use, but there are signs you have to look out for to be sure.
- Unpleasant odours — this is an obvious and immediate sign that your machine is in desperate need of cleaning. It is often the result of a build-up of mould from leftover bacteria in the machine’s basket. If left unchecked, it can attach to your clothes and towels, leading to respiratory problems.
- Black, slimy residue — you’ll spot this near or around the door seal and inside the drum. It’s usually caused by a build-up of leftover detergent and fabric softener residue. Over time, this can come away and start leaving black marks on your clothes, towel, and other items.
- Black spots on clothing — these are caused by two things, either soap scum or limescale. Limescale build-up on pipes and elements of your washing machine can happen if you live in a hard water area. This can lead to serious breakdowns requiring expensive repairs.
Watch out for these signs to determine if your washing machine requires deep cleaning.
How Often Should Washing Machine Cleaning Take Place?
Ideally, you should clean your washing system at least once a month or every two months, depending on your usage. However, realistically this is far from the typical behaviour. The most obvious question being: ‘why bother cleaning an appliance that is designed to clean other items?’
It may seem unnecessary, but every machine will eventually accumulate build-up and bacteria just from regular usage, so you’ll need to make an effort to do it at least once every month to maintain its condition.
How to Clean Washing Machines
To start the washing machine cleaning process, you’ll need an all-purpose cleaner to wipe out all of the interiors and the seals around the machine’s door. Remove any lint or string which may have been left in the washing machine drum. Next, remove the drain filter and throw out any accumulated debris into the trash. Make sure that you rinse it well before replacing it inside the machine. Ready a big bowl next to you if you need to catch any excess water.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning a washing machine may feel counterintuitive and like a chore. That’s understandable. If you’re able to clean your machine even as often as twice or thrice a year, that is much better than never cleaning it at all. However, for proper maintenance and certainty that your clothes and health don’t suffer, it’s best to follow the recommended once-a-month schedule.
If you are having a hard time staying on top of your washing machine maintenance, allow us to help you. Wonderklean is a high-quality deep cleaning service provider in Malaysia that ensures your household items and appliances are cleaned thoroughly and effectively. Our Wonderklean services cover a range of different items, including washing machine cleaning service, professional mattress cleaning service, indoor disinfection service and more.
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