How to Extend the Life of Your Washing Machine and Dryer

If you’ve ever bought a washing machine, you will know that it’s a pretty serious investment. Costing anywhere from £200 to £1000, it’s easy to see why homeowners would want to get as much out of this appliance as possible. From cleaning tips to regular inspections, there are a number of things you can do to keep your washing machine in great condition and avoid unnecessary washing machine repairs. Read on to find out!

Clean Your Washing Machine

Over time, a build up of soap residue in your washing machine can cause your clothes to start smelling pretty funky. It can also seriously damage your washing machine if left unchecked, so it’s best to get this fixed as soon as possible.

The simplest and most effective way to clean your washing machine is as follows.

1. Find a washing machine cleaning product that you trust, remove any debris from the rubber gasket and spritz the inside of the machine.
2. Let the formula sit for 30 minutes before running an empty cycle on hot.
3. Once the cycle has finished, use an old toothbrush to clean the fabric and bleach dispensers.
4. Once you’ve finished the cleaning process, make sure that you always leave the washing machine door open to air it out.

Remove Loads as Soon as Possible

We’re all guilty of accidentally leaving a finished load of washing in the machine for too long, but don’t make a habit out of it. Leaving clothes in the machine can cause a build up of mold and mildew, something which could seriously damage the machine in the long term.

Most modern washing machines will make a beeping noise to alert you when the cycle has finished, but if you want something a little more sophisticated, you could also download the coordinating app on your phone to get a push notification too.

Check Your Pockets

You probably don’t need us to tell you this, but leaving sharp items in the pockets of your clothes can seriously damage your washing machine. While the odd receipt might not ruin the system, coins and keys will certainly cause some problems.

In the event that you do forget to clear out your pockets, make sure you check the drain pump filter once the cycle has finished, as this is designed to catch these renegade items.

Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Filter

The easiest thing to do to keep your dyer in top condition is to clean the lint filter regularly. Not only will this keep your dryer running optimally, it will also minimise the risk of fire. So for a ten-second job, it’s certainly worth doing!