Performing regular maintenance on your washing machine will extend its life.
A good washing machine costs over $1,000. Although this might sound a bit costly – keep in mind that washers are supposed to last you more than a decade, so that’s only $100/year or less. In order to assure that your washer lives past its life expectancy, you should perform regular self-maintenance on it.
According to House Logic, when not in use, keep the door open. This will “foster air circulation and prevent mold” from growing. They also recommend that you “dry the washer’s door and gaskets…” after each wash. Each month they recommend you simply check for loose hoses and tighten them if they are loose, as well as cleaning “rubber gaskets and drums… with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.” You should also replace hoses once every half-decade.
Nonetheless, every once in a while you should rinse out your washing machine by running a solution of Clorox and water using the shortest cycle. This will clean out your washing machine – killing any and all microbes. If you want to clear any mineral buildup, run a vinegar solution through the shortest cycle – however this may cost a whole bottle of vinegar, depending on the size of your smallest load.
Finally, according to New Jersey Newsroom, if you’re going to go on a vacation for longer than six days, you should turn off your main water supply and unplug your washing machine.
If your washer does need washer appliance repair, contact us!