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This Method Will Significantly Extend your Washing Machine's Lifespan

11 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Washer

By ShadiPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Introduction:

It’s very likely that over the years, your washing machine has been overused. It’s probably had more than its fair share of sticky clothes, dingy socks, grass stains, coffee spills, and other assorted “debris”. Unfortunately, all of this debris ends up lodged in the tiny gaps and cracks in the internal workings of the washer. Over time, this debris can cause the machine to lose efficiency, and even cause it to break down completely.

But there is good news. If you take a little time to maintain your washing machine, you could enjoy it much longer. When my old washing machine died, I was given expert advice on how to maximize the lifespan of washing machines and I can say with certainty that this method works so I am here to share it with you.  

I will also give you some more top 10 tips on how to keep your washing machine like new.

How does this method work?

This is a rather simple and straightforward method and does not require any special skills. All you need is a bottle of vinegar and you are ready to start. Running some vinegar through your washing machine once every couple of months will clean out all of that debris, and significantly extend the life of your washing machine. You see, vinegar produces acetic acid. This acid eats away the dirt and grease that has accumulated in all those little nooks and crannies in the machine and keeps everything nice and clean.

First make sure that the drum is empty. Start the washer and pour some vinegar in the detergent drawer, as well as in the drum (750ml of vinager should be enough). Set the program to run at a high temperature and let it complete the entire cycle.

Once you've let it run for the entire cycle, you can start using your washer again. Rest assured, there will be no bad smell as vinegar will be completely rinsed away from the system and your washer will smell like new.

More Tips:

If you are looking to prolong the life of your washing machine, here are ten more tips to consider:

  1. Do not overload the spin basket. Try to keep the load at about half full. Otherwise, you could damage the balancing system. And your clothes won't wash properly either. 
  2. Do not use fabric softener or any other type of detergent additives. They can leave residues on the inside of the washer. These residues will eventually clog the drain and cause other problems with your appliance. 
  3. Always check the pockets and the inside of clothes before putting laundry into the machine. Some hidden items could damage your washing machine. 
  4. Change the filter every 3 months
  5. Wash the drawers regularly. 
  6. Use shorter cycles and avoid too hot water. 
  7. Don't use too much detergent
  8. Read the manual provided by the manufacturer and do not ignore the instructions provided there.
  9. Don't ignore the malfunctioning signs. If your washing machine starts acting weird have it checked by a service technician. This could prevent further complications from happening. 
  10. Do not stack heavy stuff on top of your washing machine. 

Conclusion

A well-maintained washing machine can last for years. That would be much cheaper than buying new ones every now and then. The biggest cause of washing machine failure is clogging due to the accumulation of lint, dirt, and other foreign material. That is why running vinegar and hot water through your machine once every two months (for average use) is an important preventive maintenance step you should take. As long as you do not overdo this method, your washing machine should run much longer, especially if you follow the above 10 tips. 

Disclaimer

Some washing machine models, or pipes that connect to them, may not be suitable for the above method. Make sure you read the info provided by your manufacturer and that all the components are vinegar proof. 

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