Washing machine care - top loading

Got a top-loading washing machine you want to keep from getting icky? There are some easy maintenance tasks you can do to keep your washer from needing a deep clean. 

With each use:

Be mindful of how much bleach and detergent you use in each load. Take a quick look at the back of your detergent bottle, it will tell you how much is too much. Regularly over-using bleach and detergent can wear out the parts that keep your machine from leaking and gunk up the works. Keeping your washing machine door open when it’s not in use can help it dry out and prevent funkiness. Funk - good for music, bad for washing machines. 

Wash your towels with warm or hot water. Using hotter water will help the washer clear out accumulated soil and detergent better. 

Monthly:

Do a quick-clean on your appliance. If your washer has a cleaning setting, that’s a good approach. If it doesn’t, set your washer for the hottest water and largest load setting. Add a cup of chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser and let it run. When that’s done, run a rinse and spin cycle. If you notice the detergent dispensers are getting gunky, give them a wipe-down with a damp towel. Take a moment and wipe down any spills on the outside of the machine as well, these can eat away at the protective enamels and encourage rusting. 

Quarterly :

There are three kinds of filters you might find on a top-load washing machine.

The first you might find is a lint filter. If you have one, it will be found in the agitator (that big spindle in the center) or along the top rim of the drum, or at the end of the drainage hose. To get to the ones in the agitator the top will usually twist off or its attached to the side. If it’s in the basin there’s a trap door of sorts that should be visible. 

The pump filters are usually found behind an access panel along the front or rear bottom of the washing machine. They’re pretty easy to spot, see something that looks like an access door.

Lastly, and most annoyingly, there’s the water inlet filter. These keep sediment from the water line from reaching your machine.To reach these, turn off the hot and cold water supplies to your machine. Disconnect the hose from the back of the washing machine. Have a bucket handy to catch the water left in the hose. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to reach into the outlet and remove the filter. Wash it off and return it to the outlet. 

Following these tips will help keep your washing machine lasting a long time. 

Ain’t got time for that nonsense? We do. Ask about our custom monthly maintenance plans for your home.