On average, a washing machine should reach an age of eleven years. Manufacturers usually claim their life expectancy is ten years. However, most of us find ourselves replacing these important household appliances after about eight years due to wear and tear. This means we should be able to get more out of these appliances. Here are five major ways to avoid an early retirement for your washing machine.
1. Zippers
Zippers can cause a lot of damage to your washing machine. If they are not zipped closed, they can scratch the inside of your washing machine drum. They are in fact the main suspect of damages to the glass in your washing machine door. The same goes for clothings with metal attachments that have sharpe edges, which may include your favourite jacket.
Solution: make sure all zippers are closed before you start your washing machine. Make sure to hand-wash clothing items with metal and sharp edged bits.
2. Not replacing your Washing Machine Hose
Imagine waking up to a flooded house… Over time, the hose of your washing machine can get brittle and finally burst open. Regularly inspect your washing machine to make sure the hose is still in good shape.
Solution: Make sure to replace the hose every three to five years.
3. Overdosing your Detergent
Did you know that using more laundry detergent does not actually help make your clothes any cleaner or smell fresher? In fact, it can utterly backfire and make your clothes dirtier. It also causes the washing machine to use more energy, because it constantly has to stop to break down the excess detergent remains. This damages the pump and the motor.
Check the water hardness and adjust your detergent dosage accordingly. The dosing advice on detergent packages is calculated for various hardness values (in German degrees (°dH) commonly). Your water supplier should be able to inform you of the water hardness levels in your area. You can also use a water softener.
4. Leaving Wet Clothes in the Washing Machine
Leaving the wet laundry inside your washing machine after it finishes washing is bad for your clothes. Wet clothes left unattended for a longer period of time will cause mold. This causes bad smells inside your washing machine and damage to the electrical parts.
Solution: Make sure to remove your laundry after finishing the washing cycle and leave the door of the washing machine open so it can air out.
5. Not cleaning the washing machine
After being in use for a longer time, you may find your machine washing your clothes less clean than you grew accustomed to. One of the causes can be that the washing machine obtained residual soap and other minerals inside.
Solution: Proper and regular maintenance of your washing machine results in better performance and cleaner laundry. Make sure to descale your appliance and clean thoroughly, especially in the door rubber and washing machine drum.
