Five Tips For Maintaining Your High Efficiency Washing Machine
You’ve color coordinated your new washing machine to the laundry room’s decor, and it’s ran like a workhorse for many months. Consumers are more than happy with their high efficiency (HE) washing machines when they’re brand new, but these appliances can’t perpetually operate without some maintenance. Reputable Milwaukee washing machine repair professionals advise everyone that HE washers have some extra care requirements. These five tasks are easily completed with some attention to detail, resulting in a finely tuned machine ready to take on the worst soil stains.
Wipe Rubber Seals Clean
HE washers are known for their energy conservation features, using small detergent amounts coupled with low water temperatures. These valuable features contribute to mold and film buildup, however. Because hot water is rarely used during HE cycles, these films slowly grow in size. In fact, mold and other growths often find their way into rubber door seals. Take some time out to wipe these seals clean of any contaminants using a soft rag. This simple cleaning task also preserves the rubber seal’s flexibility and strength. Leaking front-loading washers, for instance, often have neglected rubber seals.
Old Fashioned Manual Cleaning
The simplest cleaning technique involves bleach. Set the HE washer to a hot water cycle and add laundry bleach. Set the appliance to run for two cycles, allowing the washer to naturally wash the bleach out of its system. Bleach removes stains, films and other soil issues from the washer, leaving the appliance looking brand new once again.
Modern Maintenance Cycles
Depending on the HE washer model, the manufacturer may have added a separate maintenance cycle to the control panel. These specialized cycles take the place of manual or bleach processes. Once a month, simply set the machine onto the maintenance cycle and allow it to completely finish. Interior parts will emerge with clean surfaces and ready to wash the next laundry load.
Persistent Odors
Although modern HE washers are design marvels, they can develop persistent odors over time. Periodic cleaning processes usually remove any odors, but our professional help might be necessary in some cases. For example, there could be hidden mold behind core internal components. Our repair technicians must service the washer to permanently remove these noxious odors.
Reduce Machine Buildup with Proper Product Use
Proper product use within the washer complements frequent cleaning habits. For instance, select a detergent type and avoid mixing others into the machine. Use only powder or liquid, but never add them simultaneously to the washer. Films and clogs develop with improper product use. In addition, only use specific detergent amounts to avoid excess product buildup in the washer. Well-maintained appliances last for a decade or more.
If a thorough cleaning job doesn’t seem to fix all the appliance’s problems, contact a Milwaukee washing machine repair professional. We’re happy to take an expert look at any HE washer. Some appliances require extra care steps to operate like a brand new machine, for example. With an expert appliance technician by your side, laundry days become more efficient with pristine clothes exiting the washer after each cycle.
Photo by Anthony Crider from Flickr using Creative Commons license
