I want to get the longest life possible from my washing machine, which is heavily used by my large family. What kind of tips or advice can you offer to help keep it up and running smoothly?
Wayne Marsh of Little Rock, owner of Wayne Marsh Maytag Service, has been a Maytag repairman since 1967. Through his decades of work he has amassed several helpful tips:
“When the washer is not in use, put the lid up and leave it open so it can air out and dry,” he says. “That way, it’s less likely to get mildew and mold in it and it stops rust from taking hold.”
Marsh says he actually learned that tip from his customers.
“Some of them had old washing machines that looked just like brand new and with all of them, it was because they left the lids open when they weren’t in use.”
When it comes to using bleach, Marsh suggests that those doing the laundry use it sparingly.
“I realize sometimes you need to use it, but some people think they need to use it all the time,” he says. “Doing so will cause the machine to rust.”
And, he adds, the amount of concentrated detergent needed to wash clothes properly varies depending upon location.
“You can’t go by the directions on the package,” he says.
“It isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ type of thing. Here in Arkansas we have the softest water in the United States; it’s as soft as rainwater,” Marsh says. “Cut the directions down to a little less than half of what they say to use and that will be just about the right amount.”
State Farm Insurance’s online Learning Center offers the following tips to help prevent problems with the much-used and much-needed home appliance, including leaks that could lead to expensive water damage.
Inspect the water hoses.
Check regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks around hose ends, replacing when problems are found - or every three to five years - to avoid problems.
Leave at least 4 inches between your washing machine and the wall to prevent hoses from kinking.
Make sure the machine is level. One that isn’t can move across the floor during the spin cycle, damaging the floor or the machine. To balance it, turn the legs clockwise to lower and counterclockwise to raise.
Clean the lint filter. The lint collector may be located in the agitator tube (the center column of most machines) or near the top of the tub.
Remove soap residue and buildup by running washing machine cleaner or a combination of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water through the cycle on an empty tub.
Dry the rubber seal around the door of a front-loading washer after doing your laundry.
Using too much detergent can leave residue on clothes and cause excess wear and tear on your washer.
Don’t overburden the machine. Use the correct amount of water for the size of the load and wash bulky or heavy items in small amounts to help lighten the load.
Keep a drip pan under the washer, especially in an upstairs laundry room, to prevent water leaks from damaging lower floors.
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or e-mail:
HomeStyle, Pages 29 on 04/19/2014