How to maintain your washing machine?

Maintaining your washing machine is essential to extending its lifespan. This reduces its environmental impact and saves you money. To ensure it works properly and lasts a long time, check out our maintenance tips.

How to maintain your washing machine over time?

Descale the inside of your washing machine with white vinegar

Just like the clothes you wash, the machine also needs to be cleaned at least twice a year. Over time, washing too frequently at low temperatures will cause the inside of the drum to become dirty, resulting in residue that comes off during washing and stains the laundry, as well as unpleasant odors emanating from the machine.

To avoid this, we recommend running your machine empty on a 90° program, adding half a liter of white vinegar. Once the machine has thoroughly mixed the liquids, pause the program and leave the mixture to work for 2 to 3 hours. Then restart the program and run it to completion for a deep clean.

Clean the detergent dispenser with white vinegar.

Laundry trays are usually removable and can be easily taken out. Use white vinegar and a little hot water to soak the tray for about 15 minutes. You can then clean and rinse it.

For front-loading washing machines, remember to clean the detergent dispenser with a sponge, warm water, and white vinegar, especially the upper part where the water enters. This prevents limescale from clogging the water inlet in the detergent compartment or causing water leaks from the detergent dispenser.

Empty and clean the drain filter

The drain filter is located at the bottom of the front panel of your appliance. It intercepts all deposits before they reach the drain. Maintaining it by emptying the water and regularly checking that it is not blocked will prevent foreign objects from blocking the drain pump. Depending on the model of machine, this only takes a few minutes. We recommend that you follow the instructions in your user manual.

Clean the door seals on the washing machine.

The main function of washing machine door and window seals is to ensure watertightness. They accumulate a lot of dust and dirt and hide a lot of mold and bacteria... A simple piece of dirt between the seal and the door can cause water to leak. It is therefore essential to clean the inside of these seals frequently with a damp sponge. Similarly, the drum seal is also an element to be taken into account for effective cleaning.

Clean the outside of your machine

Just like the inside, you will also need to clean the outside of your washing machine. To clean the outside of your machine, wipe the body and plastic parts with a sponge dampened with warm water, then dry with a soft cloth. Your machine will immediately look like new.

Clean the water inlet filter.

In some areas with hard water, a filter on the water supply may become clogged. This can result in much longer filling times or no filling at all, which can cause a direct failure.

To remedy this problem, immediately turn off the water supply and then unscrew the machine's inlet hose. Using pliers, pull on the filter to remove it. Finally, remove all impurities (sand, limescale) using a soft brush. A good water supply will save you time.

Leave the door open after each wash

Once the wash cycle is complete, remember to turn off the machine and leave the door open. This will allow moisture to escape from the machine and dry the door seal.

Then open the detergent drawer, which will also help it dry and prevent mold from forming. For laundry, if possible, opt for air drying, which uses less energy and is more environmentally friendly.

Follow the instructions for use of your machine.

Respect the laundry loads; an overloaded drum will result in poor washing and premature wear of mechanical parts. To ensure that your washing machine is not too full, you should be able to run your hand over the top of the laundry.

Follow the recommended detergent doses, as using too much detergent will cause excessive foaming. This can result in poor washing and rinsing, foam infiltrating certain mechanical parts, and even foam overflowing from the vent in the tub.

Empty your pockets thoroughly, especially if you have a front-loading washing machine, as small items can get stuck between the drum and the door seal. This can potentially cause irreversible damage (holes in the drum).

Also check that the machine is level, because if it is unstable, it will generate noise during the spin cycle and cause the entire body to shake. All machines are equipped with adjustable feet to adapt to any type of floor.

What should I do if my washing machine breaks down?

If you have the skills and have repaired a washing machine in the past, you will probably be able to fix this one. However, if you are not a DIY enthusiast, there are many professional appliance repairers in Geneva.

Washing machine repairer for all brands in Hoovernez

If the problem becomes serious, it is best to call an experienced repair technician to your home. For any advice you may need regarding repairs to your washing machine, we respond quickly and are available anywhere in Geneva and the surrounding area. You can contact us by phone or by filling out our contact form.

At Hoovernez we care about a job well done and we will always make sure that you can enjoy your appliances for as long as possible.