How Do You Maintain A Washer and Dryer?

Written on: August 30, 2019

Your washer and dryer work hard to keep your clothes clean (that is their job, after all), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do what you can to help them work a little less hard for those same great results.
What can you do to ease the burden on your washer and dryer to keep them running in top form for longer?

6 tips that will help your laundry appliances last longer:

For both washers and dryers:

• Get professional installation – Proper installation is critical for all washing machines and dryers; unless you’re a licensed plumber or contractor, hire a pro.
• Run only full loads – The more often you run your washing machine or dryer, the shorter its lifespan will be. Always wait until you have a full load.
• Don’t overfill – Overfilling will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment; your clothes won’t get as clean or dry, either.

For washing machines:

• Don’t use too much detergent – Too much soap leads to too many suds, which could cause your washer to overflow and could lead to mildew problems. If you have a high-efficiency washer, be sure to use detergent marked safe for HE washers.
• Prevent mold and mildew build-up – Remove finished loads immediately after washing and leaving the washer door ajar when the machine is empty to avoid mildew and mold formation. Clean out the washer door’s rubber seal periodically with water and vinegar – trapped hair and fabric can also encourage mold and mildew build up.
• Clean your machine regularly – If your washer doesn’t have a self-cleaning cycle, pour distilled white vinegar instead of laundry detergent into the dispenser and add a cup of baking soda to the drum about once every month, running the machine on its hottest cycle. This will neutralize pH and scrub the interior.
• Check your hoses – Regularly check your washing machine’s water hoses for signs of wear or weakness. If you find cracks or blistering, replace the hose; damaged hoses can leak or burst, causing flood damage. Replace hoses every five years or so.

For Dryers

• Maintain the lint filter – Always clean the lint filter before drying each load of laundry. Regularly check the dryer’s drum for lint accumulation.
• Regularly inspect the vent – Periodically check the dryer vent (it’s outside your house) to make sure air is coming out while clothes are drying. If no air is coming out of the vent, turn off the dryer and inspect the vent for blockage.
• Keep the vent hose as short as possible – Shortening your dryer’s vent hose can reduce drying times by 20 percent or more, cutting down energy use, saving you time and money, and causing less wear and tear on the machine.
• Pre-dry loads – Drying clothes on an indoor drying rack can cut drying time by 25 percent or more, saving energy and reducing machine wear and tear. If you need to dry wet clothes fast, toss in a clean, dry cotton towel with your load. The towel will soak up moisture, speeding your dry time.

Make sensible washing machine and dryer upgrades

The average lifespan of a washing machine is about 10 years; Consumer Reports recommends replacing one that’s more than eight years old, especially if repairs are needed. Dryers typically last a little longer – about 13 years.
Follow these tips and you can expect to be on the higher side of the scale for both appliances – but when it’s time to replace your washer and dryer, be sure to get them professionally installed and maintained by the experts at Ace-Robbins.
Have you followed these tips and still ended up with a broken washing machine? It could be time for an upgrade from the pros at Ace-Robbins. Check out our full line of front-load washers and other high efficiency appliance options at our convenient Tunkhannock showroom today!