Buzz
Avoid overloading the machine, maintain balance, and regularly clean it.
1. Secrets to Efficient and Durable Washing Machine Use
Avoid overloading the machine, maintain balance, and regularly clean the washing machine.
According to refrigeration engineer Le Thanh Tung, the average lifespan of top-loading washing machines is 14 years, while front-loading ones last around 11 years. However, the durability of a washing machine depends largely on the user's habits. Here are some tips for prolonging the lifespan of washing machines to save energy, water, and extend their longevity.
1. Use appropriate laundry detergent
Use the right amount and type of laundry detergent as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have an HE (high-efficiency) washing machine, you can use HE detergent. (See more: How to choose good detergent for washing machines)
2. Sort and inspect clothes before washing
This practice not only ensures cleaner clothes but also protects the washing drum from collisions with foreign objects like lighters or keys left in pockets. Before loading them into the washing machine, zip up zippers, unroll bunched-up socks, straighten pant legs, and turn sweaters inside out. For delicate fabrics prone to tearing or stretching, consider using a laundry bag for added protection.
3. Avoid overloading
This helps clothes get cleaner and prevents damage to the machine. When overloaded, washing machines often make loud noises and may stop spinning. In many cases of overloading, clothes may fall out of the drum during the wash cycle. Only when a repair technician removes the drum does the homeowner find clothes stuck between the drum and the machine frame.
4. Keep the washing machine dry and ventilated
Avoid placing the washing machine in damp areas, prevent water from getting on the machine's keypad, and if it happens, immediately dry it off.
5. Ensure Washing Machine Stability
When your washing machine is not level, it can cause issues such as water not flowing into the detergent dispenser, the drum becoming unbalanced leading to noisy operation during washing, and reducing the lifespan of the machine.
6. Tips for Saving Electricity and Water
Do not run the washing machine with too few clothes. Additionally, washing a small load doesn't necessarily make clothes cleaner compared to washing a full load. If your washing machine has a hot water wash setting, only use cold water during the rinse cycle to save energy. When not in use, completely disconnect the washing machine from the power source. Washing machines that meet Energy Star standards use 50% less water than conventional ones.
7. Regularly Clean and Maintain the Washing Machine
Long-term operation without proper cleaning can cause residue buildup inside and outside the rotating drum, leading to increased friction resulting in noisy operation. Moreover, without regular cleaning, dirt, algae, and soil can accumulate in the inlet and outlet valves, causing inaccurate water flow, wasting energy, and resulting in poorly washed clothes.
Cleaning the washing machine helps ensure cleaner clothes, prolongs the machine's lifespan, and enhances safe operation. Additionally, regular cleaning facilitates the detection of potential underlying issues, allowing for preventive measures.
You can clean the washing machine at home without the need for a technician by using washing machine cleaning tablets. If you cannot find washing machine cleaning tablets, you can use the following ingredients: 2 cups of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of distilled water, 1 piece of seaweed.
First, mix the baking soda and water together, which serves as the primary cleaning agent for the washing machine. Pour the baking soda mixture into the detergent dispenser drawer of the washing machine, and pour vinegar into the drum. If the washing machine does not have a separate detergent dispenser drawer, you can pour the baking soda and vinegar mixture directly into the drum.
Close the door and start the washing machine for a complete wash cycle to allow the baking soda and vinegar to dissolve limescale and mold naturally, while also eliminating odors.
After the cycle finishes, use a clean piece of seaweed to scrub around the opening of the washing machine to remove accumulated dirt and mold, then rinse with water.
It's advisable to clean your washing machine approximately once a month to keep it fresh, ensure clothes always smell pleasant, and extend the machine's lifespan.
