Fort Worth Washing Machine Maintenance

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

Taking care of your washing machine is important so you can avoid water damage.

Do you know how many gallons of water your washing machine can hold? On average, a single washing machine can hold 15 to 30 gallons water. Now, think of how many times your washing machine drains, and then refills during a cycle it’s usually around two, right? That means – depending on the settings you have selected – your washer can use anywhere from 45 gallons to 90 gallons of water in just one wash. Now, think about if your washing machine somehow malfunctioned, and you didn’t have any idea that it happened. It would definitely dump a lot of water all over your home. What’s worse is that insurance may not even cover it because it could be considered something along the lines of “failure to maintain” which we will definitely cover in a later blog on just what that means. So, what can you do to make sure your washing machine doesn’t fall apart, and you don’t end up with a massive puddle in almost all the rooms of your home?

Taking Care of Your Washing Machine

With the next week going to feel like spring here in Fort Worth, it is enough to make anyone want to get out and get to work on their spring cleaning and maintenance out of the way while it’s nice; and before it gets too hot here to do anything but sit on the couch with the air conditioning on a high and a tub of ice cream. While you’re cleaning your gutters and cleaning out your garage, maybe take a peek at your washing machine one day to see how it’s doing maintenance wise.

1. First thing is first, inspect the hoses. Failing hoses is probably the number one source of water damage when it comes to washing machines. Make sure to check for bulges, cracks, and make sure the fittings are secure. Replace anything that looks concerning, and maybe consider a metal hose instead of a rubber or plastic one.
2. Have you washed your washer? That sounds weird, but it’s imperative to wash your washer to make sure your laundry stays clean and fresh. Just run an empty cycle with a load of hot water and about two cups of white vinegar. Then in the middle of your cycle, add in about a half cup of detergent.
3. After you’ve washed it, make sure to wipe down your drum, your door, and the rubber gasket that lines your washer door. This will ensure that your washer won’t give off any gross odors.

It’s probably wise to inspect the hoses at least every six months and do the general cleaning about once a month to keep your machine fresh and to keep it from stinking up too much. Some other general washing machine tips are:

1. Use the right type of detergent. Believe it or not, your washer could use a special type of detergent. Check the right kind in your washer instruction manual.
2. Make sure you’re using the right amount too, too much will leave a residue, and nobody wants to have to clean that.
3. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of leaving your laundry in your washer for an extended amount of time and forgetting to put it in the dryer. If you’re very guilty like me and find that your clothes have turned a bit mildew-y, do about a splash or two of white vinegar in your clothes and rewash with your normal amount of detergent. It’ll take away that mildew smell easily.

And that’s it! Washing machine maintenance is important to keep potential water damage emergencies at bay. If you do find yourself with a water damage emergency in your Fort Worth home, give us a call today at 817.595.2506!