Did you know that your washing machine can have issues with water backing up into the entire plumbing system? But when you take good care of your washer, you don’t have to worry about backups and other operational problems.
If you have a washing machine backing up into a sink in Neenah, our team can help. After we fix your washing machine problem, we can review care tips that will help prevent a backup from happening again in the future. You can keep reading to learn more about washing machine care and how these steps can extend your washer’s lifespan and help it get your clothes cleaner when it runs.
Use Garment Bags
One way to protect your washer is by using garment bags for smaller clothing items. This can help prevent things from getting into drain lines and causing clogs. Mesh garment bags can be purchased at many retail stores and are great for things like underwear, accessories, and socks.
Clean the Filter
You can also clean out the filter in your washing machine at least once each month. Just locate where the filter is on your model and place a bucket or towel underneath as you remove it. This will help to catch extra water that leaks out so it doesn’t make a mess. You can scrub the filter gently to remove buildup from hair, fuzz, and mold.
You can even go a step further by soaking the filter in vinegar to destroy any mold spores. Doing this once a month helps prevent the filter from getting clogged so that it can drain water effectively. Otherwise, the filter can drain slower, and cause back ups. Before you put the filter back in place, look inside the unit to see if the filter’s location needs to be cleaned out, too.
Clean the Machine
It’s also a good idea to clean your washing machine as a whole once each month when you clean the filter. You can purchase washing machine cleaner at a retail store, but you can also clean the unit using things that you already have around your house.
For example, you could pour some bleach in and run a cycle without any clothes, or you could use baking soda and vinegar. Some washing machines even have a setting that is specific for cleaning the machine itself. If it doesn’t, just run a normal cycle, preferably with hot water.
Ensure Space for Hoses and Vents
Another way to care for your washing machine is by ensuring that there is plenty of space around it for the vents and hoses to work the way they need to. If hoses don’t have enough space, they can get bent and cause problems with how water drains out.
This is where backflow may be an issue. Water needs plenty of space to drain out quickly without any blockages. Air vents are also important in how your washing machine operates. If airflow is blocked, your washer may not be as effective, leading to problems like a lack of overall cleaning and potential backups.