Three years ago, when I moved into my townhouse, I spent a small fortune updating the ancient appliances to more energy-efficient models. This upfront investment, I figured, would save me money in repairs and replacements down the road. I was wrong.
I’ve already had to call in a repairman three times—twice for my front-loading washing machine and once for my dryer. I don’t know if I would have had better luck with machines from other manufacturers, but I do know that I will start following these 10 tips for extending my washer and dryer’s life, posted yesterday by re-nest. In a nutshell, these include:
--Make sure it’s level. If it’s not level, the machine’s vibrations and movements could damage it.
--Keep it clean. Wash off surface dust and detergent
--Remove lint. Washing machines collect lint during the wash cycle and send it down the drain. Yours may have a lint trap that needs to be cleaned.
--Check the water fill hoses. A small blister could be a sign of an impending rupture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every five years.
--Don’t overdry. This not only shortens your clothing’s life, but also your dryer’s longevity.
--Look for a moisture sensor. If you’re buying a new dryer, get one with a sensor that will turn it off when the clothes are dry.
--Keep the washer’s door open. If you don’t have pets or kids who may crawl in, keeping the door open discourages mold and mildew.
--Vent the dryer fully. Make sure the vent tubing has no kinks or snags, which can cause fires.
--Clean dispensers and attachments once a month.
--Prep for vacations. If you’re going away for a while, turn off the water supply and unplug the machines.
Stop throwing good money away on laundry machine repairs. photo by iStockphoto