Common Mistakes To Avoid While Using Your Washer

Have you ever been in a situation when your washer stops running all of a sudden in between the working cycle? In addition to a defective washing machine, there are plenty of other reasons why your washer starts malfunctioning. Let’s look at the 7 most common mistakes to avoid using your washer. 

Overloading Your Washer

This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make and the most important mistake to avoid. In an afford to wash the whole pile of clothes together, we end up overloading our washer. In this case, the machine unavoidably pays the price. 

People need to understand that washing machines are built to handle a specific weight of loads and water and it will work at its best when it is being used as required. Pushing it too far won’t solve anything, as the clothes come up not well-cleaned and all wet. In addition, overloading the washer will definitely mean a reduced lifespan of the machine.

Not Keeping the Washer on a Level Platform

The next common issue faced by many is to place the washer on a not perfectly horizontal surface at the time of installation. Newer washing machines come up with a built-in level indicator that tells if it’s properly leveled. 

An uneven surface will cause problems with the functioning of your washing machine. You will see such problems while drying your clothes when the tub runs faster making loud noises and the machine will create heavy vibrations. These vibrations can damage the motor or can create an imbalance in the machine. To avoid it, check with a level indicator your washer when installing and placing it in your laundry room before using it. 

Ignoring the Clothes Tags

It may be the most advanced and expensive washing machine available in the market, but yet it cannot read your clothes tags. The tags attached to your shirts, jackets, pants or sweaters, or any other clothes show the right wash conditions or settings for a perfect cleaning. However, it will not cause any harm to your washing machine, but your clothes. So by sticking to the tags you won’t ruin your clothes.

The right way to take care of it is to place similar clothes together. Don’t place towels and tops in the same load, don’t place silk and heavy kinds of cotton in the same load, and also do not put dark colors with the light colors, especially the ones that run color.   

Using improper settings

At first, it may seem easy to use the right settings for a particular type of washing, but still, this mistake is committed by many. One needs carefully read and follow the instructions manual before operating the machine. Options like rinse and wash cycles may be tricky to understand. It’s always better to listen to the installation technician sent by the seller and follow the manual also. Using incorrect settings won’t cause any harm to your washing machine but you may end up with improperly washed and damaged clothes.

Using Too Much Detergent

The logic, the more the better, doesn’t necessarily apply to the amount of detergent you use in your washing machine. Otherwise, it will make your clothes rough and coarse, and they will also lose their luster. In addition, excessive use of detergent is harmful to your machine, as it will eventually remove the protective coating from the washing tub and internal components. This will eventually lead to malfunctions. 

Leaving the Clothes in the Washer for a Long Time

Storing a load of clothes for washing is fine but leaving them inside the washer after washing is not cool. Leaving wet clothes in the washer seems like a no-harm purpose, but it’s bad for the washer. Soggy clothes and moisture in the tub build an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow up. The foul scent is a bonus. Take out your clothes at once after washing is done and leave the washer’s door open for 20 minutes to ventilate it.

Don’t Forget to Clean Dispensers

Fully automatic washing machines usually come with two or three dispensers or trays for detergents and softeners. Many people forget to clean up the trays regularly. Since these trays are always in contact with water, not cleaning them can create sticky and grimy layers for the reproduction of bacteria or even algae. This might cause health issues as the washer will continue to move water in these trays into the wash tub.