Washing machines provide enormous convenience for our laundry routine, but we always forget that regular maintenance is necessary. For example, leftover lint can build up in washing machines and cause problems, so cleaning the lint filter between loads of laundry is essential!
You can use this article as a simple guide. Or you can simply call your local specialist like ASAP Appliance Repair in Vancouver to check the issue and resolve it for you.
This small screen door keeps some potentially big problems at bay. It not only keeps lint from clogging your drains, but also keeps some potentially dangerous chemicals out of your water supply.
What comes off our clothes (and towels, sheets, and comforters) goes to the drain, along with soap and washing machine chemicals. So if there were no lint screen, you could be washing your clothes with a toxic soup.
The problem is that the lint trap also accumulates bits of fiber from dirty clothes and towels, as well as soap scum and other particles. So it is important to periodically clean out the washing machine lint filter so that water can pass through easily.
To do this right, you need to find out where your washing machine lint trap is located. It’ll probably sit between the washing tub (where the dirty laundry goes) and the outer tub (where it spins around). Some machines have an easy-to-remove rectangular panel on the washing machine’s front or rear. You may need an Allen wrench, a screwdriver, and pliers to pop the panel off.
Clean out all of the accumulated gunk under running water using your hands. If you can’t reach it with your hand, use a washing machine cleaning liquid or very diluted bleach (about 1/2 cup per gallon of water) in a spray bottle. It’s also good to remove lint from the washing machine’s top opening while you’re at it. But be careful not to get any washing soap or other chemicals in this area. If they leak into the washing tub itself, you might need to get professional appliance repairs from ASAP in Vancouver.
If there are no special cleanout panels on your washing machine, you’ll have to check the washing tub. This requires either taking apart the washing machine or removing the washing machine top.
To disassemble your washing machine, first shut off the water supply to avoid getting wet. Then disconnect both hot and cold water hoses that feed into your washing machine. Next, unscrew the cap on the drain valve (on front-loaders, this is usually located underneath an access panel). Some models have a snap ring instead of a screw cap. Finally, put back all of the components in reverse order.
You can also keep your lint screen clean by bagging the clothes that tend to lint up quite a bit: towels, sheets, and comforters. To do so, simply put them in a mesh laundry bag before washing them (this keeps them from clogging your washing machine). Once you’re done washing and rinsing these items, nudge the bag aside and give the water supply hose or drain hose a quick blast with the vacuum cleaner.If you already find some ongoing issues with your washing machine, you’d better call a local appliance repair technician to assist you right away.
