01 Dec Bad Odour of the Washing Machine and Extending Its Lifespan

A washing machine is a necessary and helpful device for the home, significantly contributing to the cleanliness and care of clothes. But as we said before, this device needs a lot of care, and if not paid attention to, it can cause a lot of damage to the texture of the clothes and their dirtiness. If your washing machine doesn’t smell like washed clothes and is more like a bad smell, try the tips in this article to eliminate the musty and bad odour. Otherwise, you should get help from a washing machine repair technician. There are also some straightforward yet practical tips that, by following, you can’t experience the washing machine being damaged or face it less often. So stay tuned to the end of this article to get helpful information.

How to remove the bad odour of the washing machine?

To eliminate bad odour, use the following three-step process to restore a clean, fresh scent to your washing machine: Clean, Sanitise, and Deodorize. Be careful not to mix cleaning agents, which can be dangerous. Washing machine bad odour is usually caused by mould, mildew and bacteria. Combine this combination of dirt with the humidity of the laundry compartment, and you can finally have an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. It’s strange that the machine we use daily to wash our clothes now smells worse than dirty clothes. Sometimes, even the washing machine, a symbol of cleanliness, emits such a bad odour.

Remove your powder, bleach and conditioner and wash each area carefully.

If your washing machine smells a bad odour, one of the first things you should do is clean the powder, bleach and fabric softener compartment. Stagnant water may remain in the pot between cycles and become a breeding ground for moulds. Use an old toothbrush to get into the crevices of the drain, and then use a pipe cleaner to remove the debris that is stuck inside the drain pipes.

• If you have a front-loading washing machine, wipe around the rubber with a damp cloth and use a cotton cloth to remove any debris accumulated around the washer.
• In top-loading washing machines, pay special attention to the cracks and crevices around the doors where dirt hides. When the parts are done cleaning, it’s time to clean the inside of the boiler. If the problem isn’t solved, a repair technician should be at your home for a better investigation. 

Cleaning your smelly washing machine with bleach.

Bleach is an effective whitening agent when the washing machine smells bad odour because it’s the best solution to eliminate mould and bacteria. Be sure to take precautions when using bleach; for safety, don’t mix it with other cleaners. The amount of bleach you should use depends on your washing machine: add 4 cups of bleach to a top-load machine or 2 cups to a front-load machine, then start a cycle. Set the clothes to the highest possible temperature. Allow the tub to fill and stop the wash cycle after the water has mixed with the bleach. Let the water and the bleach sit for 30 minutes, and then repeat the process. Once again, the rinse cycle should remove all traces of bleach.

Cleaning with vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent deodoriser for your washing machine and removes the acidity of hard water and any remaining bacteria that may have been left behind after cleaning with the bleach. To start, put your washing machine in its hottest setting. Add 4 cups of plain white vinegar (not balsamic or apple) to a top load washer or 2 cups to a front load washer. Remember, regular descaling will prevent machine breakdowns in some washing machine repairs.

Washing the pot by washing the service with hot water.

After washing with vinegar, clean the pot using the service wash. A service wash, also called a maintenance wash cycle or a self-cleaning washing machine uses hot water to clean the inside. Some newer washing machines may have a service wash setting, but if yours doesn’t, you can set the device for a long warm wash cycle.

Running a service wash cycle about once a month can help prevent washing machine odours from returning in the future. Always make sure your washing machine is empty before starting the washing service. You can also add a washing machine cleaner to the wash cycle to help remove more bacteria and bad odour than hot water.

Actions that shorten the life of the washing machine

Before you take the necessary measures to increase the useful life of your washing machine, you may be asked how long this machine’s useful life is. In general, the useful life of different washing machines is between 10 and 14 years. But considering some critical points in the field of care and maintenance of this machine can increase its lifespan. Therefore, it can be said that improving the overall performance of the washing machine requires good care.

Using it more than the standard.

The life of the washing machine depends on how much you use it. So try to use the washing machine eight times a week or less, which is an average number, and more than this amount may damage your device.

Haven’t installed it professionally.

Proper installation is crucial to keep the washing machine healthy. So when you want to put it in the right place, get help from an expert and let the size and materials around it be determined. Please place it in such a way that there is airflow around it.

Putting things on the washing machine

A washing machine isn’t a cabinet that you want to put too many items on because if there are items on it, it will be heavier and put more pressure on it. So it’s better to empty the top of the washing machine and not put anything.

Using too much detergent

The next thing that should be paid attention to is the excessive use of detergents, higher than the amount suggested by the factory. This problem is harmful to the washing machine; Because the amount of foam in it increases, and the machine rotates too much to remove the foam. As a result, more pressure is applied to the car.

Washing unauthorised things with it

Washing by hand is necessary for some items. As a result, you should see what the limitations of the washing machine are and what things you shouldn’t put in it that will cause damage. For example, bags with zippers, hefty blankets, and sheets shouldn’t be placed in the washing machine.

Not cleaning the rotating plate of the washing machine

When the machine finishes washing, you need to clean the inside of the rotating plate with a cloth. Otherwise, the particles will close their pores, and the washing process won’t be done well.

Don’t take off your clothes on time.

One of the biggest problems with washing machines is mould. These moulds create a terrible smell and reduce the washing machine’s lifespan, so to prevent them, you should remove the washed clothes as soon as possible and let the wet clothes stay in the device. Otherwise, mould will form and damage the machine.

Drying the clothes that shouldn’t be dried

If you have planned to dry any clothes, sheets and fabric, know that you are damaging the washing machine. So you must read the instructions on the clothes. Some of these fabrics are damaged by drying inside the washing machine.

Don’t follow the maintenance instructions.

You must read and follow the washing machine instructions and the manual so that it doesn’t get damaged over time.

Drying two inappropriate clothes next to each other

As we said, you should read all the instructions and measure the structure of the fabrics you put in the machine. As a result, you will realise that it’s wrong to set two types of material in the washing machine simultaneously, and it will disturb its balance. For example, you can never dry a thin garment with a regular garment.

Tips to increase the life of the washing machine

• Pay attention to the capacity of your washing machine.
• Check and replace the filter once in a while.
• Don’t leave the door open after using the washing machine.
• Clean the washing machine after each use.
• Use suitable water with low salts for washing clothes.
• Don’t turn on the washing machine during peak hours.
• Don’t use hot water to wash clothes.
• Use the protector to connect the washing machine to the electricity.
• Clean or replace the washing machine door washer in time.

To wrap up

One of the most necessary and widely used household appliances is the washing machine, which can be used continuously without any problems if you follow some tips and instructions. In general, to extend the life of your washing machine and maintain it well, you need to consider some points. If you don’t have the opportunity or patience to wash your clothes, you can count on the specialised NeatEx team. With the most advanced tools and the latest knowledge, we will deliver your clothes of the best quality as soon as possible. Don’t damage your valuable clothes with improper washing. NeatEx washes your clothes best and ensures you have clean and tidy clothes.