Keeping your machine healthy and clean is crucial for ensuring it runs smoothly over an extended period
At first glance, doing the laundry may seem straightforward. But a washing machine expert at Which? has claimed that you might just be doing it completely wrong.
Natalie Hitchins, the Home Products and Service Editor, previously shared with the Mirror the numerous laundry nightmares she’s encountered over the years and offered tips to help you prevent a disaster yourself. “[First] be careful when you’re putting things into the washing machine,” she said in an interview last year.
“Lots of people often get items such as loose coins and bra underwires stuck between the inner and outer drum. Always check your pockets before you do a wash to avoid loose change accidentally being placed in the machine.” She also added: “When you’re cleaning your bras, Which? recommends putting them in a laundry bag to protect them from getting caught.”
To simplify things further, Natalie said she generally has five key rules for ensuring a washing process meets a good standard. While checking clothing pockets is definitely one such tip, the expert also emphasised that overloading your machine is a serious no-no.
“If you’ve been waiting a while to put a wash on, it can be tempting to fill your machine right up with items,” she continued. “But putting in heavy things such as dressing gowns and large towels can cause more harm than good. As these absorb lots of water, it could cause the drum of your washing machine to spin unevenly as the weight isn’t balanced out.”
Beyond this, Natalie advised regular checks of your machine’s health and listening for unusual sounds. She explained that many common issues are caused by using hard water in the area, which can lead to limescale buildup in a washing machine. In severe cases, this buildup can prevent the filter and drain pump from working properly.
She continued: “Lots of people living in hard water areas don’t realise that it can lead to limescale build-up in washing machines… Keep an eye out for hard water damage to clothes, usually you’ll notice things such as whites losing their shine and coming out grey or yellow as well as towels becoming hard and scratchy.
“Some detergents contain ingredients to soften water – check the packet to see if yours does. If so, add a little more to your wash.” So, to ensure machines operate smoothly for a long time, Natalie suggests that users regularly maintain and clean them.
Although it might seem like just another task, it doesn’t require much time. Cleaning the detergent tray every three months can help prevent common issues.
“It might seem simple, but keeping your washing machine clean is so important. If you don’t, you could be faced with limescale, soap scum and mould build-up,” Natalie added at the time. “Every two to three months, clean the detergent tray and run a hot drum cleaning wash to make sure everything is working well and will keep your clothes smelling fresh.”
Five rules for doing the laundry
- Check the pockets of clothes before you do a wash
- Avoid overloading your machine
- Check the health of your machine and pay attention to how it sounds
- Scrub the detergent tray and run a hot drum cleaning wash every two to three months
- Use more water softening products if your area is significantly affected by hard water
