There’s more to maximizing your washing machine’s lifespan than routine maintenance and timely washer repair for any issues. While these things are important, how you use your household appliance has a big impact on how efficiently it functions and how long it will last. Follow these do’s and don’ts to get the most out of your machine.

Do:

Keep it level.

The vigorous cycles of your washing machine might make it vibrate every time you use it. However, it should not bounce around; if it does then you know that your machine is not on level ground. Make it even to avoid damaging the household appliance’s interior parts.

Use the right amount of detergent.

Most people use more detergent than necessary because they think it will give them cleaner clothes. Unfortunately, this does more harm than good. Too much detergent will settle into the cracks of your machine. This fuels mold and mildew growth, leaving your clothes less clean and your machine components at risk of premature wear.

Don’t:

Leave items in pockets.

Always check your pockets before placing anything inside the machine. Even small items such as coins can do a lot of damage. They may damage the drum inside the machine. They can also get sucked down into the drain line, creating a clog and preventing the cycle from draining properly.

Overload (or underload) the machine.

Read the capacity recommendations in your household appliance’s owner’s manual and follow them; you should not be stuffing the machine full of clothes. This will wear down its mechanical components prematurely. Try to only wash full loads as well, rather than throw a few items in at a time. This will avoid running unnecessary cycles, saving you both water and machine life.

If your washing machine breaks down despite your best efforts, the appliance repair team at Ace Appliance Sale & Service is here to help. For more than 40 years, they’ve been serving homeowners throughout Anchorage, AK, with repair services for a variety of household appliances, including washers, dryers, gas stoves, and even cell phones. Follow them on Facebook for company updates or call (907) 272-8949 to schedule service today.