For many of us, the washing machine is certainly one of the most important household appliances. Nevertheless, we often neglect it when it comes to cleaning and care.
Washing machine problems and solutions
1 Appliance rumbles a lot
What should you do if your washing machine rumbles a lot? If this happens frequently, the machine is probably not exactly level. Use the spirit level to check the incorrect position and correct the height of the machine's feet accordingly using pliers.
2 Water is not running in
Check the inlet hose by moving the washing machine slightly away from the wall. Are all connections tight? Are the inlet and safety valves open? If the hose is kinked, pull it smooth again.
3 If the washing machine does not spin
Check that the load is evenly distributed: washing machines have sensors that deactivate the spin cycle if this is not the case. If there is only one heavy item: balance the load with other items of laundry.
4 Dirt remains
If laundry is not clean, it may be because the drum is too full. This reduces the washing performance. Also clean the detergent drawer: stuck powder or hardened liquid detergent prevents enough detergent from reaching the garments.
5 Limescale builds up quickly
Use softening detergent. Alternatively, descale the machine every three months with a cup of household vinegar - simply add to an empty wash cycle at 60 degrees.
6 Washing machine gets moldy
To prevent this, air the washing machine between uses: Leave the door and detergent compartment open and wipe dry if necessary. After each wash cycle, wipe along the door seal and remove any water that has collected there.
7 Clothes smell musty
It's unpleasant if your clothes still smell musty after washing. Today's detergents also work at low temperatures. However, a wash cycle below 60 degrees does not kill the bacteria in the drum. Therefore, start an empty wash cycle at 90 degrees once a month, using detergent with a brightener.
8 The water is not draining
This is usually because the fluff filter is blocked. Switch off the appliance and drain the water through the emergency drain hose. Pull the filter out of the machine and clean it with a stiff brush under running water. Reinsert the hose and sieve and restart the machine.
You should do this regularly to maintain the washing machine:
- Depending on the manufacturer's instructions, regularly remove lint and any small parts from the lint filter and clean it.
- Also clean the seals regularly. In front-loading machines, this mainly concerns the door seal. Water often remains under the sealing ring, which can quickly lead to mold growth.
- The machine should be run at least once a month at 60 degrees or higher with powder detergent - this effectively kills germs and bacteria.
- After the wash cycle, leave the door and detergent drawer open until the residual moisture has evaporated. This prevents the formation of germs and mold.
- Clean the detergent drawer regularly under running water to prevent detergent residues from building up.
- Always dose the detergent according to the instructions on the packet and according to the water hardness and degree of soiling.
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