It might not be the most thrilling subject, but if there’s one thing that affects us all, it’s doing the laundry (unless you are a teenager, in which case be warned – this life is coming for you one day).
Most of us simply go into autopilot when it comes to doing the washing. Plus, hands up how many people actually read the manual when they get a new washing machine? But our slightly slapdash approach could be costing us when it comes to the cleanliness of our clothes and the longevity of expensive machines. That’s why we spoke to Michael Armitt, electrical engineer and customer delivery manager at British Gas, for his tips on avoiding washing machine mishaps.
Never read the manual? You could be using your washing machine incorrectly.
Don’t overload your washing machine
Most of us are aware you shouldn’t overload the washing machine – but what does that actually mean? ‘A general rule of thumb is to leave a 25% gap, equal to a hand width, to ensure all clothes are washed properly and the drum spins correctly, preventing damage to both the machine and laundry,’ says Armitt. ‘Larger items such as bedding and bath towels can be twisted to reduce total surface area, but be careful not to exceed the weight limit of the selected cycle.’
Yes, it turns out there is an individual weight limit for each washing machine cycle. It will all be listed in the manual, says Armitt. ‘Commonly used “fast” wash cycles are usually half capacity,’ he adds.
A general rule of thumb is to leave a 25% gap, equal to a hand width, at the top of the machine
There is good reason to stick to the correct amount of laundry per wash. ‘If there isn’t enough room for the clothes to move around, the machine won’t be able to wash them as thoroughly or spin out the water efficiently,’ says Armitt. ‘So when loading the washing machine, ensure you are able to place your hand between the clothes and top of the drum.’
Don’t overfill the detergent drawer
Have you ever got a bit over-excited when squirting on the laundry detergent and ended up using a cup-full of the stuff – instead of the minimal amount recommended (apparently you only need a maximum of two tablespoons per load)? Well stop, because ‘using too much can lead to clogged dispensers and build up in your machine,’ says Armitt.
Don’t ignore a leaky machine
‘There are multiple causes for water coming out of the bottom of a washing machine,’ says Armitt. ‘The main reason could be a due to a leaking hose, dispenser or door seal. Your machine’s hoses are responsible for sending water to your machine and draining it away when the wash is finished, so there is a high chance there may be connection issues or a blockage in this area.’
A leaky machine could indicate issues - so don't just ignore it.
You can help to identify the root cause of a leakage by working out exactly where the water is coming from. 'Placing a single ply of paper towel or toilet paper down will help to quickly identify even a small leak,’ advises Armitt. Once you know where it’s coming from, consult the list below:
Water at the bottom front left corner of your machine: This is an indication of a leaking dispenser or drawer. Clean appropriately and check for stains down the front of the machine.
Water towards the middle of your machine: This is usually an indication that there is an issue with the door. Clean the inside of the door glass to remove any limescale or debris, particularly at the bottom of the door.
Water leaking from underneath your machine: This could be an indication that the door seal is damaged. Open the door and check seal for rips, holes or tears.
Water leaking from the front right of your machine: This could be the pump filter. Clean it, ensure correct thread alignment and only tighten by hand.
Water leaking from the rear: This usually indicates that there is an issue with the external hoses, either inlet and drainage. Ensure tightness of the inlet and check for kinks or pinching on the waste hose.
It is important to know that there are many potential causes of leaks on washing machines, so if unsure it is best to consult a professional who is trained to identify and resolve the problem quickly.
Don’t just guess which drawer is which
Some people will be reading this and think ‘of course I would never do that, how preposterous’. And others will say ‘Yep, I just stick the detergent and conditioner in whatever drawer feels right and hope for the best.’
The three compartments in a washing machine have very specific jobs - so don't just guess!
‘Generally, there are three compartments to your drawer, the pre-wash compartment, the main wash compartment and the fabric softener compartment,’ says Armitt. ‘The pre-wash compartment is for any detergent used for a pre-wash before the main cycle, which helps remove tough dirt from clothes. The main wash compartment is the slot used most often, that you put your detergent in to when you clean your clothes. The fabric softener compartment is typically the smallest section of the draw and is often labelled with a flower symbol.’
So actually, it does matter where you put your various liquids and powders. And if you’re not sure, you’ll have to consult your manual to find out (or Google. There’s always Google).
Don’t overlook a slow-draining drawer
‘Water remaining in the softener compartment at the end of the cycle is a common fault,’ says Armitt. ‘This indicates the drawer and/or siphon is blocked and needs cleaning.’ You can do this yourself at home. Remove the drawer, take out the siphon and soak it all in warm water for about 30 minutes.
If the issue is that the softener is remaining in the drawer post-wash, water is not flowing into the softener compartment properly. Remove the drawer and clean the top of dispenser hosing with a brush.
Don’t avoid cleaning your washing machine
Yes, we know, this is one of those jobs that slips repeatedly to the end of the to-do list. However, over time ‘washing machines can start to let off odours due to developing mould, bacteria and a buildup of left over detergent (which acts as an adhesive for said bacteria), so it is recommended to clean your machine once a month’ says Armitt.
The good news is that ‘many machines have a self-cleaning programme which is the best option. Alternatively use a 90c boil wash with an empty drum. Other popular methods include using washing machine cleaning products or homemade solutions using baking soda or vinegar.’
Time to get the elbow grease going and clean that machine.
Don’t shut the door as soon as you’ve unloaded the machine
Armitt says this ‘prevents air circulation, encouraging mould growth and odours to begin.’ But at least it’s a very easy one to rectify!
Another tip is to leave the dispenser drawer ajar when the cycle is finished.
Don’t let your machine lean
‘Make sure your washing machine is installed correctly on a level surface - so check that all feet are touching the ground and that it’s balanced,’ says Armitt. Doing so means it can work properly, and will increase the longevity of your machine.
Don’t let coins, buttons or jewellery escape in the drum
Always check your pockets before washing, says Armitt. And this is not just for tissues (we’ve all been there), but also for any little bits and pieces that might escape from pockets.
‘Not checking pockets are empty could result in small items falling into the drum, which could causes blockages, leaks and damage,’ he says.
