Basic Maintenance for Your Washer and Dryer

The great thing about having your own washer and dryer is that it does most of the work for you so you can have time to do other things. But even washers and dryers need a little TLC! Whether you've been doing laundry for years or this is your first time out on your own with your washer/dryer set, here are a few tips and tricks to keep your equipment performing at top notch.

Proper Use
The vast majority of issues that come up with washers and dryers are due to improper use of the equipment. The instructions are basic, but following them incorrectly on a consistent basis can cause damage over time to your machines. If you're ever in doubt about how to use and care for your specific machine, instructions are almost always printed on the inside of the lid or the door. If you can't find the instructions, look up the model number (also on the inside of the door) on the manufacturer's website. Most major manufacturers include a downloadable PDF online of the manual that originally shipped with the machine.

Avoid Soap Scum
You'd think that if you're constantly putting soap and water in something it would always be clean, right? Well, just like your shower, soap and water isn't the only thing going in and out of your washer. Sweat, dirt, lint, and anything else your clothes pick up go into your washer too. First, make sure you check the instructions on your machine and on the type of laundry detergent you like to use to make sure you're not using too much. A little goes a long way! Towels are a great indicator of too much soap. If your towels feel waxy or if you scrub them in a little water and you see suds, you need to dial it back. Always pour in your soap BEFORE you load in your clothes so that your detergent is evenly distributed during wash cycles. And lastly, if the soap scum is already there, spray some vinegar on the scum and let it sit for 30 minutes before running a hot rinse cycle to remove it.

Clean the Lint Out
Every time you change loads in the dryer, be sure to clean out the lint trap. Even if it doesn't seem like much, the more lint that sits in the trap over several cycles, the more lint is getting stuck in the machine where you may not be able to reach it. For when the lint gets into hard to reach places, you can use a pipe cleaner or an inexpensive dryer brush to nab the extra bits. This is also handy for cleaning out lint and dust from under the dryer and under your refrigerator. Most importantly, clean your wall vent every six months. This is the vent that runs from the back of the dryer to the outside of your home. Lint, dust and dirt get trapped and build up in the exhaust over time, causing your machine to run less efficiently. More importantly, not cleaning the vent can become a fire hazard if the heat from the dryer ignites the lint and dust. If you live in an apartment, your maintenance man will have the tools to do this for you. Be safe and clean it out!

Do Routine Maintenance
If your washer and dryer are ever taking too long to do something, are shaking or making funny noises, don't wait until it gets worse. Call your manufacturer (or your friendly customer service team at Azuma!) for further assistance. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it's better to fix the problem than risk damage to your equipment or to your clothes. If you're having problems, service appointments, troubleshooting and machine replacements are always free when you rent with Azuma.

We hope these tips and tricks help you enjoy your machines to the fullest for a long, long time! Until next time, keep it clean!