Using a Clothes Washer Effectively | |
The washer must be level for it to work properly. If the washer tilts to one side it wi,ll cause excessive wear to the bearings that hold the tub in place. A unit that is not level will also not spin a full load without tripping the out-of-balance safety switch on the washer. Before you perform any maintenance on the machine, unplug the washer from its power source. Turn the water off at the hot and cold outlets. Loosen the water intake hoses at the back of the machine with a channel lock pliers and remove them from the hot and cold faucets. Pull out the small, round washers containing the fine screen hose filters. If they won't come out, pry them loose with a screwdriver. If they show signs of wear or are badly corroded, take them to the hardware store to buy replacement screens. If the screens are covered with mineral deposits, wash them out and replace them in the hose. Then reattach the hose to the hot and cold faucets, making sure you connect the hot and cold hoses to the corresponding faucet. If your washer empties into a wash sink, keep lint from clogging the drain by making a lint strainer from a piece of old pantyhose. Cut the leg off about 12 in. up from the toe and secure it to the end of the discharge hose with a 1 1/2-in.-diameter hose clamp. To break down soap scum buildup in the machine and its hoses, run the machine through a full cycle with warm water and a cup of white vinegar. Repeat the cycle with another wash using a cup of household bleach. Written by the editors of HouseNet. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |