I got this idea from my grandma how to clean the washing machine. The first thing you should do is running a cycle of hot water along with two cups of vinegar / lemon juice to loosen up soap or grease/grime. And then remove the fabric softener receptacle; soak it in hot water and soap. Clean the bleach dispenser with bleach and scrub it with paper towel. Don’t forget to clean the top rim of the wash bucket as it is up and under where it can’t usually be seen easily and becomes dirty. Run the washer empty on a hot cycle till three times. While this is going on you check all your hoses for leaks. Over time, the water hoses that came with your unit may leak or burst. It’s a good preventive maintenance practice to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every 4 years. Make sure your hoses are not a disaster waiting to occur. This can cost you lots so keep clean is the key. Once you’ve soaked the fabric softener receptacle, replace it and polish up the outside of your washing machine with vinegar, lime and a warm cloth towel. Your washing machine now looks better and will run better.

If you are looking to purchase your first washing machine, or replacing your trusted old washer, the choices can seem endless these days. It is easy for a buyer to leave the store empty handed because they are suffering from analysis paralysis. So many styles, options, and prices to choose from.

The best thing that you can do is determine what you want, what you can afford, and what you have space for before heading out to the appliance store. These three things will narrow down your choices considerably.

First, what do you want? You essentially have two choices. You can select a top loading or front loading washing machine. Do you need to wash a lot at once? A top loader is better suited for that task as it has a much larger capacity. However, if you are looking for an energy efficient solution then a front loader is better suited for you. Front loaders are also known to clean better due to advances in washing machine technology.