As a household appliance, washing machines typically have long warranty periods, sometimes up to 12 years! 

They are pretty resilient machines, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated like they cannot be spoiled. Even though we don’t go out of our way to ruin this trusty and hardy modern day convenience, we can sometimes ruin them (to our own great loss) of negligence. 

Here’s how you may be spoiling your washing machine (and how to fix the problem): 

1. Being too generous with detergent 

When it comes to making sure that stains are gone and bacteria is busted from your laundry, more laundry detergent isn’t always a good idea. The extra detergent that’s not rinsed away by your machine’s typical rinse cycles would cause suds to build up. With excess suds, your machine’s drainage could be blocked which leaves dirty water to stay inside, which is a terrible idea for the longevity of your washing machine. 

At the same time, it’s not a good idea to use too little detergent, as that may cause scales to build up in your washing machine. What you need to do is measure the amount of detergent required based on your laundry load size. There are usually instructions on the approximate amount to use, spelled out on the back label of your detergent; plus there are measuring lines on the detergent bottle cap as well. 

2. Leaving washed laundry inside for too long 

If you leave your washed laundry in the washing machine for too long, mold and mildew could eventually grow and cause your clothes to have a bad odor. This, however, is really dependent on how your clothes smell. If you’ve left your laundry overnight without hanging them out to dry or tossing them into the dryer, you might get a bad smell the next day or you might not. And if it smells funky, sometimes all you need to do is initiate another round of washing with vinegar to resolve the issue. No biggie. 

The real problem comes when you do so with a washing machine that’s not been cleaned for a long time, or if you have a habit of using too much detergent as stated in the previous point. Excess detergent and fabric softener acts as a fertile ground for mold and mildew to grow. If that’s already happening in your washing machine, then leaving your laundry in there for too long may not be the best idea. 

3. Not cleaning your washing machine properly 

Most washing machines come with tub cleaning modes. But that may not be enough for the longer term, because care is also needed for your machine’s filter and detergent drawer. The filter stops lint, dirt, soil and other intrusive debris from harming your machine’s pump. As such, it becomes easy for germs to thrive there if the filter is left uncleaned. The same works for its detergent drawer, as leftover detergent powder and germs over time need to be dealt with for the well-being of your laundry. The door seal for front-loader washing machines is another area that’s often neglected, which makes it home to mold and mildew buildup too. 

Sounds like a lot of work to maintain a washing machine, doesn’t it? Since it’s difficult to clean parts of it that can’t be seen, PREZ Washing Machine Cleaner would be a good addition to your household cleaning toolkit. It cleans the drum thoroughly, easily, and effectively—all you need to do is add it into the tub and run the tub cleaning process. That’s the biggest and most important part of your machine, cleaned effortlessly! 

Stay clean, and happy washing! 

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Cleaning your washing machine (washer) could mean cleaning out the filter, clearing the detergent drawer, rinsing the tub with vinegar or baking soda, cleaning the door seal, or something as simple as just running the tub cleaning mode. It varies when its time to clean your washing machine.

Sometimes you may be facing a serious problem and may need to call on professional help. Doing so means your washer needs a thorough clean and it may cost you up to RM400 for a few hours of work from the experts. But how do you know what level of cleaning you would need, or that you need to even clean your washer in the first place?

Here are 4 telltale signs that it’s time to peek under the hood of your washer and determine the best course of corrective action:

1. You find lint on your freshly washed laundry

It’s normal to find lint in your pockets. It’s not normal to find lint on your freshly washed laundry. That’s a sign that the filter for your washer is clogged up and needs cleaning. The filter can normally be found around the lower edge of your washer, and may have a cover. Otherwise it is probably located along your washer’s drum, and looks like a grille. If you’re not sure, simply pull out the manual to find out. Clearing the lint basically means washing away the accumulated debris and shouldn’t take long. Consider it periodic maintenance.

2. Or even worse, there’s dirt on your freshly washed laundry

While it is not dirt per se, it does look like dirt. It’s likely to be scruds, and make it seem as if soil had entered the washer while your laundry was being washed. Scruds look like brown, blotchy stains and this waxy foe usually comes about via the mixture of detergent and fabric softener. It could look like brown flakes as well, which thankfully don’t stain like scruds, but is still a nuisance. Those are caused by soap scum, which happens when detergent mixes with the minerals in water to create a layer of insoluble oil film, and they manifest as little flakes. Scrud and scum are the result of excess or unsuitable washing agents. Perhaps change your detergent, avoid using fabric softener, and yes clean your washer’s filter and detergent drawer too.

3. Your clothes are starting to make you itch or develop rashes

This could be a sign of inappropriate laundry detergent and/or fabric softener being used, especially if you have sensitive skin; or it could be that mold and mildew are beginning to get the better of your washer. If it’s just the detergent and/or softener, then your problem is solved. If not, then there may be intruders in your washer that you need to flush out. It might require a more thorough cleansing of the machine, particularly the drum. In this case it’s not a bad idea to call professionals to start assessing if there’s anything wrong with the appliance or if there’s anything from it that’s harming your clothes and skin.

4. Your washing machine starts smelling funky

If you open the door to your washer and a strong unpleasant smell hits you, then you have a mildew problem. This is more often a problem with front-loader machines, as they use gaskets (circular rubber lining for the door) to seal water in during washes. Under the gaskets mildew can thrive and cause you a number of problems, not least having that horrid mildew odor transfer onto your clothes. Thankfully, mildew can be minimized with the use of baking soda and vinegar. Mix baking soda and water in equal parts (quarter a cup) and put the mixture into the detergent drawer. Throw a generous amount of vinegar into the drum, then start the wash cycle.

If you do not want the hassle of DIY solution when its time to clean your washing machine, use PREZ Washing Machine Cleaner to clean the drum through and through. Find out how it works in 5 easy steps.

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It’s been said that you can catch the COVID-19 virus from clothes. Apparently it can stay on garments, towels and bed linen for days, so perhaps it’s time to sharpen your laundry skills because you’re probably going to be spending more time doing laundry.

There is a science to washing clothes. But if you don’t pay attention to how you launder, you could end up with some dramatic mishaps.

Have you ever lost a sweater to excessive shrinkage? Has your immaculate white shirt started getting weird spots?

Here, we’ll outline some easy to miss laundry mistakes that you are making—plus a smart laundry tip for each one to help you keep your clothes clean, germ-free, and well kept in their original shape and colour.

1. Not sorting laundry by material

If you’re already sorting your laundry according to colour i.e. what’s dark and what’s light, well done… but colour is not enough as a sorting criterion alone. The materials of your clothes also matter when washing because different cloths have different weights and textures. If you’re finding that some of your clothes get damaged after washing, you’ve probably missed this material-based sorting.

Smart Tip: Always separate denim and delicate items to get the most thorough and safest wash for your laundry.

2. Using too much detergent

It appears to make sense that adding extra detergent to your laundry load would make your clothes extra clean. But we don’t recommend it because too much laundry detergent can irritate your skin. It causes extra suds to hold more dirt and bacteria. Try instead to measure the amount of detergent that’s necessary for your type of wash and size of laundry load.

Smart Tip: You can treat extra dirty items in a pre-wash. Soak them in clean water without detergent for some time, take them out, and then clean them as you normally would in the washer with a regular amount of detergent.

3. Ignoring the ‘Dry Clean Only’ Label

Modern washing machines have come a long way and are now suited to clean various types of garments, but they are still not an ideal approach for delicate clothing that come with specific care instructions. If you throw a garment in the washing machine that has a ‘dry clean only’ label, the machine can completely ruin the item. Suede, leather, silk, and embellished items should always be dry cleaned.

Smart Tip: You should hang your delicate clothes up to air frequently outside your wardrobe. But if you have an emergency where you have to wash them, don’t throw them into the washing machine. You can go online to find ways to treat stains or dirt them manually. If you’re unsure, take them to be treated at a professional cleaning service.

4. Bleaching too often

Bleach has often come in handy as a secret weapon to keep your whites bright and to quickly remove stains. However, an excess of anything can be harmful and excessive bleach can irritate your skin and/or make you sick.

Moreover, the fabric of certain clothing may not respond well to bleach, and it can change the color of some clothes. We recommend using only ½ a cup of bleach for a large load of laundry. Before using bleach the first time on any clothing item, do a patch test by adding a little bit of bleach on an inconspicuous part of the item; only add it to your laundry if no damage occurs.

Smart Tip: As an alternative, put some lemon slices in a boiling pot of water, throw in the stained items, and treat them like you would with bleach.

5. Dryer overuse

Dryers have made life easier by saving so much time on washing, drying, and pressing your clothes. Over-drying, however, can shorten the life of any garments. Clothes can become wrinkly, full of static, and host invisible bacteria even after washing. On the other hand, sunlight has natural sanitisation and bleaching properties. It naturally disinfects your clothes, and makes them smell cleaner and fresher by comparison. Once or twice is okay, but on a regular basis try to refrain from over-drying to protect your clothes.

Smart Tip: If you live in a city with a busy schedule, use your dryer, but whenever you are free on weekends, opt for sun-drying to sanitise your clothes naturally.

6. Not cleaning your washing machine

Your washing machine must be well maintained to ensure clean and fresh laundry. If you don’t clean your machine, you won’t have germ-free and stain-free clothes. Proper cleaning will remove residual detergent, softeners, and other cleaning agents. If left unremoved, they can create a thin film which traps germs and dirts inside your machine, and dirty your subsequent laundries.

You should clean your machine regularly, ideally once a month if you do laundry 3 times or more a week. Some machines may have a tub-cleaning mode, some may not. Always use a professionally formulated washing machine cleaner when you do the cleaning.

Smart Tip: Never place or leave wet clothes in an empty washer. It can cause musty-smelling laundry. Put them in a basket. Use hot and soapy water to wipe down the door seal and detergent drawers regularly.

If you’ve been making the 6 mistakes listed above, it’s time to make some changes. You’d be able to tell the difference in how your clothes feel, and maybe replace them a lot less often.

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Have you noticed your clothes smell bad even after washing them? Or when you look closer to your white clothes, you see tiny black spots even after washing? If yes, you should definitely consider cleaning your washing machine, specifically with a washing machine cleaner.

A dirty washing machine can leave clothes with horrendous odor and lead to spreading of bacteria. A washing machine needs to be cleaned like you would your car or your room. Think about it. Day in day out, your washing machine is loaded with dirty clothes. It should come as no surprise to anyone when it will build up gross germs and bacteria.

Bacteria inside washing machines and how they affect us

Believe it or not, laundry detergent does not kill all the germs. In fact, it actually allows dirt and grime to build up in the washing machine. The only real solution around this is to clean the washing machine at least once a month with washing machine cleaner. Otherwise, chemicals, soap residue, and other minerals from the laundry detergent will get locked in the washing machine. The waste from detergent gets stuck and creates a disgusting thin film of trapped bacteria. You can actually see a ring of dirt and dust close to the rim of the washing machine if it isn’t clean.

It is advised to wash your hands before and after doing laundry. If you don’t, you can spread the bacteria further by passing it along to other people or even getting it in your food. The germs in washing machines can lead to illnesses and contamination of later loads of laundry. Illnesses include food poisoning, viruses such as hepatitis A, and diarrhea.

Conclusion

Hygiene is important, that’s why we wash our clothes! So, do yourself a favor and regularly clean that washing machine to keep yourself safe from dangerous bacteria.

– An article by en.prezhome.com – Make Life Easier

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Did you know you can fall sick if your washing machine is dirty? Researchers have discovered strains of bacteria, fungus and other skin infection causing germs in a washing machine. What can we do to keep healthy?

Don’t Let Your Washer Be A Polluter

As a washing machine’s main function is to remove dirt, grime and germs from clothes, no surprise that our clothes’ filth is transferred to the wash water. Add chemicals such as laundry detergents, softeners and other cleaning agents and it is the perfect environment to trap the dirt, grime and germs in a thin film that gets lodged on the walls of the washing tub. In fact, since we no longer use hot water and bleach as formerly prescribed, germs and mold can grow in a damp or humid environment.

Among the germs found by microbiologists include the food poisoning salmonella and E.coli, often transferred from underwear; the contagious skin infection causing MRSA and a whole range of other bacteria linked to skin infections and rashes that are antibiotic resistant. Just the thought that not all bacteria are rid of during a wash is enough to make you wash your hands before and after you do the laundry.

Add to that the potential of mold and other treatment-resistant bacteria and you can see why babies’ clothes, which are often lovingly sucked and chewed on by their wearers, are often handwashed by many parents.

A Cleaner Cure

However, hand washing alone is not enough to combat the multiple strains of bacteria. Washing machine could still be more effective, but the washing machine itself needs to be cleaned. Those doing laundry three times a week or more should wash their washing machine at least once a month. Of course, the efficiency of the wash does depend on getting a safe and reliable washing machine cleaner. This crucial masterstroke would definitely help you live a healthy, hygienic and happy life.

– An article by en.prezhome.com – Make Life Easier

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No machine lasts forever. If a machine is not well maintained, expect it to give up on you soon. A washing machine is no exception. Imagine the horror of a week-long dirty laundry without a working washing machine!

A clean washing machine works better

A regular routine of cleaning, along with the right way of use, are crucial to keep one of the most used household appliances, the washing machine, in tip top condition.

1. Do not overload the washing machine
   Having a mountain of dirty laundry means splitting them into hills and loading the prescribed load into the washing machine so that every wash is an effective wash.
2. Do not spill cleaning agents on the washing machine
   We all can’t help our butter fingers sometimes, but detergents, softeners and other cleaning agents can corrode the machine’s parts if left unattended to after the spill. Just clean the spill right away and it will be all smiles for your washing machine for a longer time.
3. Do drain the water after every wash
   Wash water is a bacteria-filled medium that needs to be removed as soon as possible. That’s why the wash water needs to be drained thoroughly and the machine kept dry. After every wash, keep the machine door open so that any excess water evaporates and along with it any chance for fungus and bacteria to harm you. Go a step further and wipe both the tub and draining hose with a clean cloth.
4. Do clean your washing machine
   Finally, a clean washing machine, is a healthy and safe washing machine. To remove residual detergent, softeners and other cleaning agents is to remove the chance of corrosion by these chemicals. It will save you money on repairs down the road. In fact, a monthly wash for the washing machine is recommended if you use it more than three times a week. Consider a safe and reliable washing machine cleaner and you’ll be set!

Since the washing machine is used regularly, it may be difficult to spot problems with the machine until it is too late. This is why you need to clean your washing machine always. Look at it as a form of servicing your machine. If you service your car, why don’t you do the same for your washing machine?

– An article by en.prezhome.com – Make Life Easier

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