Back to School Laundry Surge: Keep Your Washer and Dryer Running

Once school starts, the laundry pile changes. Sports uniforms, gym clothes, muddy jeans and a fresh stack of towels every week. For a lot of families in Kitchener and Waterloo, the washer and dryer go from a few loads a week to one or two every day.

Extra loads mean extra wear on belts, pumps and bearings, and small problems tend to show up fast. A little washer and dryer maintenance in late August goes a long way.

Always unplug a machine and shut off the water valves before you reach behind or underneath it.

1. Clean the Washer Gasket and Dispenser

Front load washers trap water and soap residue in the folds of the rubber door gasket. Wipe it dry after the last load of the day and leave the door open a crack so the drum can air out.

Pull out the detergent drawer every few weeks and rinse it. This keeps mould and that musty smell away.

2. Run a Monthly Cleaning Cycle

Once a month, run an empty hot cycle with a washer cleaner, or use the cleaning cycle your machine offers. With more loads going through, residue builds faster than usual.

3. Clear the Drain Pump Filter

Many front load washers have a small filter behind a panel at the bottom front. Coins, hair elastics and bits of tissue collect there, especially with kids' clothes. Put down a towel and a shallow pan before you open it, since water will come out.

A clogged filter causes slow draining and clothes that come out soaked. Checking pockets before every load is the easiest way to protect the pump.

4. Inspect the Fill Hoses

Pull the washer out and look at the hoses on the back. Bulges, cracks or rust at the fittings mean they are due for replacement. Many manufacturers suggest replacing rubber hoses about every five years, and a burst hose can flood a laundry room quickly. Braided stainless steel hoses are a worthwhile upgrade.

5. Do Not Overload Either Machine

When the pile is big, it is tempting to cram it all in. Overloading a washer strains the suspension and bearings, and the clothes come out less clean. Overloading a dryer blocks airflow and can nearly double the drying time.

Two medium loads usually finish faster than one huge one.

6. Clean the Lint Screen Every Load

More dryer cycles means more lint. Clear the screen every single time. Once a month, wash it with warm soapy water to remove the film that dryer sheets leave behind.

7. Check the Dryer Vent

Go outside while the dryer is running and feel the vent hood. Strong, warm airflow is a good sign. Weak airflow means lint is building up in the vent, which slows drying and is a real fire hazard. Clean the full vent run at least once a year, and look for crushed or kinked duct behind the dryer.

8. Level the Washer

A washer that walks across the floor or bangs during spin is usually off level. Adjust the front feet until it sits firmly on all four corners, then tighten the lock nuts.

Watch for Early Warning Signs

Loud grinding during spin, water on the floor or a dryer that runs but stays cool are all reasons to stop and book a repair. Catching them early usually means a smaller fix.

If you smell something burning, unplug the machine right away. For a gas dryer, a gas smell means leave the house and call your gas utility before anything else.

A Smoother School Year Starts Now

If your washer or dryer is already showing signs of trouble, get it looked at before September gets busy. Al's Appliance provides washing machine repair in Kitchener and dryer repair in Kitchener and Guelph, with in-home service throughout Waterloo and Cambridge as well.

If a machine is past saving, stop by our Kitchener showroom at 20 Stewart Street to see new, used and scratch and dent washers and dryers, with delivery available.

Call 519-824-8828 or head to alsappliance.ca to book a visit.