maintenance on washing machines?

Answer 1

Here's some tips to keep your washing machine working its best for the longest possible amount of time. First of all,manufacturers usually recommend that water fill hoses be replaced every five years, but it doesn't hurt to check them from time to time for small leaks. If one of those hoses bursts, not only are you looking at a large amount of water damage, but if it is the hot water fill hose,the leak could run into a high elec bill plus the water bill(if it isn't caught soon).

Because washing machines are so heavy, they need to be leveled, which means that all four legs need to be touching the floor. The front legs are usually adjustable leveling legs that have a lock nut. Adjust the leg to the correct height, and then tighten the lock nut against the body of the machine so that the leg doesn't move. Some washing machines have adjustable leveling legs in the back, and they are adjusted the same way that the front legs are. It is a good idea to keep the machine as close to the floor as possible so that the machine is less likely to vibrate. If you need to tilt the machine to adjust the legs, be sure to have someone help you so that you don't accidentally drop the machine on yourself.

Top or Side-Loading Washers, need regular maintenance to thoroughly clean the sediment of laundry detergent and/or fabric softeners. Here is a good site to check out on how to maintain that.
http://www.thediaperhyena.com/washingmachinecare.htm

Answer 2

Other than cleaning it, nothing. Oh wait, if you have well water you need to clean the screens on the hoses on the inlet. Sand and grit can clog the mesh.

Now if it's a new washer, there's a problem with fungus growing on some of the plastic parts internally. If your wash gets smelly, go to www.smellywasher.com for more info.

http://www.smellywasher.com/

They have a cleaner you need to run through the machine every so often to kill the fungus, bleach doesn't work.

Answer 3

John, usually a washer doesn't require any maintenance. There's nothing to oil.

I remove the detergent cup and clean out the lint once a year or so, and keep an eye on the lint trap over the outlet hose draining into the utility sink, so it doesn't clog, but that's about it.