Question for the Experts

[phillygrl]

Having been educated by you fine folks on some of the finer points of washing machines, I have a question for you. I have just realized that my Mom's Equator washer/dryer has never been run through a cleaning cycle. Mom washes everything in warm with liquid detergent, usually Arm and Hammer brand, and uses a little Downey Free and Clear in the rinse (as per Equator instructions). I'm home for a visit and ran a load in it, and notice the door seal has some brown buildup. I scrubbed it gently with a scrubbie pad, and removed some, but am afraid to scrub it too hard. The seal is harder than when it was new. This machine is about 6 years old. There is no moldy odor in the machine, but could there be buildup from using liquid detergents and softeners? Would running a cleaning cycle help clean the door seal? Should I use chlorine bleach in a hot wash cycle, or OxyClean (since Affresh washer cleaner is just a big OxyClean tablet)? What would be the right dose for this little machine?

Lisa

 

[peteski50]

Equator!

I once had a Equator and I am sorry I gave it up for a LG that I got rid of. Anyway I would run the machine with no clothes and hot water and bleach. Than always leave the door ajar after each cycle. That should clear up the problem.
Best Of Luck,
Peter

 

[nickuk]

Hi Lisa

Here's what I would do

(1) Clean out the filter (if there is one) at the bottom of the machine. Be sure to have something there to catch the water as you pull the filter out. Make sure it's back in properly or else you'll have a leak.
(2) Remove the drawer and thoroughly clean it with hot water and washing up liquid. An old toothbrush is great for this. clean out the dispenser housing too. I like to have a trigger spray of diluted chlorine bleach ready, I would then spray this all over the inside of the drawer and up at the water jets. Leave 5 minutes and rinse thorougly.
(3) Clean the door seal with hot water, washing up liquid (or bio laundry liquid) and your toothbrush. Here in the uk we have `scratch pads' especially for non stick pans. I don't know if you have those, but one of those would be fine too. I do feel that a standard scratch pad would be too harsh. Make sure you go into all the folds, right up the top, everywhere. Loosen that dirt off then rinse it with water. Then wipe round the whole of the door seal with chlorine bleach, for hygeine and to help to restore the original colour.

Next stage is to run the machine through four cycles.

(1) A quick rinse cycle, just to flush out any cleaning debris and chemicals.
(1) On the hottest wash with a half dose of (ideally) HE powder detergent plus a full dose of oxybleach.
(2) On the hottest wash with a washing machine descaler, if you have one, or if not with about 500ml white vinegar.
(3) On a warm wash with about 500ml liquid chlorine bleach. No point using a hot wash, LCB is best at moderate temperatures.

I don't always do all of these stages but this is my routine for a good clean! I'm sure if you do this the machine will be improved, last longer, smell better and wash cleaner.

Nick

 

[laundromat]

Dear Lisa,
it sounds like your Mom has the EZ3600CEEW Clothes processor.I have one and it works great. I went and removed the top. Then, I went and removed three bolts holding the dryer blower assembly. I then folded the compartment over and took a metal hanger from my closet and made it into a long hook type instrument. I put it into the chamber and was able to loosen and remove about 2 pounds of built up lint that aqumulated in there from years of operation.I then replaced the blower assembly.I then ran the machine(wash only no dry)with a half gallon of CloroxHE spill proof Bleach and hot wash.Then,after the cycle I cleaned out the wash filter which had lint from the earlier cleaning of the blower,and the combo inproved in drying faster and the rubber boot cleaned up well.I am the Customer Service/Sales manager with Equator here in Houston,TX. if you like,email me there ([email protected]) or call me @ (800)935-1955 ext. 105. I am normaly there from 9AM to 5PM mon-fri.

 

[phillygrl]

Lint!

The Equator stopped drying well a couple of years ago. Hubby cleaned a couple of pounds of lint out then, and now cleans it yearly. He found that a fridge coil brush works well. I clean the lint filter out every time I get home, about every two months. The machine is used lightly, so that works well. Thanks all for the hints.