Many people wonder if the age of the washing machine affects how clean the clothes are. The machine still looks intact, but the results may feel worse than before. So what's the real deal?
Wear and deposits affect
Over time, dirt, detergent residue and grease accumulate in the drum, rubber strips and detergent compartment. This can cause the machine to not wash as effectively as when it was new. Swedish experts recommend regular cleaning of the machine to avoid this residue from getting on clothes and impairing washing results.
Old machines can wear out clothes
Older machines may also have worn drums or gaskets, which means that clothes do not move as freely during the wash. When the fabric does not have room to spin properly, dirt and detergent are not evenly distributed, and the results are poor. You may notice that clothes feel duller, stiffer or have a faint smell even after washing.
Proper care can extend the life of the machine
There are several things you can do to make an older machine wash as well as before. Regularly clean the drum, rubber strips and compartments, run the machine empty with a cleaning program from time to time, fill the machine just enough and use the right amount of detergent. In this way, even an older machine can give good washing results.
