Should I close the lid of the washing machine when washing is finished?
After washing clothes, you should close or open the washing machine lid to preserve the equipment and increase the machine’s lifespan, which many people do not know.
Nowadays, almost every family has a washing machine, some families even buy two. Current washing machines are very diverse, from top-loading to horizontal-loading, and the features are also increasing day by day.
Should I close the lid of the washing machine when washing is finished?
By cleaning and disinfecting blankets, clothes, etc., washing machines help free up human labor. This is a long-lasting device, many families use a washing machine for nearly 20 years, but that is when the machine is well kept by proper use and maintenance. If you know how to maintain it, your washing machine will not only prolong its life, but will also rarely break down or malfunction, and you will not have to regularly call a technician to check and repair it.
One of the things that makes many users wonder is should they close the washing machine lid when washing is finished? The answer is you shouldn’t.
After using the washing machine, many people often have the habit of closing the lid for fear of dirt or mice crawling in, or simply close it to avoid entanglement. However, this is not recommended. If space is limited and you can’t open it all the way, just make sure the washing machine lid is slightly open, enough to let a small amount of air through.
However, it is not advisable for the washing machine to be opened all the time because outside dirt will stick to the washing drum, causing unsanitary conditions. You should close the lid when the machine is completely dry after washing.
Is it harmful to close the washing machine lid after washing?
The environment inside the washing machine is inherently a closed environment, especially the front-load washing machine becomes even more closed due to the rubber gasket layer that hinders air flow. Therefore, closing the lid after washing can lead to various negative effects.
Mold arises, affecting clothes
Mold easily grows in damp, unventilated and unhygienic conditions. Therefore, if you always close the washing machine lid after use, you create an ideal living environment for them to grow.
Besides, mold accumulating in the washing drum will cause clothes to have an extremely unpleasant musty smell. If this condition persists, they will “adorn” tiny black dots on clothes. This is one of the “stubborn” stains, very difficult to remove when they have penetrated deeply into each fiber of the fabric. In the long run, clothes will not guarantee both quality and aesthetics.
Reduces washing machine life
With an airtight environment protected by a rubber gasket around the washing machine lid, bacteria and mold can easily form here. They will pollute the water pumped into the washing machine, thereby affecting the drainage system.
When mold and bacteria accumulate enough, you will notice abnormalities in the water and waste system. For example, the water has a foul odor or appears cloudy and dark in color. Therefore, if you do not clean the washing machine regularly and properly, the life of the washing machine will be reduced.
Affects human health
Mold that forms and develops in the early stages is difficult to detect with the naked eye, but it will secretly penetrate the water source directly used to wash clothes, thereby sticking to the clothes. Along with that are environmental and weather factors when drying clothes, which in the long run can directly affect everyone’s skin, especially those with sensitive skin or allergies.
It even affects the respiratory system, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis… That’s why you should not close the washing machine lid when finished washing. Let the machine dry completely before closing it
Ways to prevent and remove mold
To keep the washing machine clean and limit mold growth, in addition to not closing the washing machine lid when finished washing, you should note:
Take clothes out immediately after washing
One of the reasons that contributes to the growth of mold and bacteria is leaving wet clothes in an airtight space. Therefore, dry or dry clothes as soon as the machine has finished the washing cycle.
In washing machines, the spin mode often comes with pre-installed washing programs. However, if you want your clothes to dry faster and the fabric quality is not affected, choose the appropriate spin mode.
For thick clothes or bedsheets, choose the spin mode to save time. As for thin, light clothes, choose a lighter spin mode to ensure dryness and fabric quality.
Choose a space to place the washing machine
To prolong the life of your washing machine, you should not place it in a damp place. In addition, make sure to place the washing machine on a flat surface to avoid water from flowing into the detergent tray or the washing drum from tilting, causing noise.
It is necessary to prevent water from dripping onto the washing machine’s keyboard and dry it promptly if an incident occurs.
Use bleach to remove mold
If mold has appeared in several places in the washing drum, use a mixture of warm water and bleach in a 10:1 ratio to clean or perform a washing cycle with this mixture. Repeat the cycle but replace the bleach with 2 cups of white vinegar to remove the mildew smell. Finally, repeat the cycle again with just hot water until the odor is gone.
Experts recommend doing this once a month to prevent mold from returning. You can ask for help from washing machine cleaning units to ensure the cleaning process is done correctly.
