Commercial Washing Machine Maintenance & Cleaning
Commercial washing machines are a power house to help get large quantities of laundry clean and sanitized. Make sure you are upkeeping these appliances by performing some commercial washing machine maintenance & cleaning. Below we have a guide on various cleaning and maintenance tasks to perform on a schedule to prevent any build-up or broken washer parts from putting your machines out of commission.
Before performing any cleaning or maintenance, always refer to the manufacturer’s manual for best practices and approved cleaning agents.
Maintenance Tips
Following these tips can help you maintain your machine to prevent any repairs or serious build-up from happening.
- Leave machine doors open - Check daily that all the washing machine doors are left open. This will help the inside dry quicker to prevent any mold or mildew build-up. Try opening all the doors at the end of the day to help them stay open overnight.
- Check filter screens - Give the filter screens frequent checks to make sure they are not clogged or broken. Keeping these free of debris helps prolong the life of your machine and is better for waterflow.
- Check hoses and belts - Depending on how frequently your machines are used, you will need to check the hoses and belts. Ensure that hoses do not have any leaks or holes and check that belts are fitted properly and not fraying.
- Check door seal/latch - Make sure that washer doors have a firm and secure seal when closed and are latched properly. Checking the latches frequently will help you get ahead of any repairs or maintenance before they become a bigger problem.
Interior Cleaning
Cleaning the interior can be quick if you follow a regular schedule. Some of these tasks can be performed weekly or monthly depending on how much use your washers see.
- Clean drum/washer - Make sure the interior and drums are being cleaned on a monthly schedule, depending on your manufacturer’s recommended best practices. Detergent can build-up in the drum, so cleaning it will help prevent build-up from damaging your machine or causing laundry to have bad odors. Some newer machines have a self-cleaning mode that is easy to use for a cleaner washing machine.
- Clean soap dispensers - Don’t forget to clean the soap dispenser and tray when you are cleaning out the interior. If you have a removable dispenser tray, take that out and soak it to get rid of any detergent build-up.
- Wipe down front loading door gasket - Wiping down the gasket on front loading machines should be a daily routine, and if possible after every wash cycle. The door gasket can collect water and this can build mold if not maintained properly. Use a microfiber cloth to give it a quick wipe.
Exterior Cleaning
Cleaning the exterior is just as important as the interior cleaning. Performing these preventative cleanings will ensure your machines look great and operate efficiently.
- Wipe down exterior - Cleaning the exterior is just as important as cleaning the interior. Routinely wiping down the exterior of the machine will keep dust and debris from building up on the panels. For stainless steel machines, make sure you use manufacturer recommended cleaning agents and are wiping with the grain for best results.
- Water filter inlet cleaning - Cleaning the water filter inlet keeps sediment from building up and causing major issues in your commercial washing machine. Where the filter is depends on your specific unit’s make and model. Clean reusable filters with mild soap and water, and replace any filters that are disposable or filled with too much sediment to be functional.