Speed Queen Washing Machine Maintenance & Cleaning
Put a Speed Queen washing machine maintenance and cleaning schedule on your calendar! You’d think a machine designed for and dedicated to the hygiene and care of clothing, towels and bedsheets wouldn’t itself need regular cleaning, but contraire.
Although the washing machine drum is self-cleaning, a little TLC and elbow grease never hurt anyone. In fact, it can keep your washing machine aesthetically pleasing as well as eliminate any pungent odors that might make you want to keep the door to the laundry room sealed shut.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Clean cloths
- Water
- All-purpose cleaner
- Vinegar
- Toothbrush
How to Clean a Speed Queen Washing Machine
There are six main sections you’ll want to attack when cleaning a Speed Clean washing machine. That is the control panel, cabinet, detergent dispensers, drum, door and seal. Regular cleaning is a key part of preventative maintenance and goes a long way in preserving your equipment, cutting down repair costs and keeping service technicians away from your laundry room.
Control Panel & Cabinet
Use a soft, clean cloth dipped and wrung out in a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to wipe down the control panel. Once finished, take a fresh, dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
If your hand accidentally slips and you spill detergent, bleach or other cleaning products on the cabinet, please immediately wipe it away with a damp cloth and towel dry.
Note: Do not use alcoholic or abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on the control panel or cabinet, as this could cause damage.
Tub
Although the Speed Queen washing machine’s tub is designed to be self-cleaning, that doesn’t mean residue from hard water and laundry detergent won’t build up or leave a ring over time. According to the manufacturer, this won’t affect your washer’s performance, but it might lead to an unsightly eyeful of crusted-on mineral deposits, which could be problematic, especially if your washing machines are intended for commercial use.
So, if you have a couple of spare minutes, you could get a clean cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to spray and wipe down the drum. Just ensure you thoroughly rinse the tub afterward with fresh water and leave the door open to let it air dry.
Door Seal
For this step, you’ll need a solution of one part vinegar and one part water to clean the washing machine’s door seal. Using a toothbrush, apply and scrub the door seal with your vinegar solution, taking care to get in between the folds. Next, thoroughly rinse and dry.
Detergent Dispensers
After some time, detergent and fabric softener dispensers can get a little icky from residue buildup. To keep your washing machine looking as fresh and pressed as the clothes that come out of it, pour a little vinegar into the dispenser and scrub with a toothbrush.
Speed Queen Washer Smells
In moist, dark environments, such as the inside of your washing machine tub, mold, mildew and bacteria are bound to grow and cause an unpleasant odor. For top-loading washing machines, leave the door open after every wash, and for front-loading washers, leave the door cracked to allow adequate airflow.
How Do You Maintain a Speed Queen Washer
Regularly inspect, clean, repair and replace your Speed Queen washing machine and its components. Below are the instructions on when and how to maintain a Speed Queen washer properly:
Monthly
- Hoses – Inspect the hoses to ensure they are free of cracks, blisters, fraying and general wear. If you notice any signs of use, please contact an authorized service technician to replace and repair.
- Lid switch – The lid switch tells the washer whether it's open or closed during the wash cycle so it can stop spinning and agitating when the door is opened. If there are any problems with the lid switch, please contact an authorized service technician for help.
- Washer level – A tilted washing machine will cause uneven wear and tear of internal components, so it’s important to check that your washer rests on level ground. You can use a level to check its balance. If you see that the level’s air bubbles are not centered, go ahead and adjust the legs up to shorten and down to lengthen.
- Tub – Following the instructions above, clean the washing machine drum with a little bit of all-purpose cleaner, wipe it down with a fresh rag and towel dry.
Bi-Yearly
The filter screens have been known to get clogged every once in a while and could be the reason the washer isn’t filling as fast as it normally does. That’s why it’s recommended to clean or replace the filter screens at least once every six months to keep your laundry schedule on track.
The filter screens are located in the fill hoses on the back of the washing machine. Ensure your washing machine is turned off before unscrewing the hose and cleaning the filter.
Every 5 Years
Preventative maintenance means a quality checkup by an authorized service technician once every five years. During this call, they’ll replace the fill hoses and give your machine a thorough once-over to ensure it continues operating at peak performance.
Looking for more Speed Queen washer to-dos? We have a complete collection of digital parts manuals and diagrams to help keep things spinning.