Kids will spend most of their time playing in mud whenever and wherever they get it.
While it is a fun experience for them, it bothers any parent.
Sometimes you can get your clothes dirty when walking down a dirt road after a long day in the garden.
Whether the muddy clothes are yours or of a family member, the idea is that they have to be cleaned, but how?
With a washing machine, most of the laundry work is made easier, and you may not reconsider putting muddy clothes in it.
So, Will Muddy Clothes Ruin Your Washing Machine?
Of course, muddy clothes have sand particles and debris that will accumulate over time and damage the washing machine. The mud particles and debris will clog the drain pipes, making it hard for water to drain. A clogged washing machine drain will require effort, time, and finances to unclog. To avoid such inconveniences, you should first deal with mud on clothes before putting them in a washing machine.
You don’t want to damage your pricier machine knowingly. For it to last long, it needs care practices every other day.
Muddy clothes are common during rainy days when children enjoy mud games and gardeners get busy in large and small farms.
The mud clothes should be washed appropriately without damaging your washing appliance.
In this post, you may get tips on caring for your washing machine and cleaning muddy clothes.
A 5 Step Process To Washing Muddy Clothes
Before you put dirty mud clothes in a washing machine, it is important first to clear the mud and ensure they don’t clog the machine pipes.
If you have collected muddy clothes and are unsure about putting them in the washing machine, the tips below will help you take the right steps in cleaning your clothes.
1. Avoid Spreading The Mud
While shaking off debris, try as much as possible not to spread the mud to other parts of the clothes.
Spreading mud is expanding the garment area that needs to be washed. As you already know, mud won’t come out on its own or with just a gentle shake of the piece of clothes in water.
Muddy clothes can be disgusting, and nobody wishes to have extra muddy spots on a single piece of cloth. If all the mud does not come out after shaking, leave the remaining for the next procedure.
2. Dry The Mud
Place the muddy clothes in a safe spot in the laundry space and allow them to dry out. Depending on the airflow and temperatures, it can take some hours or even days.
After it dries, you can easily remove the dried mud using a spatula, brush, or even hands.
3. Remove Loose Debris
While standing outside, on the grass, or in the outdoor laundry space, shake your clothes to remove loose debris.
The debris will fall off the ground, and you will clean it later. Avoid shaking muddy clothes near the washing machine unless you want to continue adding sand particles to the machine.
4. Soak
After removing the loose mud, you can soak the clothes for about 40 minutes before washing them.
Place the clothes in a washing bucket with water and a detergent mixture.
Leave the detergent to slowly work on the mud stains and loosen them before you put the clothes in a washing machine.
You may only see a few mud stains at this time, or if lucky, all the stains will have gone.
5. Wash The Clothes As Normal
At this point, you can confidently put the clothes in your washing machine.
Run your laundry as usual, and remember to keenly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid damaging the machine.
How To Unclog A Washing Machine Drain
You can take caution not to put muddy clothes in your washing machine, but after using it for a long time, you still realize that there are clogs in the drain.
Dirt, soil, mud, long, and other debris build up in the draining pipes, and the pipe eventually clogs.
For this reason, you need to know how you can unclog your washing machine drain. Here are a few steps to follow.
Step One: Gather Your Tools
To unclog a washing machine drain, you will need a number of tools.
Some essential tools are; rubber gloves, a plumber snake, safety glasses, a handheld drill, and a drain unclogging solution.
Step Two: Locate The Drain
The drain is usually located under or behind the washing machine. Detach the tubing so that you can directly access the drain.
Mix the unclogging solution based on the manufacturer’s guidelines and allow it to settle. Pour the mixture into the drain and give it the recommended time to work on clogs.
Step Three: Push The Coil Below The Drain
To remove the blockage, you will use the plumber’s snake to push the coil until you reach the blockage.
Continue turning the snake until it can smoothly pass through the blockage.
If the clog is too hard, you can attach the plumber’s snake to a drill and get an extra handle for attachment.
Keep pushing the plumber’s snake until you hit the blockage, then grip the drill with all hands and pull its trigger so it can spin the snake and unclog the drain.
Step Four: Pull The Snake Out
Turn the snake in clockwise and anticlockwise directions and pull it out of the drain.
If you are removing hard clogs, you must pull the snake several times to ensure you remove all debris.
Step Five: Flush The Pipe
After creating a pathway and ensuring all debris is out, you can now flush the drain with a lot of water to clear any possibly remaining blockages.
Eight Tips For Caring For Your Washing Machine
The washing machine requires adequate maintenance for it to operate well.
Ideally, proper maintenance practices prevent the repetitive breakdown of equipment, thus maintaining its lifespan and durability.
Here are some of the care practices that you can give your washing machine
1. Replace Hoses
Check for bulging, fraying, leaks, or cracks on the hoses and around the ends.
Replace the hoses anytime you notice a problem or after every three years.
2. Keep It Away From The Wall
Make sure there is space between the wall and the washing machine to prevent it from kinking.
3. Keep The Machine Leveled
When in use, some washing machines can vibrate, walk across, or rock on the floor.
These movements can damage the floor or the machine.
It is, therefore, advisable to put the washer on a flat surface and turn the legs clockwise if you want to lower it or anticlockwise if you raise it.
4. Clean The Filters
Depending on your machine, along collector can either be at the top of the washtub or in the agitator tube.
Always keep it clean to enable the washer to operate efficiently.
5. Clean The Machine
After it has helped you wash your clothes, it is your turn to wash them.
Rinse with a washing machine cleaner or make a baking soda, vinegar, and hot water mixture to remove soap residue or any buildup.
6. Prevent Mildew And Odor
After washing, let the door remain open and wipe the rubber seal to remove water particles and ensure the machine doesn’t produce a musty odor.
7. Use Measured Detergent
Read all the instructions on the appliance manual and the detergent before you use any in your machine. Avoid using a lot of soap, as it can damage your clothes and the washer.
8. Avoid Overloading
Only put in the machine the appropriate weight of the laundry. Also, consider the amount of water running through the machine while using it. If you have heavy laundry, consider washing it in small units.
Conclusion
A washing machine is among the many essential appliances in a home. For it to function effectively and efficiently, it should be maintained.
Not putting muddy clothes in a washing machine is among the many care practices offered to it.
Consider the tips above to appropriately wash muddy clothes in a washing machine to avoid damaging them and reduce repair costs.
Sources
https://www.windetergent.com/blogs/how-to/get-mud-out-clothes
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/steps-for-maintaining-your-washing-machine