What to Do if Gravel Gets Into Your Washing Machine

Well, ain’t it a mess when you find gravel in your washing machine, huh? Now, I ain’t no expert, but I reckon if you ain’t careful, stuff like that can sure cause a heap of trouble for your washer. First thing, let me tell ya, don’t panic! You ain’t the only one who’s had this happen. It’s more common than you might think, and trust me, there’s always a way to fix things, even when they seem all busted up.

Now, you might be wondering how in the world did gravel get in there? Well, it don’t take much. You know how it is—sometimes we forget to check our pockets, or maybe you got your clothes a little too dirty and didn’t shake ’em out proper before throwin’ ’em in the wash. Sometimes it could even be from a load of laundry with clothes that came from outside, like jeans or work clothes from the yard, and they got a little gravel or dirt stuck in ’em.

But if you’re hearing that loud noise, like something’s rattling around in there, that’s a sign. It might not be just gravel; it could be a coin or some other small thing that’s found its way in. Don’t be afraid to check! I tell ya, them washing machines ain’t as delicate as they look, but they do need a little love and care. So, let’s talk about how to get that gravel outta there.

1. Turn off the machine and unplug it.

First thing’s first, turn that washing machine off and unplug it from the wall. You don’t wanna be fiddlin’ with anything while it’s still runnin’. Safety’s always gotta come first! Once that’s done, go ahead and open up the door or lid. Look around, and see if you can spot anything obvious, like pieces of gravel or even some other junk that’s snuck in there.

2. Check the drum and the filter.

Now, you gotta look inside the drum where the clothes go. Sometimes, them little rocks can get stuck right there. If you see anything, like pebbles or dirt, just pick it out with your hands or use a small vacuum cleaner to suck it up. But don’t stop there—check the filter too. Every washing machine’s got one, and sometimes gravel can get stuck there, blocking the pump. If you don’t clean that filter, your washer might not work properly, or it could even break down on you!

3. Run a cleaning cycle.

Once you’ve got all the obvious stuff out, it’s time to give your machine a good clean. If you got a little bit of vinegar around, use it! Pour about two cups of distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run a hot cycle with nothing in the washer. That vinegar will help clean out any remaining gunk or dirt that’s stuck inside, and it won’t hurt your washer one bit. Just make sure to run the cycle empty so it can do its thing.

4. Check the pump.

If that gravel’s still causing trouble after you’ve done all that, you might need to check the pump. The pump is what moves the water in and out of the machine, and if there’s gravel in there, it could block it up. Some folks can fix this by themselves if they’re handy with tools, but if you ain’t sure, don’t hesitate to call a repairman. Better to be safe than sorry!

5. Prevention is key.

Now, the best way to keep gravel from getting in your washing machine in the first place is to check your clothes before you toss ’em in. Make sure there ain’t no rocks, coins, or any other bits of junk hiding in your pockets. And maybe give your clothes a good shake before washing, especially if you’ve been working outside or walking around on gravel roads. Simple steps like that can save you a lot of headaches down the road.

So, there you go. Gravel in your washing machine? Ain’t no big deal if you know what to do. Just take your time, follow the steps, and before long, your washer’ll be back to its old self, ready to clean up whatever you throw at it. And remember, a little maintenance goes a long way, so don’t forget to keep an eye on that machine every now and then. Ain’t no machine gonna last forever without a little bit of care.

Hope this helps y’all! Now, go on and get that washer fixed up, and don’t let the gravel win!

Tags：[gravel in washing machine, washing machine maintenance, how to clean washing machine, fix washing machine, washing machine problems, remove gravel from washing machine, washing machine tips]