Well now, if you ever got yourself a washing machine, and it’s all clogged up with sand, don’t you worry none. This thing happens more often than you think, especially if you live near the beach or got some young ‘uns who like to play in the sand. That little gritty stuff can get everywhere, even inside your washing machine, and boy, that can be a real headache. But don’t you fret, I got some simple ways to help you out, and you ain’t gotta be a fancy expert to do it. Just follow these steps and you’ll have your washing machine runnin’ like new in no time!
Step 1: Get the sand outta the drum
First thing you need to do is open up that washing machine lid or door and take a good look inside. If you can see sand sittin’ in there, it’s gotta go. Now, one way to do this is to just grab a damp cloth, and carefully wipe the sand off the sides and the bottom of the drum. It ain’t that hard if you do it slow-like. Just be gentle so you don’t scratch up the inside of the drum, or it might start leakin’ later on.
If the sand’s all stuck in the holes or crevices, you might need a soft brush or an old toothbrush to get it out. Just be careful not to break anything, you hear? You don’t need to be too rough with it—just a nice gentle scrub will do the trick.
Step 2: Use a vacuum to suck it out
If you got one of them wet/dry shop vacs, that can be mighty handy for this. You just hook up the hose and turn that sucker on. Now, place the hose over the drain hole in your washing machine and let it run for a few minutes. The vacuum will suck up all that sand, and you’ll be amazed at how much it gets out of there. It might take a few tries, but trust me, it works real good.
Step 3: Check for any other sand hiding spots
Once you think you got most of the sand outta the drum, you might wanna check the drain filter too. If the sand’s been stuck in there for a while, it could be clogging up the works. So, go ahead and pull out the filter if you can, and rinse it off. Just make sure it’s all clean before putting it back in.
If you’re not sure how to take out the filter, you can always check the washing machine manual. Don’t worry, it ain’t nothing too complicated, but if you’re feelin’ unsure, you can always call up a repairman to help you out. Ain’t no shame in that!
Step 4: Clean the drain hose
Now, after you done cleaned out the drum and the filter, you should check the drain hose. Sometimes the sand gets stuck in there too, and that can mess up the water flow. If you notice that your washing machine’s draining real slow, then it could be a sign of a clogged hose. You might need to take it off and rinse it out real good. Be careful though, some hoses can be tricky to take off, so you might wanna get some help if you ain’t too sure.
Step 5: Prevent sand from comin’ back
Now, to keep this from happenin’ again, the best thing you can do is shake out all the sand from your clothes and towels before they go into the washer. I know it might seem like a lot of work, but trust me, it’s better than having to deal with a whole bunch of sand stuck inside the machine later. If you got kids, you know they’re always bringin’ sand in from the beach or the sandbox, so just take a minute to shake it off before it goes in the washer.
If you find you’re washing a lot of beach towels or clothes full of sand, it might be a good idea to rinse ‘em off in a bucket or outside with a hose before they go into the machine. That way, you can get rid of most of the sand first, and your washing machine won’t get all clogged up.
Step 6: Regularly clean your washing machine
Another good idea is to regularly clean your washing machine. I know, I know, nobody likes doing extra chores, but a clean machine works better and lasts longer. You can run an empty wash cycle with some vinegar or baking soda every once in a while. This helps get rid of any leftover grime or sand that might be lurking inside.
Just put a cup of vinegar or baking soda in the drum and run a hot water cycle. That’ll clean the drum and the hoses, and help get rid of any bad smells too. It’s a little extra step, but it sure makes a big difference in the long run.
So, there you have it! If you follow these simple steps, you can get that sand outta your washing machine and keep it from coming back. Don’t let a little bit of sand ruin your laundry day, and remember, a little bit of prevention goes a long way. Now go on and get that machine cleaned up, and don’t forget to shake out your clothes before you put ‘em in next time!
Tags:[how to remove sand from washing machine, washing machine maintenance, sand in washing machine, clean washing machine, washing machine tips, preventing sand in washing machine, cleaning washing machine drum, washing machine problems]