Now I don't close the washing machine door like before. I explain why

Previously, in our house it was customary to close the washing machine after washing. I didn’t attach any special significance to this fact. It just seemed like it would make the bathroom more orderly. My husband and I are used to putting everything in its place, and we teach our children to do the same. I soon had to reconsider my opinion on this matter.

Arguments from a service center technician

One day after washing, our washing machine refused to drain the water. An emergency situation required calling a specialist. The technician from the service center quickly determined the cause of the breakdown - the drain pump had failed. I had to change an expensive part. At the same time, an employee of the repair organization told us how to properly operate such equipment and asked some questions.

In particular, he asked whether I close the washing machine door after washing or leave it ajar for a while. Having learned that the loading hatch was constantly closed, the foreman recommended not to do so. According to him, this nuance may bring the next repair of his beloved assistant closer. The following arguments were given:

• the elasticity of the rubber seal is lost;
• water vapor causes corrosion of individual elements;
• a humid environment promotes the development of bacteria and the appearance of mold inside the machine;
• drain hoses may become clogged;
• the accumulated suspension causes damage to the drain pump.

Not only the internal parts of the unit can be damaged. When loading and washing the next batch of laundry, harmful microorganisms get on it, which is dangerous to health. It is difficult to completely clean out mold that has grown in a warm, humid environment. You won't be able to do this on your own. You will again have to call a specialist for professional cleaning, and this will require new costs.

How long after washing should I keep the hatch ajar?

Ideally, it is better not to close the machine door from wash to wash, leaving a wider gap. In reality, this is not always convenient. If there are little urchins in the house running around at breakneck speed, they may stumble upon an open hatch and damage it. In this case, the children themselves may be injured.

In fact, it is recommended in the instructions for the unit to keep the door ajar. As soon as the washing cycle has ended, it is better to open the hatch completely and hold it in this position for 3-4 hours. After this, you can close the door, leaving a narrow gap 3-5 cm wide. If you wash frequently (every day or two), it is better not to close the machine hermetically. If the unit is used once every 3-5 days, you can close the hatch a couple of days after the last wash.

It used to happen that after you open the machine to load another portion of laundry into it, you can hear a repulsive musty smell from inside. On wet surfaces, bacteria fed on microscopic tissue fibers and epithelial particles and actively multiplied. Now I forgot about this problem. The smell disappeared.

Is it necessary to wipe down the car additionally?

That same master advised us not only to keep the hatch slightly open, but also to take extra care of the car to help it dry out faster. After each wash, I wipe the sealing collar with a rag. Once every 2-3 weeks I soak a rag in a solution with any chlorine-containing product.

Can be used:

• "Whiteness";
• "Domestos";
• "Abacteril";
• "Sanfor".

Special chlorine-impregnated wipes are also suitable. They can be purchased at home appliance departments. This treatment will serve as an excellent prevention of mold and bacterial colonies.

It is advisable to simultaneously pull out the tray to load washing powder so that it also dries faster. If the design of the machine allows, the tray can be removed, washed and wiped dry with a cloth. It is also permissible to use paper towels for this purpose. Metal internal surfaces will dry out on their own within a few hours.

The friends with whom I discussed this issue unanimously agreed that it is better to keep the washing machine door slightly open for 1-2 days after washing or not close it at all. In this case, it is necessary to regularly clean the folds of the sealing cuff and the powder compartment, especially if the laundry is washed with conditioner. In this case, you can use the machine comfortably for a long time.