Tips

Should You Close the Lid of Your Washing Machine After Use?

Introducing the Indispensable Workhorse of Every Modern Household: The Washing Machine. But the Question Remains - Should You Leave Its Lid Open or Closed After Use? Let's Delve In and Uncover the Intriguing Answer.

Administrator

28 July, 2024

Nowadays, a washing machine is one of the essential appliances in every household. It helps save a lot of time and effort for your family, especially for homemakers. Let’s join us to find out whether or not to close the lid of the washing machine after use.

1 Why You Shouldn’t Close the Washing Machine Lid Right After Use?

Many people think that closing the lid of the washing machine after doing the laundry is entirely reasonable. Since we have finished using the washing machine, and if we continue to keep the lid open, it will cause the washing machine to get dusty or become unhygienic.

Moreover, we can also be more convenient in placing other objects on top of the washing machine. Therefore, most people will close the lid of the washing machine after use.

Keep the washing machine lid open after washing

In fact, typically, when operating, the washing machine needs to use a large amount of water to clean clothes. So, although the laundry is done, the inside of the washing machine will still be relatively damp.

At that time, if we close the lid of the washing machine right after use, the moisture in the washing machine will not escape but will continue to increase. This will create an environment conducive to the growth and development of bacteria, and our clothes will get dirtier.

2 The Right Way

For the reasons mentioned above, you should not close the lid of the washing machine immediately after use. Besides, you should also not leave the lid of the washing machine open for an extended period. Because if you do not use the washing machine for a long time and keep the lid open, it will be easy for dust and dirt to get inside the washing machine.

Even if some dirty things fall into it, they will affect our clothes after washing, and cause our washing machine to deteriorate faster.

For reference: 14 ways to use the washing machine to save electricity effectively

The most suitable way to deal with the washing machine after washing is to temporarily leave the lid open after removing the washed clothes. Wait until the drum inside is completely dry, and then you can close the lid of the washing machine.

3 Some Notes When Using the Washing Machine

Clean the washing machine properly after use:

After washing clothes, you should use a dry cloth to wipe away any dirt or stains inside and outside the washing machine to prevent bacterial growth. At the same time, you should also hang the water discharge pipe of the washing machine high when not in use to avoid being bitten by mice.

Wash with a moderate amount of laundry:

You should not overload the washing machine with too much laundry, nor should you put too few clothes in it. Because in that case, the clothes will not be thoroughly cleaned, and it will also lead to faster damage to the washing machine.

Level the washing machine:

If the washing machine is not leveled, water may not flow into the tray, and the clothes will not be cleaned properly. In addition, if the drum is tilted, the washing machine will also make noise during operation, and its lifespan will be significantly reduced.

With the information above, now you know whether to close the lid of the washing machine after use or not. Hopefully, you now know how to use the washing machine correctly and most efficiently for your family.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is generally recommended to close the lid of your washing machine after use to prevent dust and other debris from settling on the drum or falling into the machine. This helps keep your machine clean and can prevent potential issues such as mold or musty odors.

Leaving the lid open after a wash cycle can help dry out the machine and prevent moisture buildup, which can be beneficial if you live in a humid environment. It can also help air out the machine and reduce musty odors.

For front-loading washing machines that do not have a lid, it is still important to wipe down the rubber gasket after each use and leave the door ajar to allow for air circulation and drying.

In addition to keeping the lid closed when not in use, regular maintenance is key to preventing mold and odors. This includes using the right amount of detergent, periodically running an empty load with hot water and vinegar or bleach, and wiping down the machine’s surfaces regularly.

Other tips include cleaning the lint trap or filter regularly, using the correct settings for your laundry loads, and not overloading the machine. Following these practices can help extend the life of your washing machine and ensure it runs efficiently.