Whether you are renovating your kitchen or moving house, there may come a time when you need to move and store your washing machine and you want to do it correctly. Washing machines are expensive appliances and they are much needed in our day to day so you do not want it to get damaged whilst being moved and stored. Within this article we are going to talk you through how to properly store a washing machine and how your Storage rooms Earlsfield will provide the perfect storage.

Preparing Your Washing Machine For Storage

There are many steps you need to take in order to prepare your washing machine for storage. We are going to take you through these, step by step, to make sure your washing machine is safely stored, ready for when you next use it. 

Cleaning The Washing Machine

To begin, it is essential that you clean your washing machine before placing it in storage as this will help to maintain its condition and prevent issues arising. 

You can hire someone to clean it for you. This will guarantee a professional clean but you can also clean it yourself. 

Firstly, you will want to wipe down the exterior with a clean cloth, paying extra attention to areas where dirt can build up such as the control panel, knobs and door handle. Next, you want to wipe the interior, including the drum or tub. To give it a really good clean inside, you may wish to use a washing machine cleaner. After cleaning the interior, leave the washing machine door or lid open for a while to allow the interior to dry completely.

Whilst it is drying, you can clean the detergent compartments and filters. Rinse them thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue or debris and ensure they are completely dry before reinstalling them. If your washing machine has a specific maintenance cycle option, it is a good idea to consider running it before storing the machine. This cycle helps eliminate any remaining residues and keeps the machine in optimal condition.

Disconnect And Drain 

Once the washing machine is clean, you will want to disconnect and drain it. This can minimise the risk of water-related issues, keep the machine clean and dry, and help ensure its smooth functioning when you’re ready to use it again.

To do this, you will need to follow these steps:

• Unplug the washing machine. This ensures your safety during the disconnection process.
• Locate the water supply valves behind the washing machine and turn them clockwise to shut off the water flow. This prevents any water from entering the machine during the disconnection and draining process.
• Get a large bucket and place it near the washing machine to collect the water that will be drained.
• Locate the water supply hoses at the back of the washing machine. There are usually two hoses—one for hot water and one for cold water. Start with the hot water hole. Use pliers or a wrench to loosen the hose connections. Be prepared for some residual water to come out when disconnecting the hoses.
• Once the hoses are disconnected, hold them over the bucket or container and allow any remaining water to drain out. You can gently shake or squeeze the hoses to facilitate the drainage process.
• Open the washing machine door and remove any remaining water from the tub or drum. If the machine has a built-in drain mechanism, you can manually empty the water with a small cup or scoop.
• Once the water is drained, leave the washing machine door or lid open for a while to allow the interior to dry completely

Securing The Drum 

Once your washing machine is disconnected and drained, you will need to secure the drum. When you first bought your washing machine, it would have come with a drum lock or transit bolts for transportation purposes. 

Find out your washing machine instructions and use them to see how to use the drum lock or transit bolts to secure the drum. 

Packing Your Washing Machine For Storage 

Next, you will want to pack your washing machine ready for being moved to storage. You simply need to use a clean cloth or plastic sheet to wrap around the machine. Don’t wrap it super tight as you want to keep some ventilation to prevent moisture build up. A cloth or plastic sheet will protect the washing machine from dust, dirt, and scratches during transportation and storage. You will want to wrap it in such a way that, when it is in storage, you can keep the door open. This allows for air circulation and helps prevent the growth of mould and mildew inside the machine. This practice helps keep the interior fresh and reduces the risk of unpleasant odours or damage caused by stagnant air.

Keep the washing machine upright and do not stack any heavy items on top of it as this could damage the machine and cause problems with its stability. 

Choosing The Right Storage Location

When it comes to where to store your washing machine, you want to pick the right type of location. You need a location that is clean and dry. Moisture could cause mould, mildew, and corrosion, so a dry environment is essential. Avoid areas prone to water leaks or high humidity. You will also want to keep the surroundings clean to prevent debris from entering the machine.

Utilise Storage Rooms Earlsfield 

An excellent place to store your washing machine would be one of our storage rooms Earlsfield. They will give you a clean, dry storage space in which your washing machine will be safe and secure. 

Our storage rooms Earlsfield start at 10 square feet and go up to 400 sq ft so we will definitely be able to find you a room that is perfect for your needs. Each of our storage rooms Earslfield is fitted with an intruder alarm and smoke and fire detectors so your washing machine will be safe from theft and environmental factors. There is also 24/7 CCTV surveillance around the entire Earlsfield facility for an extra level of security. 

Making Regular Checks To Your Washing Machine 

Once you have chosen where to store your washing machine, you will want to make regular checks on it. This will help you to ensure that it is okay and that no problems have arisen. And, if a problem has arisen, you will catch it early and be able to sort it before any permanent damage is done to your washing machine. 

You can also check to make sure that the door is still open. This is important as it allows for air circulation which prevents mould and mildew from growing in your machine.

How Storage Rooms Earlsfield Will Help You With Washing Machine Storage 

When you need to move and store your washing machine, it is important that you do it correctly as this will help to prevent damage that would be expensive to fix. 

It is important that, before you place your washing machine in storage, that you clean, disconnect and drain it and secure the drum. 

When it comes to packing your washing machine to be moved, it is important that you wrap it in a cloth or plastic sheet to prevent scratches and dust build up but wrap it in such a way that, once it is in storage, you can leave the door open. This allows air to circulate and prevents mould from growing. 

You will want to choose the right storage location and our storage rooms Earlsfeld are an excellent choice. 

We hope you have found our advice helpful and if you would like to know more about our storage rooms Earlsfield, please give us a call on: 02030 079 683 or click here.