By Techsmith Electronics | Nairobi, Kenya 📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0704843613

Need fast help? Jump to any mistake below for a quick fix, then scroll down for the full step-by-step guide.

⚡ Quick Answer Summary

🔍 Why This Matters

Your washing machine is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. Yet most breakdowns — from worn bearings to mouldy drums — are 100% preventable. At Techsmith Electronics, we repair hundreds of machines every year, and the same five mistakes come up again and again.

Read this guide, avoid these errors, and your machine could last 10–15 years instead of burning out in five.

Mistake #1: Overloading the Drum

⚡ Quick Answer

Never fill your washing machine more than ¾ full. Overloading strains the motor, damages bearings, and throws the machine off balance — leading to loud banging and early failure.

📋 Detailed Guide

Why overloading is so damaging:

When you stuff too many clothes into the drum, the machine cannot rotate the load evenly. This forces the motor to work harder than it was designed to, generating excess heat and mechanical stress. Over time, this wears out the drum bearings — one of the most expensive repairs on any washing machine.

Overloading also means your clothes don’t actually get clean. Water and detergent can’t circulate freely through a packed drum, leaving dirt and soap residue trapped in the fabric.

Signs you’re overloading:

• The machine vibrates or “walks” across the floor during spin cycles
• Loud banging or knocking noises during washing
• Clothes come out still soapy or not fully clean
• The machine stops mid-cycle or throws an error code

How to load correctly:

1. Check your machine’s capacity rating — it’s in the user manual or on a label inside the door. Common sizes are 6 kg, 7 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg.
2. Use the hand test — place your hand flat on top of the load. You should be able to fit your hand between the clothes and the top of the drum.
3. For front-loaders — do not pack clothes past the door seal. Leave at least 10 cm of space at the top.
4. For bulky items like duvets and blankets — wash one item at a time, or take them to a laundromat with a larger capacity machine.
5. Redistribute the load if the machine starts banging. Pause the cycle, open the door, and spread the clothes evenly.

💡 Techsmith Tip: If your machine is vibrating excessively, it may also be unlevel. Use a spirit level on top of the machine and adjust the feet until it sits flat.

Mistake #2: Using Too Much (or the Wrong) Detergent

⚡ Quick Answer

Use only the amount marked on the detergent cap or packaging. Too much soap creates excess foam that can’t rinse out, damaging the drum seals and leaving your clothes smelling musty.

📋 Detailed Guide

The hidden danger of excess detergent:

Most people assume more soap means cleaner clothes. The opposite is true. Excess detergent produces too much foam, which cushions the mechanical action of the drum — meaning clothes don’t actually rub against each other and get clean. Worse, the residual foam coats the inside of the machine, creating a film where bacteria and mould thrive.

In front-loaders especially, excess foam can seep into the door gasket and motor housing, leading to leaks and electrical faults.

Using the wrong detergent type:

Modern High-Efficiency (HE) machines require low-suds HE detergent. Using regular detergent in an HE machine generates far too much foam and can void your warranty.

How to use detergent correctly:

1. Always check the detergent packaging for the recommended dose based on load size and water hardness.
2. Use the dispenser drawer properly — powder goes in the main wash compartment, liquid can go in the drum or a dosing ball, fabric softener goes in the separate compartment marked with a flower symbol.
3. For HE machines — use half the amount you’d use in a traditional machine, and only buy detergent labelled “HE” or “suitable for HE washers.”
4. Hard water areas (common in many parts of Nairobi) — you may need slightly more detergent, but still stay within the recommended maximum.
5. If your machine smells soapy or musty — run two empty rinse cycles to flush out residue, then reduce your detergent going forward.

💡 Techsmith Tip: If you see foam coming from the door or detergent drawer during a wash, this is a sure sign you’re using too much soap. Reduce by 30–50% and see if the problem clears.

Mistake #3: Leaving Wet Clothes in the Drum

⚡ Quick Answer

Remove your laundry as soon as the cycle finishes. Leaving wet clothes sitting inside — even for a couple of hours — breeds mould and mildew inside the drum, creating a smell that’s very hard to remove.

📋 Detailed Guide

What happens inside a closed, wet drum:

A closed washing machine drum with wet laundry inside is a perfect environment for mould: warm, dark, and damp. Within 1–2 hours, bacteria and mildew begin to grow on the rubber door seal, the drum surface, and even the heating element. This smell transfers directly to your clothes — and once it’s embedded in the machine, it takes several deep-cleaning cycles to fully eliminate.

For front-loaders, the thick rubber door gasket (the seal around the door) is the number one spot where black mould develops. This not only smells terrible but can cause the gasket to deteriorate and start leaking.

How to prevent mould and odour buildup:

1. Set a phone reminder when you start a wash so you don’t forget to unload it.
2. Use a machine with a delayed end-of-cycle alert — most modern machines beep when done. If yours doesn’t, use your phone timer.
3. After unloading, leave the door ajar — even 5–10 cm of airflow after each wash prevents moisture from building up inside the drum.
4. Wipe down the door gasket after every wash with a dry cloth, paying special attention to the bottom fold where water collects.
5. If mould has already developed — mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply to the gasket, leave for 30 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and wipe clean.

💡 Techsmith Tip: If your machine has a “drum dry” or “air dry” programme, use it once a week. It circulates air through the drum for 30–60 minutes, drastically reducing moisture buildup.

Mistake #4: Never Cleaning the Filter or Lint Trap

⚡ Quick Answer

Clean your washing machine filter every 1–2 months. A blocked filter restricts water drainage, puts strain on the pump motor, and can cause flooding on your laundry room floor.

📋 Detailed Guide

Where is the filter and why does it clog?

Every washing machine has a pump filter (also called a lint trap or coin trap) designed to catch fluff, coins, hair clips, and small items before they reach the pump. Over time, this filter becomes blocked with debris, preventing the machine from draining water properly.

A blocked filter is one of the most common causes of the E3, F21, or “drain error” fault codes seen on modern machines. It can also cause the machine to stop mid-cycle with standing water in the drum.

How to clean the filter step by step:

1. Locate the filter — on most front-loaders, it’s behind a small panel at the bottom front of the machine. On top-loaders, it may be inside the drum rim or in the agitator. Check your manual if unsure.
2. Prepare for water spillage — place a shallow tray and old towels on the floor before opening the filter. There will always be some residual water.
3. Unscrew the filter cap slowly — turn it anti-clockwise. Let the water drain into your tray.
4. Remove the filter completely and rinse it under running water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away lint, hair, and debris.
5. Check the filter housing — shine a torch inside and remove any debris caught in the cavity.
6. Reinsert the filter and tighten firmly. Run a short cycle and check for leaks.

⚠️ Warning: Never run your machine without the filter in place. The pump will be damaged by debris within a single cycle.

💡 Techsmith Tip: While you’re at the filter, check your pockets before every wash. Coins and keys are the number one cause of filter blockages and pump damage.

Mistake #5: Skipping Regular Maintenance Cycles

⚡ Quick Answer

Run a hot empty maintenance wash once a month. This flushes out detergent residue, limescale, and bacteria — keeping your machine fresh and your components working smoothly for years longer.

📋 Detailed Guide

What builds up inside your machine over time:

Every wash leaves behind tiny amounts of detergent residue, fabric softener, body oils, and mineral deposits from hard water. Over months, this builds up into a thick biofilm on the drum, heating element, and internal pipes. The result is reduced heating efficiency (your machine uses more electricity to reach temperature), bad odours, and eventually, a failed heating element.

In Nairobi’s water supply, which tends to be moderately hard, limescale buildup on heating elements is a particularly common cause of machine failure.

How to run a proper maintenance wash:

1. Make sure the drum is completely empty — no clothes, no items left behind.
2. Add a maintenance product to the detergent drawer: either a dedicated washing machine cleaner (available at most supermarkets), or 250 ml of white vinegar in the main wash compartment.
3. Add 100 g of bicarbonate of soda directly into the drum for extra deodorising power.
4. Select the hottest cycle available — 60°C or 90°C if your machine offers it. This is essential: cold water will not dissolve grease or kill bacteria effectively.
5. Run the full cycle without interruption. Do not use a quick wash for maintenance — the long cycle is necessary.
6. After the cycle, wipe down the drum interior, door seal, and detergent drawer with a damp cloth.
7. Leave the door open for at least 2 hours to allow everything to fully dry.

Additional monthly maintenance checklist:

• [ ] Check and clean the detergent drawer — remove it completely and rinse under the tap
• [ ] Inspect the door seal for cracks, mould, or tears
• [ ] Check the water inlet hoses at the back for bulging or leaks
• [ ] Ensure the machine is still level (feet can loosen over time)
• [ ] Clean the exterior with a damp cloth — avoid harsh chemicals on the control panel

💡 Techsmith Tip: If you live in a hard water area, add a limescale inhibitor tablet to your maintenance wash. This dissolves mineral deposits from the heating element and drum, significantly extending your machine’s lifespan.

🛠️ When to Call a Professional

Some issues go beyond DIY maintenance. Contact Techsmith Electronics immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Burning smell during or after a wash — switch off immediately at the mains
• Sparking from the back or bottom of the machine
• Water pooling underneath the machine that doesn’t stop after cleaning the filter
• Drum not spinning or spinning very slowly even on a low load
• Error codes that persist after a reset and filter clean
• Unusual grinding or screeching during the spin cycle

📞 Contact Techsmith Electronics

Don’t wait until a small problem becomes a costly repair. Our certified technicians are available across Nairobi for same-day diagnosis and repair of all washing machine brands and models.

📱 Call or WhatsApp: 0704843613

Techsmith Electronics — Nairobi’s Trusted Appliance Repair Specialists

Fast response • Genuine spare parts • Warranty on all repairs

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