To extend the life of your washing machine and have less maintenance on it, set the machine to the longest and hottest wash cycle. Do not add any clothes or detergent. Instead, pour an entire gallon of white vinegar into the tub at the beginning and allow the machine to go through its entire cycle. If you do this routinely, you will extend the life of your washing machine because vinegar removes scum and hard-water buildup.
To help keep your washer from rusting you can either leave the lid or door open or wipe it down after use. This is a page about keep your washing machine from rusting.
