Maintenance for Washing Machines
Surface cleaning
Washing machines have either a painted steel or porcelain-coated steel cabinet. It's perfectly safe to use a little dish detergent and a damp rag to clean all of its surfaces. If the surface is porcelain, you can even use a small amount of non-abrasive cleanser for stubborn stains.
Lint disposal
Most washing machines collect lint during the wash cycle and send it down the drain during the drain cycle.
Some washing machines collect lint in the center tube of the agitator. You need to lift out that tube and clean it periodically. Other machines have a lint filter near the top of the tub, which you need to slide out, clean off, and reinsert.
Water-fill hoses
Over time, the water hoses that came with your washing machine may leak or burst. It's a good preventive maintenance practice to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Often there's a small blister in the rubber of the hose, which could rupture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every five years. Also, there are steel hoses that can be used in place of the traditional rubber hoses.
-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com