Your washing machine is among the most hard-working appliances in your home, handling load after load of laundry week after week. The average washing machine is built to last between 10 and 14 years, but with the correct habits, you can extend that lifespan significantly while preventing pricey failures and steep repair costs. The great thing is that keeping your washer in peak condition requires nothing more than a few easy, consistent routines that work with any lifestyle.
Read on for a thorough guide to keeping your washer running at its best.
Avoid Stuffing the Drum Too Full
One of the most harmful things you can do to a washing machine is cram in too much laundry. Wet laundry is far weightier than dry clothing, and an overloaded drum places serious strain on the drum motor, internal bearings, and support assembly. Over time, this leads to early degradation on several of the most expensive parts to repair.
As a general rule, fill the drum about 75% full and leave space for the laundry to tumble freely. If you are washing a lone oversized item like a duvet or pillow set, toss in a pair of towels to help distribute the load. An off-balance drum not only deteriorate faster, it also produces intense vibrations that can push the washer out of position and compromise internal connections over time.
Always Check That the Machine Is Properly Leveled
Modern washing machines are capable of rotating at up to 1,600 RPM. At those speeds, even the slightest tilt can produce serious vibrations that wear down internal parts and compromise fixtures over time. Place a spirit level on top of your machine and check it both ways. Should it be uneven, undo the lock nuts on the adjustable legs, reposition each one until the machine is completely level, and secure the lock nuts snugly back in place. This straightforward fix can meaningfully extend the longevity of your machine and get rid of the loud noise that many people mistakenly accept as normal.
Be Careful How Much Detergent You Add
More soap will not produce cleaner laundry, and it certainly does not mean a more durable machine. An excess of detergent leads to severe suds accumulation that the washer has trouble eliminate, forcing it to run extra rinse cycles and deteriorate elements faster. Accumulated detergent in the drum and hose system attracts bacteria over time, producing the unpleasant smells that many appliances eventually develop.
For high-efficiency washing machines, it is important to use only cleaning agents labeled with the HE label. Regular detergent creates heavy lather in HE washers, which operate with minimal water, and can lead to machine strain over continued use. A tablespoon or two of liquid detergent is enough for the majority of standard cycles. When in doubt, check your machine's manual for usage instructions based on load size and water hardness in your area.
Keep the Drum Clean With Regular Maintenance
Despite looking perfectly clean on the outside, your washing machine's drum quietly builds up deposits from soap, softener, natural oils, and hard water minerals. Running a monthly drum-cleaning cycle is one of the most impactful care routines you can add to your routine.
The bulk of today's washing machine units feature a built-in tub-clean program in their cycle options. If yours lacks this feature, just run an unloaded cycle on the hottest available cycle using a cleaning tablet, white vinegar, or sodium bicarbonate. The heat and cleaner remove residue, destroy microorganisms responsible for bad odors, and preserve the integrity of the gaskets and hoses. Front-loading machines in particular benefit from this consistent practice because their rubber door seals are susceptible to retaining water and developing mold.
Do Not Forget the Filter and Soap Drawer
The majority of washing machines are built with a lint filter at the lower section of the front, accessible through a little copyrightd cover. The filter traps fluff, loose change, hair bands, and other foreign items before they can reach the pump. A obstructed filter stops the machine from draining properly, putting extra stress on the drain pump and occasionally causing pooled water in the drum after the cycle ends.
Make it a routine to clear out the debris filter once a month or so. To service it, remove the filter cap, flush it under fresh water, pull out any collected matter by hand, and reinstall it snugly. Take the chance to slide out the detergent drawer as well and wash it clean under the faucet. Deposits in the detergent drawer can clog the jets that deliver detergent through into the drum, quietly undermining the effectiveness of every wash get more info cycle.
Keep a Close Eye on the Supply Hoses
The inlet hoses at the back of your washing machine are a component most homeowners never think about, yet a burst hose is one of the most frequent causes of serious water damage in the household. Over time, rubber hoses deteriorate from within and form vulnerable areas that can fail unexpectedly, especially under the persistent stress of a operating machine.
Check your hoses biannually for signs of bulging, cracking, fraying near the connectors, or discoloration. The common advice from most appliance makers is to swap rubber hoses every 3 to 5 years as a precautionary practice. Installing stainless steel braided hoses is a smart decision, as they are significantly stronger and much less likely to rupturing. While checking the water hoses, also confirm that both connection points are snug and not exhibiting any moisture.
Empty Pockets Before Every Wash
A simple pocket inspection before loading laundry can prevent more machine faults than most homeowners are aware of. Rigid items like coins, keys, small hardware, and bobby pins can work their way through holes in the drum and either harm the drum bearings on contact or block the drainage system, causing a rattling noise that gets worse over time. Tissue paper dissolves during the wash and leaves fibrous residue in the drain filter, limiting water flow. Lip balm and markers can leak mid the wash, discoloring a whole load and leaving hard-to-remove residue on the inside of the drum that is very stubborn.
Build a quick pocket check into your pre-wash process before every single load. Turn heavy trousers and heavy trousers to the inside to check all pockets easily, and give children's clothes an extra diligent check since miniature toys and crayons are often concealed inside.
Keep the Door Ajar After Every Cycle
After every cycle, dampness remains inside the machine interior, around the door gasket, and in the soap drawer. Closing the door immediately after a cycle seals that residual moisture, and the consequent humid, warm conditions are ideal for mildew growth. Front-load washers face this concern more severely due to their close-fitting rubber seals, which trap moisture in their folds with every wash.
Once you have removed your laundry, prop the door or lid open for a minimum of 60 minutes so airflow can occur and dry the inside. Dry off the rubber gasket on front-loaders with a dry towel, paying attention to the creases in the seal where water tends to pool. Just leaving the door open is one of the cheapest and most proven steps against the recurring musty smell that develops in machines that are habitually left sealed.
Protect Your Floor and Machine With the Right Surface
A washing machine resting flat on tile flooring or timber floors transfers spinning vibrations right through to the floor, which can cause the machine to shift, loosen internal connections, and scratch or warp the floor below. Consider placing an anti-vibration mat under the machine. Made from rubber or dense foam, these cushions dampen the mechanical energy generated during high-speed operation and keep the washer from walking across the floor. These pads are inexpensive, require zero installation, and produce a meaningful decrease in both machine noise and machine movement.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.