Your washing machine is among the most hard-working devices in your home, processing load after load of laundry week after week. The average washing machine operates between 10 and 14 years, but with the proper routines, you can go well beyond that range while avoiding expensive breakdowns and steep repair expenses. The great thing is that, keeping up with a longer-lasting washing machine requires only a handful of basic steps that cost little to nothing.
Read on for a thorough guide to keeping your washing machine running at its peak.
Never Overload the Machine
Cramming your washing machine is one of the fastest ways to shorten its lifespan. Wet garments is far heavier than unwashed clothes, and an overloaded drum places significant pressure on the drum motor, internal bearings, and structural components. This ongoing stress leads to premature wear on elements that are among the most pricey to service or change.
As a basic rule, fill the drum about three-quarters full and leave capacity for the laundry to tumble freely. For oversized individual pieces like comforters or cushions, balance the drum by adding two or three towels to the wash. A drum that is not properly balanced generates aggressive vibrations that can slowly push the machine out of alignment and loosen internal components.
Always Check That the Machine Is Properly Leveled
High-performance washing machines can hit spin speeds of 1,600 RPM or more. At those velocities, even the most minor lean can generate damaging vibrations that wear down internal components and weaken fixtures over time. Rest a spirit level on the surface of the machine and confirm it is level in both planes. If it be uneven, undo the lock nuts on the adjustable legs, adjust each one until the machine is perfectly flat, and fasten the locking nuts firmly back in place. Taking a few minutes to level your washer correctly can add meaningful years to its life and stop the excessive banging that happens during off-balance spin cycles.
Do Not Use Too Much Soap
More soap does not equal cleaner laundry, and it definitely does not result in a longer-running machine. An overdose of detergent generates too many suds, which the machine must push harder to clear, often initiating additional rinse cycles in the effort. Accumulated detergent in the drum interior and hose system encourages bacteria over time, causing the unpleasant scents that many appliances tend to acquire.
Owners of HE washers should strictly use detergent that is made for HE machines. Conventional detergent generates too many suds in HE washers, which rely on minimal water, and can lead to real mechanical stress over continued use. 1–2 tablespoons of liquid detergent is enough for the most of standard cycles. If you are unsure, refer to your washer's instruction guide for dosage instructions based on load size and water hardness.
Keep the Drum Clean With Regular Maintenance
Even though it is looking spotless on the outside, your washing machine's drum quietly builds up buildup from soap, fabric softener, body oils, and lime scale. A routine once-a-month drum-cleaning cycle is one of the smartest maintenance steps any washing machine owner can take.
Most current washers have a built-in drum-clean program built into the options. If your machine does not have this option, run an unloaded cycle on the most intense program using a descaling tablet, two cups of white vinegar, or a half cup of baking soda. This breaks down residue, kills odor-producing microorganisms, and keeps the drum interior, seals, and hoses in top form. Front-loaders in particular respond best to this monthly habit because their rubber gaskets are likely to develop trapping moisture and developing mildew.
Clean the Filter and Detergent Drawer
The bulk of washing machines are equipped with a lint filter at the bottom of the front, reachable through a small copyrightd cover. Its job is to catch fluff, small coins, hair accessories, and other small items that make their way in the drum. When this filter turns clogged, the machine is unable to drain properly, which puts extra strain on the drain pump and can cause water sitting stagnant inside the drum post-cycle.
Check and rinse this filter at least once a month. To clean it, unscrew the filter plug, rinse it under running water, clear away any trapped material by hand, and reinstall it firmly. Take the opportunity to remove the detergent drawer as well and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Buildup in the dispenser drawer can obstruct the nozzles that push detergent down into the drum, invisibly undermining the performance of every laundry cycle.
Check Your Water Hoses Every Six Months
Most homeowners tend to ignore the inlet hoses behind their washing machine a second thought, yet a hose failure is among the leading causes of significant household water damage. Over time, rubber supply hoses break down internally and develop compromised sections that can fail unexpectedly, especially under the constant water pressure of a in-use machine.
Examine your hoses twice a year for evidence of swelling, visible cracks, fraying at the connection points, or discoloration. The common advice from most manufacturers is to swap rubber hoses every 3–5 years as a proactive measure. Upgrading to braided stainless steel hoses is well worth the modest investment, as these are far more durable and much less likely to rupture. While inspecting the supply lines, also make sure that both fittings are secure and completely free of wetness.
Always Check Pockets Before Loading Laundry
It sounds basic, but items left in pockets are the cause of a significant proportion of washing machine faults. Small change, house keys, screws, and metal clips can get through openings in the drum and deteriorate the bearings or jam in the drainage pump, producing a clog or a rattle that deteriorates with every wash. Tissue paper disintegrates during the wash and leaves paper debris in the lint filter, blocking drain performance. Lip balm, ink pens, and comparable items can melt or burst during a cycle, staining clothes and creating hard-to-remove residue on the drum that is very hard to remove.
Make a quick pocket check into your washing routine before every single load. Inverting thicker clothing the other way enables pocket inspection more thorough, and kids' garments deserve extra care since small toys, erasers, and markers are common unexpected additions.
Always Air Out the Drum After Washing
After every load, humidity stays inside the machine interior, around the rubber door seal, and in the detergent drawer. If you shut the door straight after a load finishes, that enclosed moisture produces the ideal warm, damp environment website that mold and mildew grow. This concern impacts front-loading machines most severely due to their tight rubber seals, which retain dampness in their ridges with every cycle.
After removing your clothes, leave the washer door open for at least 60 minutes to let airflow and the drum to dry. For front-loaders, always apply a dry cloth to the door gasket after unloading, focusing on the inner creases where water gathers and mold and mildew is most apt to grow. Simply keeping the door open is one of the least expensive and most proven measures against the stubborn unpleasant scent that develops in machines that are consistently kept closed.
Avoid Vibrating on Hard Surfaces
A washing machine placed directly on hard tile or wooden flooring transfers high-RPM vibrations right through to the floor, which can push it out of place, compromise internal components, and damage the surface beneath it. Placing an anti-vibration pad beneath the washer is an inexpensive solution that delivers significant results. These foam or rubber mats dampen machine vibrations and hold the machine firmly in place. These cushions are affordable, are effortless to put in place, and deliver a noticeable reduction in both vibration noise and the stability of the washer.
Reach out to a trusted repair technician now for fast, affordable washing machine repair.