Your washing machine is one of the most relied-upon machines in your residence, tackling load after load of laundry on a regular basis. The typical washing machine lasts between 10 and 14 years, but with the proper practices, you can extend that lifespan significantly while avoiding costly breakdowns and high repair expenses. Most of what it requires to keep a washer working well for years comes down to a small set of easy, repeatable practices that take very little time or investment.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to keeping your appliance running at its peak.
Stop Overloading Your Washer
Cramming your washing machine is one of the fastest ways to reduce its service life. When clothes absorb water, they become considerably weightier, and a drum packed beyond its limit puts excessive stress on the bearings, motor, and drum support. Continued overfilling speeds up deterioration of elements that can be very costly to replace.
As a basic rule, fill the drum about 75% full and leave space for the laundry to move freely. When washing single bulky pieces such as duvets or pillows, toss in a few towels to help even out the weight across the drum. An poorly balanced drum does not just deteriorate faster, it also creates aggressive vibrations that can shift the machine off-balance and weaken internal components over time.
Always Check That the Machine Is Properly Leveled
Modern washing machines can operate at speeds of up to 1,600 revolutions per minute. When running that fast, even washing machine repair a slight lean in any direction translates into heavy vibration that wears down components and loosens fixtures. Place a level tool on the top panel of the machine and verify it is even in both directions. If the machine is off-balance, correct the adjustable feet by undoing their lock nuts, correcting the height, and re-securing the fasteners once the machine is level. This single step can meaningfully prolong your washer's lifespan and also noticeably eliminates the excessive noise vibrations many homeowners accept as normal operation.
Do Not Use Too Much Soap
Using extra detergent will not give you cleaner laundry, and it puts unneeded strain on your washer. An overdose of detergent leads to severe lather development that the washer finds difficult to rinse away, making it to run extra rinse cycles and break down components faster. Soap residue in the drum and hose system promotes bacteria over time, resulting in the unpleasant scents that many washers commonly exhibit.
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine, always use HE-labeled detergent. Standard detergent creates excessive suds in HE washers, which are built to operate with very little water, and can lead to operational problems over time. In most instances, a 1–2 tablespoons of liquid detergent is adequate for a regular load. When in uncertainty, check your machine's manual for dosage guidance based on the size of your load and water hardness in your area.
Run a Drum-Cleaning Cycle Every Month
The interior of a washing machine drum can accumulate significant buildup of detergent residue, conditioner, body oils, and lime scale deposits even when it looks clean. A consistent monthly drum-cleaning cycle is one of the best care practices any washing machine household can follow.
Many of modern washers feature a integrated cleaning cycle designed specifically to clear the drum and internal parts. If yours is not equipped with one, simply run an empty cycle on the highest temperature using a washing machine cleaning tablet, 2 cups of white vinegar, or sodium bicarbonate. This cycle eliminates collected buildup, neutralizes microorganisms that cause bad smells, and extends the life of drum seals and internal plumbing. This habit is most beneficial for front-load machines, as their close-fitting door gaskets tend to trap water and are highly susceptible to mold growth.
Regularly Flush the Filter and Dispenser Drawer
Most washing machines have a small debris and lint filter, typically found at the front bottom panel, behind a tiny access door. This filter catches lint, small coins, hair ties, and other foreign objects that get into the laundry. Once this filter becomes obstructed, the washer cannot drain as it should, straining the pump and occasionally causing water to stay in the drum after the cycle ends.
Check and clear this filter at least monthly. To clear it, unscrew the filter cover, flush it under the tap, pull out any trapped material by hand, and refit it firmly. Use the moment to pull out the soap drawer as well and clean it out under the faucet. Detergent and conditioner residue accumulates fast in the drawer and can obstruct the water jets that push detergent through to the drum, lowering wash quality without you realizing it.
Inspect and Replace Hoses Regularly
The supply hoses at the back of your washing machine are a component most homeowners overlook, yet a hose failure is one of the most common causes of significant water damage in the home. Standard rubber hoses break down over time and can develop minor fractures or weak areas that ultimately give way under normal water pressure.
Do a visual hose check biannually, looking especially for bulging, surface cracks, worn fittings, or changes in color that suggest the rubber is weakening. The general guidance from most appliance makers is to change out rubber hoses every three to five years as a precautionary measure. Installing reinforced stainless steel hoses is a wise upgrade, as they are significantly stronger and significantly less susceptible to failing. Ensure the fittings are secure at both connection points, at the machine and at the wall valve, and check for any evidence of leaking or moisture.
Always Check Pockets Before Loading Laundry
As simple as it seems, forgotten items in clothing pockets are behind a significant share of washing machine problems. Rigid items including coins, metal keys, fasteners, and metal clips are capable of getting through the drum holes and lodging in the drain pump or harming the drum bearings, leading to increasingly serious mechanical issues. Paper tissues break apart and leave fibrous debris in the lint filter, restricting drainage. Items like balm and pens can break open mid-cycle, discoloring the laundry and depositing stubborn residue on the inside of the drum that is very difficult to eliminate.
Build a quick pocket check into your laundry routine before every individual load. Inverting heavier items inside out makes pocket checking easier, and children's clothing in particular warrant extra attention since crayons, erasers, and like objects are regular uninvited additions.
Leave the Door Open Between Washes
Every time you complete a wash, residual moisture stays inside the drum, around the rubber seal, and within the detergent compartment. Shutting the door immediately after a cycle seals in that humidity inside, producing the ideal moist, warm environment for mold to flourish. This is a particular concern for front-load machines, whose close-fitting door gaskets retain water particularly well.
After unloading your laundry, leave the door or lid open for at least 60 minutes to let circulation and the interior to dry out. For front-loading washers, always take a dry cloth to the rubber door seal after every cycle, paying attention to the inner ridges where dampness pools and mildew is most prone to develop. Simply leaving the door open can eliminate the unpleasant smell that many washing machines develop after a few years of daily operation.
Avoid Vibrating on Hard Surfaces
A washing machine resting directly on hard tile or timber floors passes spin-cycle vibrations straight into the floor, which can push it out of place, loosen internal fittings, and damage the floor below. An anti-vibration mat positioned underneath the machine is a straightforward and inexpensive option. Foam or rubber cushions soak up the energy generated by the spinning cycle and hold the machine securely to its spot. These mats are affordable, are easy to place, and provide a meaningful decrease in both machine noise and machine movement.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.