Your washing machine is one of the most heavily used devices in your residence, running countless loads of laundry week after week. While most washing machines are designed to operate for 10 to 14 years, consistent upkeep practices can add years to its life and help you steer clear of unplanned repair bills. Most of what it requires to keep a washer working well for years comes down to a handful of simple, regular habits that require minimal effort or expense.
Read on for a complete guide to keeping your washing machine running at its peak.
Avoid Stuffing the Drum Too Full
Overloading your washing machine is one of the surest ways to reduce its service life. When clothes absorb water, they become considerably heavier, and a drum filled beyond its capacity puts excessive stress on the bearings, motor, and drum structure. Over time, this causes premature degradation on a number of the most pricey components to replace.
A good recommendation is to fill the drum to around 75% capacity, giving garments adequate room to move to tumble during the cycle. If you are washing a single oversized item like a blanket or set of pillows, add a couple of towels to help balance out the drum load. Beyond quicker breakdown, an poorly loaded load generates intense vibrations that can push the machine and damage key internal fittings.
Make Sure Your Washer Sits Flat
Current-generation washing machines can hit spin speeds of 1,600 RPM or more. At those velocities, even the most minor lean can create significant vibrations that deteriorate internal components and loosen fixtures over time. Place a spirit level on top of your machine and check it front-to-back and side-to-side. If it is not level, undo the adjustment nuts on the adjustable legs, raise or lower each foot until the machine is completely level, then secure everything securely. This straightforward step can significantly prolong the lifespan of your machine and get rid of the disruptive sounds that many households assume is normal.
Be Careful How Much Detergent You Add
More soap does not mean cleaner laundry, and it absolutely does not produce a more durable machine. Excess detergent produces too many suds, which the machine must push harder to clear, often initiating extra cycles in the meantime. Detergent buildup in the drum interior and internal pipes promotes microorganisms over time, resulting in the musty odors that many washers tend to acquire.
If you have a energy-efficient (HE) machine, always use HE-labeled detergent. Standard detergent creates way too many suds in HE washers, which are engineered for very little water, and can cause mechanical issues over time. For most everyday loads, just one to two tablespoons of liquid detergent is enough. If you are unsure, refer to your washer's handbook for measurement instructions based on how full the drum is and water mineral content.
Keep the Drum Clean With Regular Maintenance
The inner surface of a washing machine drum can accumulate heavy deposits of soap buildup, conditioner, skin oils, and lime scale deposits even when it looks clean. A regular monthly drum-cleaning cycle is one of the best maintenance steps any washing machine household can follow.
Many of modern washers feature a integrated drum-clean cycle programmed directly to clean the drum and internal parts. Without a integrated cleaning program, an empty hot-water wash with a descaler or 2 cups of white vinegar delivers the same outcome. The hot water and cleaning solution break down residue, eliminate odor-causing bacteria that cause bad odors, and preserve the condition of the gaskets and hoses. Front-loading machines in particular respond best to this consistent practice because their rubber door seals are susceptible to trapping moisture and growing mold and mildew.
Clean the Filter and Detergent Drawer
A lint filter is a typical part on most washing machines, usually found behind a small cover at the lower front of the appliance. This filter catches lint, change, hair ties, and other small pieces that sneak into the drum. A obstructed filter keeps the machine from draining as it should, placing extra strain on the pump and occasionally causing pooled water within the machine after the cycle ends.
Try to check and clean this filter at least monthly. To clean it, unscrew the filter cap, flush it under running water, pull out any debris by hand, and replace it firmly. While you are there, take out the dispenser drawer entirely and rinse it clean under the tap. Buildup in the detergent drawer can block the jets that direct detergent into the drum, quietly undermining the quality of every laundry cycle.
Check Your Water Hoses Every Six Months
The supply hoses attaching your washer to the water source are often ignored, but a ruptured line stands as one of the most common causes of major water damage in homes. Over time, standard hoses deteriorate from within and create compromised sections that can give way suddenly, especially under the persistent stress of a running machine.
Every half year, check your water lines carefully for any bubbling, cracking, fraying at the fittings, or discoloration that suggest the rubber is weakening. Most makers recommend changing rubber supply hoses every three to five years even if you see obvious wear. Stainless steel braided hoses are a smart upgrade over basic, providing greatly improved strength and a much lower risk of sudden failure. While inspecting the water hoses, also verify that both fittings are secure and completely free of wetness.
Always Check Pockets Before Loading Laundry
As simple as it appears, forgotten items in clothing pockets cause a significant portion of washing machine breakdowns. Metal objects like loose change, keys, small hardware, and bobby pins can work their way through drum perforations and either harm the drum bearings immediately or jam the drainage system, producing a rattling sound that gets worse over time. Paper tissues disintegrates during the wash and deposits lint in the drain filter, blocking drainage. Chapstick, ballpoint pens, and comparable items can leak mid-cycle, staining laundry and creating difficult residue on drum surfaces that is very tricky to clean.
Always run your hands through every pocket as part of your normal loading process. Flipping jeans the other way allows pocket searching more thorough, and children's clothes need special attention since little objects, small supplies, and stationery are common unexpected additions.
Leave the Door Open Between Washes
Completing a wash cycle does not mean the interior of your machine is completely dry, as humidity collects in the drum interior, rubber seal, and soap drawer after every cycle. Sealing the door right after a cycle seals that residual moisture, and the consequent warm, damp environment are perfect for mold development. This problem impacts front-loading machines most acutely due to their close-fitting rubber seals, which hold water in their creases with every cycle.
Once you have removed your clothes, prop the lid or door open for a minimum of an hour so airflow can occur and air out the inside. Dry off the rubber seal on front-loaders with a clean dry cloth, focusing on the folds in the rubber where dampness accumulates. This one practice alone can stop the musty scent that many washing machines develop after a year or two of daily operation.
Protect Your Floor and Machine With the Right Surface
If your washing machine rests directly on a hard tile or timber floor, machine vibrations during the spin cycle can steadily push it out of place, weaken connections, and even damage flooring over time. An rubber mat placed underneath the machine is a easy and affordable fix. These dense rubber pads dampen machine forces and anchor the washer solidly in washing machine repair position. These pads are affordable, require zero installation, and deliver a real decrease in both vibration sounds and washer movement.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.