Few appliances in your residence work as tirelessly as your washing machine, tackling countless loads of laundry throughout the year. The typical washing machine is built to last between 10 and 14 years, but with the proper routines, you can go well beyond that range while avoiding pricey breakdowns and high repair bills. The great thing is that keeping your washer in top shape requires nothing more than a few simple, reliable habits that fit into any routine.
Here is everything you need to know.
Stop Overloading Your Washer
Packing too much laundry into your washer is one of the most frequent and harmful mistakes homeowners fall into. Once laundry absorbs water with water, its mass increases significantly, putting serious strain on the drum bearings, motor, and support components. Over time, this causes premature degradation on a number of the most pricey parts to service.
As a standard rule, fill the drum about 75% full and leave room for the laundry to tumble freely. If you are washing a single bulky item like a comforter or pillows, throw in a pair of towels to help distribute the weight. A drum that is not evenly loaded creates aggressive vibrations that can steadily move the machine out of alignment and damage internal connections.
Always Check That the Machine Is Properly Leveled
Modern washing machines can spin at speeds of up to 1,600 revolutions per minute. At that velocity, even the smallest tilt can generate serious vibration that gradually damages internal elements and compromises connections. Place a bubble level on top of your machine and confirm it both ways. If the machine is unlevel, adjust the adjustable feet by undoing their lock nuts, fixing the position, and refastening the nuts once the machine is even. This single check can add years to your washer's lifespan and also noticeably eliminates the loud banging sounds many homeowners accept as normal operation.
Do Not Use Too Much Soap
Using additional detergent will not give you cleaner laundry, and it puts unnecessary strain on your washer. Excess detergent generates too many suds, which the machine must push harder to eliminate, often running extra wash cycles in the effort. Over time, soap buildup builds up inside the drum, internal hoses, and pump, producing a environment for bacteria and resulting in stubborn unpleasant odors.
Users of HE washers should exclusively use detergent that is specifically formulated for HE machines. Regular detergent is problematic in the minimal-water operation of HE washers and produces foam-related problems that worsen with every load. In most instances, a 1–2 tablespoons of liquid detergent is all you need for a regular load. When in doubt, check your machine's user guide for usage instructions based on load size and water hardness in your area.
Keep the Drum Clean With Regular Maintenance
Even if your machine looks clean from the surface, residue from detergent, softener, oils, and mineral deposits gradually builds up inside the machine interior over time. Scheduling a routine drum-cleaning wash is one of the most straightforward and most impactful things you can do for your appliance's condition.
Many of modern washers include a built-in drum-clean cycle programmed specifically to flush out the drum and internal parts. Without a built-in clean cycle, an unloaded hot cycle with a cleaning tablet or 2 cups of white vinegar delivers the same outcome. This wash removes accumulated residue, neutralizes odor-causing organisms that cause bad smells, and prolongs the condition of rubber gaskets and internal plumbing. Owners of front-load washers should be particularly consistent with drum cleaning since the rubber door seals on these machines are very susceptible to mold.
Clean the Filter and Detergent Drawer
A lint and debris filter is a common component on most washing machines, generally found behind a little door at the lower front of the machine. This filter collects lint, coins, hair ties, and other stray items that sneak into the drum. A blocked filter stops the machine from draining efficiently, adding more load on the drain pump and potentially leaving stagnant water inside the drum after the cycle ends.
Try to inspect and rinse this filter at least monthly. Simply remove it, clean it with fresh water, take out any collected material, and screw it back in position. Take the chance to pull out the dispenser drawer as well and clean it out under running water. Deposits in the dispenser drawer can clog the jets that deliver detergent through into the drum, invisibly compromising the performance of every wash cycle.
Keep a Close Eye on the Supply Hoses
Most homeowners never give the water hoses behind their washing machine a second glance, yet a ruptured hose is among the leading causes of significant household water damage. Over time, rubber hoses deteriorate from within and form compromised sections that can give way unexpectedly, especially under the persistent stress of a operating machine.
Every two quarters, check your hoses closely for any bulging, cracking, wear at the fittings, or unusual coloring that indicate the rubber is weakening. Most brands typically recommend replacing conventional rubber hoses on a 3–5 year schedule even if they look fine. Upgrading to reinforced hoses is a good value for the modest investment, as these are far more durable and much less likely to fail. While checking the water hoses, also make sure that both connection points are tight and showing no wetness.
Always Check Pockets Before Loading Laundry
It sounds obvious, but items left in pockets are the cause of a surprising share of washing machine problems. Coins, house keys, screws, and hair clips can slip through perforations in the drum and deteriorate the bearing assembly or jam in the drainage pump, creating a jam or a rattling noise that deteriorates with every load. Tissues break apart and leave fibrous debris in the lint filter, restricting drainage. Chapstick and markers can rupture mid a cycle, staining the entire load and leaving stubborn residue on the drum interior that is very difficult to remove.
Always search every pocket as part of your regular pre-wash routine. Invert heavy trousers and heavy trousers the other way to access all pockets easily, and devote kids' clothes an extra thorough check since little toys and erasers commonly hidden in pockets.
Always Air Out the Drum After Washing
Running a laundry cycle does not mean the inside of your machine is dry, as moisture builds up in the drum interior, door seal, and soap drawer after every wash. If you shut the door right after a wash completes, that sealed-in dampness forms the ideal moist, warm conditions for mold and mildew to thrive. It is a particular concern for front-load machines, whose snug door gaskets hold moisture particularly well.
Once you have unloaded your laundry, leave the door or lid open for a at least 60 minutes so airflow can occur and air out the interior. For front-loading washers, always take washing machine repair a dry cloth to the rubber door seal after every cycle, paying attention to the inner ridges where dampness pools and mold and mildew is most apt to grow. Simply propping the door open is one of the cheapest and most proven defenses against the persistent unpleasant scent that plagues machines that are always kept shut.
Avoid Vibrating on Hard Surfaces
Hard flooring beneath a washing machine give no cushioning for spin-cycle vibrations, enabling them to slowly move the machine from its spot and create damage on both the washer and the flooring. An rubber mat installed underneath the machine is a straightforward and affordable option. Dense rubber pads dampen the vibration created by the spin cycle and anchor the machine solidly to its position. These cushions are affordable, take seconds to position, and deliver a clear reduction in both machine noise and the stability of the washer.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.