Few machines in your residence work as tirelessly as your washing machine, handling countless loads of laundry week after week. While most washing machines are built to last 10 to 14 years, good upkeep practices can add years to its life and help you steer clear of unplanned repair bills. The good news is that maintaining your washer in great working order requires nothing more than a few easy, regular habits that suit any schedule.
Read on for a thorough guide to keeping your appliance running at its peak.
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. Water-soaked laundry is far heavier than dry laundry, and an packed drum places excessive stress on the drum motor, bearings, and support assembly. Over time, this results washing machine repair in premature degradation on a number of the most expensive parts to repair.
As a general rule, fill the drum about three-quarters full and leave capacity for the laundry to move freely. When washing oversized individual items such as thick blankets or cushions, toss in a few towels to help distribute the weight evenly. An off-balance drum does not just break down faster, it also creates aggressive vibrations that can push the washer out of position and loosen internal components over time.
Keep the Machine Level
Current washing machines are capable of rotating at up to 1,600 revolutions per minute. At that speed, even the smallest lean can generate excessive vibration that gradually damages internal parts and loosens connections. Place a level tool on top of your machine and check it front-to-back and side-to-side. Should it be uneven, undo the locking nuts on the leveling feet, correct each one until the machine is even, and secure the locking nuts snugly back in place. This easy adjustment can meaningfully extend the life of your machine and put an end to the disruptive sounds that many homeowners mistakenly accept as normal.
Do Not Use Too Much Soap
Using more detergent will not give you better-washed clothes, and it puts avoidable strain on your washer. Using too much detergent creates excessive suds that cause the washer to work harder to eliminate them, sometimes initiating more wash cycles without input. Over time, soap buildup accumulates inside the drum, hoses, and pump, forming a hotbed for harmful bacteria and producing stubborn unpleasant odors.
Users of HE washers should exclusively use detergent that is designed for HE machines. Standard detergent generates way too many suds in HE washers, which are built to operate with very little water, and can lead to mechanical issues over time. A tablespoon or two of liquid detergent is sufficient for the bulk of everyday laundry loads. If you are unsure, refer to your washer's manual for quantity guidance based on how full the drum is and water quality.
Keep the Drum Clean With Regular Maintenance
Even though it is appearing immaculate on the surface, your washing machine's drum quietly builds up residue from detergent, fabric softener, body oils, and lime scale. A consistent once-a-month drum-cleaning cycle is one of the most effective maintenance steps any washing machine user can adopt.
Many of today's washers come equipped with a built-in cleaning cycle designed directly to clear the drum and internal components. If yours does not, just run an empty cycle on the highest temperature using a descaling tablet, white vinegar, or sodium bicarbonate. This process eliminates built-up deposits, eliminates odor-causing organisms behind bad smells, and preserves the life of door seals and internal pipes. Users of front-loaders should be most consistent with monthly cleaning since the rubber door seals on these machines are particularly vulnerable to mildew.
Do Not Forget the Filter and Soap Drawer
Most washing machines have a compact debris and lint filter, typically found at the front bottom panel, behind a little access door. The filter intercepts lint, coins, hair bands, and other foreign items before they can enter the drainage system. When this filter turns clogged, the machine is unable to drain as intended, which places additional load on the pump and can cause water sitting stagnant inside the drum post-cycle.
Make it a point to inspect and rinse this filter at least once a month. The process is simple: unscrew the filter, wash away any buildup under the faucet, extract any material by hand, and reinstall it securely. At the same time, take out the soap dispenser completely and clean it well under fresh water. Buildup in the dispenser drawer can obstruct the spray holes that direct detergent into the drum, invisibly reducing the quality of every wash cycle.
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 leading causes of serious water damage in the household. Standard rubber hoses deteriorate over time and can form hairline cracks or weak spots that eventually fail under regular pressure.
Examine your hoses biannually for evidence of ballooning, surface cracks, fraying near the fittings, or unusual coloring. Most appliance brands suggest replacing conventional hoses every three to five years even without how they look. Upgrading to stainless steel hoses is worth the modest investment, as these are significantly stronger and far less prone to rupture. While checking the hoses, also verify that both end connections are tight and not exhibiting any dripping.
Always Check Pockets Before Loading Laundry
It sounds simple, but forgotten items in pockets are responsible for a surprising number of washing machine breakdowns. Metal objects like small coins, house keys, metal screws, and metal clips can work their way through holes in the drum and either harm the drum bearings directly or block the drainage system, creating a rattling noise that gets worse over time. Paper napkins disintegrate and leave fibrous debris in the lint filter, hampering drainage. Lip balm, ballpoint pens, and like objects can leak during a cycle, ruining clothes and creating stubborn residue on drum surfaces that is very tricky to wash off.
Always check every clothing pocket before loading laundry. Flipping jeans the other way allows pocket searching easier, and kids' garments need extra checking since small toys, erasers, and pens are common hitchhikers.
Keep the Door Ajar After Every Cycle
Running a wash cycle does not mean the interior of your machine is dry, as dampness accumulates in the drum interior, rubber seal, and soap drawer after every cycle. If you shut the door as soon as a load completes, that sealed-in dampness produces the prime humid, warm conditions for mold and mildew to develop. Front-load washers experience this issue more prominently due to their tight rubber door gaskets, which retain water in their ridges with every cycle.
Once you have unloaded your laundry, leave the lid or door open for a minimum of one hour so circulation can happen and dry the inside. On front-loading washers, use a clean cloth to dry the rubber door gasket completely, especially inside the creases where standing water tends to collect. This one practice alone can eliminate the stale smell that commonly appears in machines after a year or two of daily operation.
Use an Anti-Vibration Mat Under the Machine
Tile or hardwood floors beneath a washing machine provide no cushioning for high-speed vibrations, letting them to steadily push the machine out of alignment and produce deterioration on both the appliance and the flooring. An vibration-dampening pad installed underneath the machine is a straightforward and inexpensive option. Made from thick rubber, these pads absorb the mechanical energy generated during high-speed operation and prevent the washer from walking across the floor. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and make a noticeable difference in both operational noise and appliance stability.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.