Your washing machine is among the most hard-working devices in your household, processing endless amounts of laundry throughout the year. A standard washing machine has a useful life of 10 to 14 years, but proper care and routine maintenance can keep yours operating past that estimate. The good news is that keeping your washer in peak condition requires nothing more than a few easy, reliable habits that suit any schedule.
Read on for a thorough guide to keeping your washing machine running at its best.
Never Overload the Machine
One of the most harmful things you can do to a washing machine is overload the drum. Once laundry gets saturated with water, its mass increases significantly, putting serious strain on the bearing assembly, motor, and support components. Continued overloading speeds up deterioration of components that can be very expensive to fix.
A good guideline is to fill the drum to around three-quarters capacity, giving clothes sufficient space to circulate during the cycle. For bulky single items like thick blankets or pillows, balance the drum by adding two or three bath towels to the load. A drum that is not well-balanced produces aggressive vibrations that can steadily move the machine off-balance and loosen internal connections.
Always Check That the Machine Is Properly Leveled
Modern washing machines can rotate at speeds of up to 1,600 RPM. At that RPM, even the most minor lean can cause severe vibration that slowly wears down internal elements and loosens fixtures. Use a level to check the machine from front to back and side check here to side. If it be not flat, loosen the lock nuts on the leveling feet, reposition each one until the machine is even, and tighten the locking nuts securely back in place. Taking a few minutes to level your washer right can add meaningful years to its life and put an end to the excessive banging that occurs during off-balance spin cycles.
Do Not Use Too Much Soap
Adding excess detergent will not enhance washing results and actively works against your machine's durability. Using too much detergent produces too many suds that cause the washer to work harder to eliminate them, sometimes initiating extra rinse cycles without input. Detergent buildup in the drum interior and plumbing components attracts bacteria over time, causing the unpleasant scents that many appliances tend to acquire.
If you have a HE (HE) machine, always use HE-formulated detergent. Standard detergent creates excessive foam in HE washers, which operate with minimal water, and can lead to operational problems over time. In most cases, a tablespoon or two of liquid detergent is sufficient for a typical load. If you are unsure, refer to your washer's handbook for quantity instructions based on load size and water hardness.
Clean the Drum Monthly
Even if your machine appears spotless from the surface, buildup from soap, conditioner, oils, and lime scale gradually builds up inside the washer drum over time. A routine monthly drum-cleaning cycle is one of the best upkeep habits any washing machine household can take.
Most modern washers have a built-in drum-clean cycle built into the controls. If your machine does not have this feature, run an empty cycle on the highest temperature mode using a descaling tablet, two cups of white vinegar, or half a cup of baking soda. The hot water and cleaning solution remove buildup, destroy bacteria that cause bad odors, and preserve the condition of the gaskets and pipes. Front-loading machines in particular respond best to this consistent practice because their door gaskets are likely to develop trapping moisture and accumulating mold and mildew.
Regularly Flush the Filter and Dispenser Drawer
A lint filter is a standard part on most washing machines, typically found behind a small access panel at the lower front of the machine. This filter traps fluff, small coins, hair bands, and other small pieces that make their way into the wash. When this filter gets clogged, the machine struggles to drain as intended, which adds pressure on the drain pump and can cause water sitting stagnant inside the drum post-cycle.
Make it a habit to clear out the lint filter monthly or so. Simply unscrew it, clean it with tap water, clear any trapped debris, and put it back in position. At the same time, slide out the dispenser drawer completely and clean it thoroughly under fresh water. Soap and softener residue accumulates rapidly in this compartment and can obstruct the spray jets that move detergent to the drum, silently reducing the quality of every load.
Check Your Water Hoses Every Six Months
Most homeowners tend to ignore the water hoses behind their washing machine a moment's attention, yet a hose failure is among the most common causes of major household water damage. Standard rubber hoses degrade over time and can develop small cracks or weak areas that eventually rupture under normal water pressure.
Every half year, examine your water lines thoroughly for any bulging, surface cracks, deterioration at the connection points, or unusual coloring that indicate the rubber is deteriorating. Most manufacturers suggest swapping out standard rubber hoses within three to five years regardless of any visible damage. Installing stainless steel hoses is a good value for the small expense, as these are far more durable and significantly less likely to fail. Also check that the supply hose attachments at both ends, at the washer and at the wall valve, are tight and not drips or seeping.
Empty Pockets Before Every Wash
A brief pocket inspection before starting a wash can prevent more machine faults than most homeowners are aware of. Rigid items like coins, house keys, screws, and hair clips can force their way through drum gaps and either wear out the bearings directly or block the pump, creating a rattle that gets worse over time. Facial tissues breaks apart during the wash and leaves fibrous residue in the drain filter, blocking water flow. Lip balm, pens, and like objects can break open mid-cycle, staining laundry and depositing difficult residue on the interior drum surface that is very hard to clean.
Be diligent to search every trouser pocket before loading laundry. Invert denim and heavy trousers the other way to reach all pocket sections without difficulty, and give kids' clothing an extra diligent check since little toys and crayons commonly hidden in pockets.
Keep the Door Ajar After Every Cycle
Every time you complete a wash, remaining dampness remains inside the washer interior, along the rubber seal, and in the dispenser drawer. Sealing the door immediately after a cycle traps that moisture inside, forming the ideal moist, warm environment for mold to flourish. Front-loading machines experience this problem more acutely due to their snug rubber seals, which trap moisture in their folds with every cycle.
After unloading your clothes, leave the door or lid open for at least 60 minutes to enable airflow and the drum to dry. For front-loaders, always apply a dry cloth to the rubber door seal after each wash, targeting the inner creases where moisture collects and mildew is most prone to develop. Simply leaving the door open can stop the unpleasant scent that affects so many washers after a year or two of regular use.
Use an Anti-Vibration Mat Under the Machine
Hard flooring beneath a washing machine give no shock absorption for spinning vibrations, allowing them to steadily push the machine out of position and cause wear on both the appliance and the flooring. Try putting an rubber isolation mat under the machine. Made from foam or rubber, these mats dampen the mechanical energy created during spinning and prevent the machine from creeping across the floor. These mats are affordable, are easy to place, and deliver a meaningful reduction in both vibration sounds and washer movement.
Contact a local appliance repair service today for fast, affordable washing machine repair.