How to Stop Shortening the Life of Your Washing Machine

A woman in a towel crouching next to a washing machine demonstrates how to stop shortening the life of your washing machine.

We rely on many appliances in our homes these days, including fridges, TVs, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, coffee makers, vacuums, hairdryers, and computers. However, one that we often take for granted is our washing machine.

We assume these devices will last for at least a decade, but this isn’t always the case. It’s common for us, as users, to shorten the life of our washers without even realizing it. Here are some things you need to stop doing now if you want to be able to use your machine for many years to come.

Incorrect Installation

Firstly, it’s vital to install the washing machine correctly. These devices must sit level in their place. Keep in mind that modern washers can spin up to an impressive 1,600 rpm. As a result, if their feet aren’t firmly on the floor and the machine gets unsteady, it can vibrate excessively and damage itself. This result will shorten the life of the device over time.

Your floor might be one that makes it easy to ensure your washing machine sits level, but you could also have peculiarities within the surface that make this task more complicated. It pays, then, to use a level to check your washer front to back and side to side for accuracy. Adjust as required.

Lack of Care

Another issue is not caring for your machine adequately. Always read and follow the maintenance instructions the manufacturer enclose with their products. This information typically covers things like cleaning wash drums, wiping out the detergent and fabric softener dispenses to prevent build-up, and wiping rubber seals.

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Something else you can do is avoid leaving wet clothes in the washer for a long time. Remove your items once the cycle finishes, so mold is less likely to grow. Also, leave the door open on the machine to let it air-dry.

If your washer starts playing up, such as not turning on, emitting strange smells or unusual noises, or not washing correctly, don’t leave it too long to get a licensed practitioner in to inspect it. People adept at handling washing machine repairs for various brands know exactly which steps to take to fix issues and stop small problems from turning into bigger ones. In turn, this helps prolong the life of your appliance.

Running Machines Inappropriately

Next, be careful about how you use your machine. Don’t run it more than you need to. The more use a washer gets, the sooner it will wear out. Stick with running only full loads, so you don’t waste electricity and water, or your washer’s lifespan.

Another tip is to avoid stuffing your machine too full. Appliances can’t work at their best when they have too much in them, and they end up having to work harder than necessary. This excess usage increases wear and tear, particularly on mechanisms such as the washing machine’s central agitator.

Washing Items You Shouldn’t

If you want to extend the life of your laundry device, don’t wash things in it that might cause it harm. Most of us think the washing instructions on items are there purely for the sake of these goods. However, the fact is handwashing some possessions helps your appliance, too. For example, the hooks and underwires on lingerie can damage the washing machine’s drum or scratch its door. Always read the details on pieces before assuming it’s fine to pop them in the washer.

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Also, check the pockets of clothes before placing them into your appliance. You don’t want things like coins, paper, gum, tissues, pens, beauty products, and other bits and pieces falling out of pockets during a wash cycle. Not only can this dirty your load, but also clog the washer drain and cause the machine to run less smoothly and efficiently.

Too Much Detergent

A spoon filled with powdered sugar on a blue plate. Lastly, it’s not “the more, the merrier” when it comes to adding detergent to your washer. Using more product than recommended by the manufacturer leads to extra suds, which can cause the machine to overflow. Even worse, though, for the appliance is that a surplus of suds makes the gadget work harder. Overdoing it with detergent can trigger an extension of wash time and additional rinse cycles.

Plus, the more modern a washing machine is, the less detergent it likely requires. If you use high-efficiency, concentrated detergents, you need even less soap again to wash your items.

Washing machines do tend to have a decent lifespan. However, you’ll save yourself the time, money, and energy involved in having to replace your appliance sooner if you treat it well and follow all the steps listed above.

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