The average lifespan of a washing machine, according to the Whitegoods Trade Association, is now under seven years. A decade ago the average life span was over ten. The increase in budget washing machines hasn’t helped this figure, but perhaps there are some things that we might be doing that prematurely age our washing machines as well… With this in mind, these are some of our top tips for looking after your washing machine so that it lasts as long as possible!
Don’t overload it
When you have a big pile of laundry to do it can be tempting to put in as many clothes as possible. If the door shuts then it’s ok right? The problem is that in order to work properly washing machines have to have space left in the drum, and overloading the machine on a regular basis can lead to parts being worn out quicker due to undue stress, and also clothes that aren’t washed properly. Doing the laundry more often or buying a machine with a bigger capacity if you regularly have too much to put in is a much better solution in the long run.
Clean it with a maintenance wash
You should run a maintenance wash once a month. A maintenance wash is essentially a deep-cleaning cycle for your washing machine. These cycles run at high temperatures in order to; sterilise the inside of your washing machine; to clean the drum and door seal; and to remove and prevent mould growth, bacteria, and murky water build up. Most washing machines have a special maintenance cycle program, but if yours doesn’t then put it on the highest spin cycle possible, along with the hottest and longest-running wash setting. So you don’t forget, it might be an idea to schedule the maintenance wash for the same day each month and mark it on the calendar.
Empty pockets of tissues
…And anything else for that matter! Things left inside pockets can end up in awkward places in the washing machine. Stuck in the door seal is a common one, but if they’re small they can get past the inner drum and find their way into the drain pump. If this happens then your washing machine can lose its ability to drain water away. Over 85% of service calls to do with a washing machine not draining as it’s supposed to are found to be the fault of something blocking the drain hose or being stuck in the pump. Always check pockets before putting items into your machine.
Make sure it’s flat
If your washing machine is sitting on a slant, even a small one, it can cause damage to your machine, to your clothes, and also make one hell of a racket! When a machine is uneven it vibrates and rocks around and this, as well as being very noisy, can end up vibrating parts loose which then stops your washing machine from working at all. To prevent this from happening, use a spirit level and check that it is in fact level. If it’s not, then adjust the washing machine feet until it is.
We wish you and your washing machine a long and happy life together!
