5 Things to Avoid to Increase your Washing Machines Longevity

Washing machines are more likely to malfunction if they are treated carelessly and forced to go beyond their inherent limitations. Front loading washers need attention from time to time, depending on the model. To avoid the need for washer repair in the future take our suggestions about washing machine maintenance.

As always, if you do have an issue with washing machine from sensors, knobs, gaskets and drums we can help you get back to the regular cycle, so don’t be afraid to reach out to All Appliance Parts if you need any appliance part.

Washing machines have limits. If you stuff the tub full, the machine works harder, which means more wear and tear on the bearings and other components. If the load is too large it will also prevent the clothes from moving through the tub and getting clean. When in doubt take the smarter path. It’s easier on the equipment to run two times with normal-sized loads than to run once over capacity.

That sleeping bag or quilt may not seem exceptionally hefty when you first put it into the machine, but consider how much extra weight is added once it gets wet. If that extremely heavy laundry winds up on one side of the machine, the tub can go off balance in a dramatic fashion.

Some machines shut off automatically when the drum becomes unbalanced. If yours doesn’t, and you don’t shut it off immediately, the weight of the wet fabric might even break one of the bars holding the tub in place. You might have experienced this by hearing a banging noise or noticing more shake from the machine. If you need to wash an exceptionally large comforter or sleeping bag consider visiting a laundromat with large load machines. This slight inconvenience might save you from a costly repair in the future.

Very small loads can cause a top loader to go off balance. If your machine came with a small washtub to place inside for small or gentle loads, don’t avoid using it. If it doesn’t have this device, wait until you have more laundry to wash or do some by hand.

Tissues or receipts are a common culprit being left in a pocket. In the washing machine, paper can disintegrate, leaving behind a mess of tiny pieces of paper you have to clean up. The main problem is that some of those paper pieces go down the washer drain. That can clog the drain and filter, especially if it happens frequently.

Here at All Appliance Parts we have also experience things like screws and bolts bouncing around in our tub. These metal parts can damage clothes as well as plastic grates meant to prevent debris from clogging your drain. So, clear those pockets before you load the washing machine.

At All Appliance Parts our employees work in our yards almost every weekend, we even participate in muddy races of all sorts, especially those that support Veteran charities. Often we are caked in mud, mulch and even wood pulp from trimming bamboo. If your clothes are seriously caked, it’s best to rinse that mess off before putting the laundry in the washer. Clumps of dirt and grit can plug the drain and filter causing all sorts of problems.

We suggest hosing the clothes off in the yard, or rinsing them in a bucket and dumping that water outside before putting the clothes in the washing machine. Again, this is not convenient but it will keep your washing machine running longer and save you money in the long run.

Bonus Suggestion: Inspect your hoses once a year

Behind your washer you have 2 water lines and a drain hose. Over time these can deteriorate, become dislodged. It’s not a bad idea to check those parts out from time to time. If the hoses have seen better days, stop by All Appliance Parts and we would be happy to help you replace them with more reliable options.