7 tips to make your washing machine last longer
Where would we be without washing machines? These see daily use in some households, cleaning all kinds of clothes and items in a single cycle to remove stubborn stains and odours. We rely on them so much, it’s no wonder it feels like the end of the world when the washing machine decides to breakdown.
Errors and general wear could be down to your own laundry habits. In fact, there’s lots of ways you could be impairing your washing machine without knowing it. That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of seven expert tips to help make your washing machine last longer. So you can get the best performance and lifespan from your appliance, while doing your bit for the planet.
Get the most from your washing machine
THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU ALWAYS USE THE QUICK WASH
BAD HABITS TO BREAK WITH YOUR WASHING MACHINE
WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM YEARS OF TESTING WASHING MACHINES
1. Spread the load
Most of us know we shouldn’t overload our washing machines, but underloading can cause just as many problems. ‘When laundry gets wet, it obviously gets heavier. To balance out the load, add a towel or two if you're washing a pillow or a small, single duvet,' explains Ross Ganev of appliance repairs company Domex UK. Just be sure you don’t exceed the maximum capacity of your machine.
It's important to do this because if your washing machine loses balance, it can start to shake aggressively as it builds up to spin. This can damage your floors as well as the machine itself.
2. Empty pockets
Let's face it, we've all chucked a load of washing into the washing machine when we're pushed for time, but small forgotten-about items lurking in a pocket such as coins, keyrings or hairbands could damage the machine permanently and even lead to water leaks, as well as causing blockages. Whenever you can, check pockets as you load the machine, as the time spent doing this now could protect against the need for costly repairs further down the line.
3. Wash bras carefully
Bra wires that come loose in the wash are bad news for your washing machine. Wash bras in a laundry bag, this way, if a wire does come loose, the bag will catch it so it can't do any harm. As bras are delicate items, wash them on a gentle wash cycle to avoid damage that can cause the wires to come out in the first place.
4. Descale regularly
Descaling your machine regularly will help to stop limescale building up. Run a normal wash cycle without any laundry in the drum using a large cup of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice in place of laundry detergent. Alternatively, use a descaling product such as Dr. Beckmann Service-it Power Descaler. How often you need to do this will depend how hard the water in your area is and how many loads of washing you do.
Use a water softener such as Calgon or a cheaper, supermarket own-brand equivalent in each wash to help prevent limescale building up in the first place.
5. Clean routinely
Cleaning your washing machine is just as important as descaling. With each use, residual detergent and softener is left behind in our machine; we’ve all seen the suds at the end of the cycle. If left untreated these can build up until it impacts the efficiency. What’s just as bad; this encourages bacterial growth which leads to musty smells. So you’ll want to get into the habit of cleaning your washing machine to help prevent this residue.
Start by running an empty service wash once a month. You can use a hot wash at 60 degrees or higher if there isn’t one available. We also recommend using a proprietary washing machine cleaner every three to six months to keep on top of detergent build-up too, such as Dr. Beckmann’s Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner. A good way to prevent this is to double check you’re using the correct dosage in future washes.
6. Don’t over-wash
Many of us are guilty of over-washing our clothes. In fact, recent research from Chalmers University of Technology found that we’re more likely to be driven by disgust than sustainability when deciding what to throw into the laundry basket. That means, we’re washing a lot more clothes than we need to, which in turn puts more pressure on our washing machine. It’s also taking a toll on the environment too, with excess detergent being used and hundreds of thousands of microplastics being released per load.
Consider whether items really need washing the next time you throw them into the laundry basket. We’ve created a breakdown on how often you should wash your clothes for guidance. In reducing the number of washes in the long term, you’re reducing the wear on your machine.
7. Think ahead
Ross Ganev advises: ‘If you pay to get a new washing machine professionally installed, ask the engineer for the transit bolts that stop the drum from moving around in transit. Keep them in a safe place and, if you move house, have them refitted to prevent damage during the removals process. Remove them again when the washing machine is reinstalled.’
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