With our busy way of life, we occasionally underestimate how important washing machines are for us. They do an amazing job of washing our clothes and keeping them fresh without much hassle.
As simple as loading the washer and unloading; once it’s done it will save you hours of painstakingly hand-washing shirts, pants and other wardrobe garnets. What used to take hours of daily time can now be done within minutes. Thus, it is very important to keep your washing machine well maintained and in good shape.
Types of washing machines
There are two distinct types of washing machines. One is top load and another one is front load. As their names imply the key difference is one is loaded from the top and other from the front.
As always, functionality for home use is prioritized, so larger families may benefit from top-loading machines, while smaller would do well with front-loading one.
In the following text, find out the main differences between the types of washing machines, which have a larger washing capacity, but also which consume more water per washing cycle.
Top load washing machine
Top load washers will have bigger washing capacity but will also use more water per wash cycle. They will either have a tall agitator which will rub against the clothes, this provides very good cleaning action, or an impeller on the bottom which sloshes clothes around back and forth.
Generally impeller is gentler than agitator. One benefit of top load washers is that it’s easier to load and unload and also it has amazing load capacity.
There are also top load washing machines with different specifications, such as steam function, app-controlled tech or vibration reduction. It’s up to you to choose what do you need the most.
Front load washing machine
On the other side front load washers will have drastically smaller wash capacity but will use a fraction of water which top load uses. Some of the front load washers may have optional pedestals to make them higher and easier to access. Front load washers typically have longer wash times and have faster spin speeds due to smaller drums. Drum design with baffle provides an efficient way of mixing and tumbling your clothes.
Another washer you may encounter is a combination unit. A combination unit combines dryer and washer in one. You do not need to remove clothes to dry them manually as it will wash and dry right away. They are very efficient and take very little space compared to stand alone washer and dryer.
Common washing machine problems
No matter how excellent your washing machine is, over time, certain problems can arise due to its frequent use. You shouldn’t ignore it if you notice an unpleasant odour after washing clothes or if the washing machine is noisy during operation.
These are the 10 most common washing machine problems and how you can fix them. Of course, if the problem is significant or you can’t fix it yourself, it’s always advisable to call a repair technician.
- Washing Machine is Leaking
- Washing Machine Is Noisy
- Washing Machine Won’t Spin
- Washing Machine Won’t Fill with Water
- Washer Is Smelly
- Washing Machine Moves Around
- Washer Door Doesn’t Open
- Washer Won’t Drain / Washer Is Clogged
- Washer Is Ruining Clothing
- Washer Is Ruining Clothing
What can you do by yourself
For some of these issues, you can try to resolve them yourself. For example, if you suspect your leaking washing machine is the result of a loose hose connection, all you have to do to fix it is tighten the hose. However, this can be quite complex and hard to find as there are a lot of hoses and tubes that direct water throughout the wash cycle.
Loud noises could simply mean something is bouncing around, e.g. coins from the pocket of a pair of pants. Usually, these items will fall into the sump hose or filter making them easy to remove.
If the drum is not filling with water, check the water hoses, because they may simply be kinked, stopping the flow of water, or there could be a blockage inside that needs to be removed. If the washing machine is humming but not filling with water, this indicates that it is trying to take water in but can’t, so check the taps. These can sometimes get clogged with dirt preventing a flow of water through the hose. To fix the problem, turn the taps off to clean them. If the hot tap is blocked, you’ll have to drain the hot water tank first. Do this by disconnecting the hose and turning the tap on till the tank is drained. Sometimes you think that washer machine smells like mildew? Well, they may begin to smell due to a build-up of bacteria and grime, and this often occurs when only cold washes are performed. You should try running on a cycle with hot water, and If it doesn’t work, try taking it for a spin with safe mixture of ingredients:
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- ¼ cup of water
- 2 cups of white vinegar
Put the baking soda and water in your washing machine’s detergent draw and the white vinegar in the washing machine’s drum and then run a cycle on a high heat setting.
If your washing machine won’t spin, it’s often because it’s overloaded with too much clothing or linens, so try removing some items. If that’s not the issue, you may have a blocked drain pump, and that can happen when something gets stuck in the outlet pipe.
If it’s bouncing around loudly, most commonly this means the washing machine isn’t level on the ground. So, just try adjusting the legs, and use a bubble level to be sure you’ve got it set up correctly.
If the door won’t open even after it’s done filling, try turning your washing machine on to a new cycle, which should drain it and allow you to open the door. Then, check the drain and filter to ensure there is no blockage. If the drain pump is damaged, it must be replaced and that’s where we can help you. More information you can find here.
One of the most common problems is that the washing machine will not drain. Usually small things such as masks, hair pins, coins, hair clips or anything small enough to squeeze between the tub and gasket will end up inside the washer filter. Sometimes washer filters are serviceable by the customer and there will be visible small door which can be opened to access the drain filter.
Sorting clothes before washing them is also very important, and it prevents holes in clothes during the washing and drying process. Practically, that means that you should never wash delicate items with heavy jeans or clothes with zippers and studs When a washing machine won’t turn on or stop during a cycle, it’s usually a problem with the power source. Check your circuit breaker first; it may simply need to be reset. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you should call an electrician.
Tips for avoiding problems with washing machine
As we’ve discussed before, there are several issues that can arise when using a washing machine. Although you can try to solve some things on your own, you should be careful so that they don’t occur in the first place.
There are certain “universal” tips to help maintain your washing machine.
- Keep your pockets clean
- Small items such as masks, baby socks or small underwear should be put in laundry mesh bags
- Clean the drain filter if there is an issue with washer draining. Note that water which is inside the tub or drum will come out and be prepared to drain it slowly in order to prevent any damage to your property
If your washing machine is leaking, it can be quite complex and hard to find as there are a lot of hoses and tubes that direct water throughout the wash cycle. However, there are a couple of tips for avoiding laundry machine leaking:
- Do not overload the machine, stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation
- Top load washer should not be loaded more than two thirds, front load should be slightly above the middle but do no cram stuff
- Anything with metal zippers or sharp garnets should be placed in the center and surrounded by other clothes
- If you have recently opened the drain pump filter, make sure it’s tight enough as it may develop a leak
- Regularly clean around the gasket and door to remove hair and soap build up
- Use the correct soap for which the machine is rated. Incorrect soap may cause oversudsing and leakage
Pay also attention to the amount of detergent you use as well. It can build up in the machine and cause issues with pressure sensors later on.
Another culprit for machine malfunction is fabric softener. Over time, it will accumulate inside the system and can start to soil your clothes as it adheres to the drum and other components. A good way to address this is by running a cleaning cycle regularly. If your washing machine doesn’t have that option, you can run a long cycle at the highest temperature setting.
Using a drum cleaning agent will help you maintain and keep any mold, bacteria and smell from accumulating.
Due to the daily rush, we often forget that we should also change some of our specific habits. To make things last longer, it’s necessary to take care of them, which is the case with washing machines.
To avoid expensive repairs or buying new machines, we should take care of the ones we have at home. We often forget that less is more, which in this case means that having less laundry in the machine and more cycles will help you save money in the long run.