The Best Ways to Extend the Life of Your Old Washer and Dryer
When my wife and I bought a house two decades ago, one of the most exciting parts of the process was that we finally started doing laundry in the house after spending a lifetime (almost literally) sitting in laundromats. The laundry room in the house was not special and small, but it represented freedom and we were delighted.
Of course, after moving, the washing machine immediately broke down, so we had to clear out the balance of our bank account and buy a new one . And this machine has been running for 20 years and may still be running when the Sun turns into a red giant and destroys the planet. Considering that most washers and dryers last an average of 10-14 years, this is very good.
However, it was not pure luck: I single-handedly kept our laundry center running, with a combination of regular maintenance and minor repairs . I’ve learned that you can keep your washer and dryer running for much longer if you do some pretty simple things.
Make sure cars are level
The washer and dryer are quite active appliances: they create a lot of movement and impulse by spinning heavy, wet clothes. It is very important that they are properly balanced and aligned, otherwise the drums will be misaligned, causing increased wear and tear on the entire machine.
When the machines are installed, their legs should be adjusted so that they sit level and do not rock from side to side. But you should also check your cars regularly with a level: if the gauges aren’t level, it’s time to adjust them until they are. It only takes a few minutes and can significantly extend the life of the machines.
Read the maintenance instructions
Your washer and dryer come with an owner’s manual, and your clothes usually come with basic cleaning instructions . You should read both to know things like
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Amount of detergent. Using too much detergent can damage your washing machine over time as the residue builds up inside the machine, leading to mold and other damage. The user manual will tell you how much detergent to use.
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Type of detergent. Check if your washing machine is a high-efficiency model. In this case, you should use a highly effective detergent. Otherwise, your washing machine will have a hard time removing all that suds, and the extra wear and tear will shorten its lifespan.
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The location of all filters , drains and dispensers – everything that you will need to clean and check in the future.
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Error codes and other maintenance and troubleshooting information that can go a long way in keeping your device running longer since you will have some insight into how to resolve underlying issues.
Clean out the insides
It’s alarming how many people I’ve talked to who believe that the washer and dryer are self-cleaning because they are appliances used to clean things. While it may seem reasonable that a machine such as a washing machine that is regularly submerged in soapy water should not need to be cleaned, this is not the case. Regular cleaning of your washer and dryer will significantly increase their efficiency and lifespan:
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To clean your washing machine, you can simply add some vinegar and baking soda to an empty load. You can also purchase cleaning supplies if the DIY approach doesn’t work. You should also clean the filter and agitator and give the entire machine a good cleaning, inside and out.
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In your dryer, you should clean the lint screen, outside vent, and duct (you can buy a drill duct cleaner for this) and wipe down the inside drum.
Clean the drain hoses
The hoses coming out of your washing machine can become clogged with what scientists call debris over the years. Believe me, when I first looked inside the washing machine drain hose, my life changed, and not for the better. You can usually remove the drain hose without opening the car – it’s probably just jammed in place. Remove it and use a garden hose to clear any clogs with a little water pressure, and your washing machine will drain more easily, resulting in drier clothes and less wear and tear on the machine.
Check your pockets
Everyone washes something they forgot in their pockets from time to time, and it may seem harmless (unless it’s your phone or something else with a water allergy). But metal objects like coins, keys, or screws left over from your latest DIY project can scratch drums, break things, and clog filters and drains. As a result, one of the easiest ways to keep your old washer and dryer running is to always check your pockets before throwing items in the wash.
And while we’re discussing metal items, you also probably shouldn’t wash clothes with metal elements , such as underwires or even zippers. If you need to wash something with a zipper, you can minimize the danger by making sure the zipper is fully zipped.
Don’t go overboard or overdo it.
Washing machines and dryers are designed to hold a certain amount of laundry, so overloading or underloading can cause the machine to break down:
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Washing machines should be run at full load, but not overloaded. You can weigh your laundry and compare it to your washing machine’s capacity , which will be very accurate, but you’re probably fine, just looking at things. Generally speaking, if you fill your washing machine three-quarters full, you won’t overload it. Anything less than half full results in underloading, and both scenarios can cause damage and wear to the machine.
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On the other hand, lighter dryers are usually better. It’s a good practice to keep your dryer load at about half its capacity: this will ensure your clothes dry more evenly and quickly and won’t put too much strain on the dryer (overloading a modern dryer can also ruin the sensors it uses to determine when clothes are dry).