Our washing machines are seriously neglected. We rely on them daily, loading them to the brim with clothes that are soaked in sweat, then assume all stains will be lifted in a matter of hours (or less if you’re an avid user of the quick wash cycle). If that weren’t bad enough, we run cycles in succession, using the tumble dry setting in the interim if it’s a washer dryer.
And yet, when was the last time you stopped and gave your washing machine some TLC? It will inevitably wear and tear with everyday use, and needs regular maintenance to keep it working at its best. If you don’t do this, yours will eventually show warning signs of damage. These need to be addressed ASAP before expensive repairs become necessary. Here are five red flags to look out for.
1. It starts shaking
This happens when the machine loses balance as it tries to pick up speed for the spin cycle. It starts thrashing itself around, vibrating under its own weight. As well as being incredibly noisy, this can be so intense, it can damage the floor – and the walls, too, if it’s sitting in a bay. Your washing machine is unlikely to spin when it happens, and you’ll be left with a wet wad of laundry by the end of the cycle – that’s another red flag.
If left to thrash around, not only will it do damage to your home, but it will also damage the machine itself, so you need to address the problem immediately.
The most likely cause for this is overloading your washing machine (one of our laundry bad habits), which leaves it unbalanced. When you think about how heavy the drum would be when the load is soaked, it’s not surprising. Your machine is essentially tossing that wet bulk from side to side as it tries to spin. Ensure your machine is no more than 3/4 full to avoid this.
Washing a single, heavy item (such as a pillow) could also be to blame. In that case, we recommend washing two pillows at once or bulking out the drum with sheets. Here’s how to wash pillows the right way, if you’d like more guidance.
It’s less likely, but if the machine is new, the transit bolts may have been left in place on installation. You can inspect this yourself by pulling out the machine. If this is the case, contact the installer to rectify, as any damage should be covered by them.
2. It smells musty and eggy
You might think a smelly washing machine is natural, but it shouldn’t be the norm. Musty smells indicate extensive mould growth within the appliance. It could be growing in the rubber seal, in the detergent drawer, in the pipes or all of the above. If it’s a rotten eggy smell, it’s likely you have stagnant water sitting in the filter, along with unwanted residue.
If smells are left unaddressed in your washing machine, they can transfer on to laundry and lead to internal problems, too. If mould continues to grow, it will eventually cause blockages and damage the internal workings of the machine, as well as releasing dangerous spores into the home. Meanwhile, items that are blocking the filter will impair the washing machine’s performance by overworking the drain pump and eventually cause leaks.
To remove mould, use a washing machine cleaner, such as Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner. Run regular service cycles and try mould-removal products, if needed. Stagnant water can be gradually drained from the filter (usually found at floor level on the front of the machine). Be sure to unplug the machine first, and use a shallow bowl and plenty of towels to protect the floor. Once the filter is out (rotate it counterclockwise), you can remove any rogue items and rinse it before returning.
Here are 9 ways to clean a smelly washing machine if the problem persists.
Washing machine cleaning kit
3. The cycles never end
Sometimes it seems like the cycle just goes on and on, especially when it’s in the final five minutes. This is quite normal, especially where the machine uses a sensor to detect how much detergent remains. It automatically adds another rinse cycle where it feels it’s needed.
However, if that final five minutes lasts for more than 20, you’ve got a bigger problem going on. It’s likely because you’re overdosing the machine. You might not think that’s an issue – what’s wrong with cleaner clothes? But it’s making your machine work harder to remove all the traces, putting unnecessary wear on the internals. It’s also a waste of detergent, time, energy and water, and it’ll leave residual detergent on your clothes, so they’re more liable to cause skin reactions and feel ‘scratchy’.
Always follow the dosage instructions and take into account the water hardness, the load size and how dirty your clothes are.
4. Flooded detergent drawer
A flooded detergent drawer can’t be missed. When the time comes to add your detergent, you pull it open, only to have it leak all down the front of the machine. It’s usually the fabric conditioner compartment that’s flooded.
This could be caused by one of two problems. First, the jet nozzles on the roof of the machine might be blocked by mould, meaning it’s not pumping as much water into the drawer as it should. As a result, the water level doesn’t fill fast enough to trigger the siphoning effect at the end of the cycle. The second issue could be that softener has congealed in the drawer, blocking its drainage.
Either way, this needs to be fixed, because it can impact the machine’s performance as well as encouraging leaks.
The first step is removing the drawer, soaking it in warm, soapy water, then scrubbing residue away with an old toothbrush. Use cotton buds to reach into small crevices. While that’s drying, inspect the roof of your machine. If it’s obviously mouldy, scrub it clean with an old toothbrush and a distilled white vinegar and water solution (half and half).
5. Error codes
Of course, your washing machine might show error codes to tell you what the problem is. Don’t ignore them! Depending on the severity of the problem, it might be a quick fix (such as a bent hose), or it could lead to expensive repairs down the line (like a motor replacement). Refer to your instruction manual to find out what’s wrong and contact the brand for replacement parts if it’s still under warranty.
