What Is the Average Washing Machine Lifespan?
A washing machine should last 14 years.
If you do a load of laundry every day (or an average of seven loads per week), it will take you 14 years to complete 5,100 loads of laundry. At such moment, a washing machine should be changed.
Of course, if you use it less frequently, a washing machine can live more than 14 years, and if you use it more frequently, it may not last as long. Other factors might have an impact on one’s longevity.
If you wash big loads regularly, as opposed to lesser loads, the washer may suffer and may not last as long.
Factors Influencing Washing Machine Lifespan
Frequency of washing:
Suppose one wash load (cycle) every day puts such a strain on your washing machine that it reaches its rating limit or capacity. In that case, you’d think that decreasing the weekly wash load by one cycle to merely six cycles per week would lengthen its longevity.
Reducing the wash load to 6 per week reduces the strain on your washing machine by 600 – 700 cycles throughout its life. Based on the figures above, this might add two years to its lifespan.
Overloading:
Overloading your washing machine is part of proper maintenance. They are constructed and rated to a specific weight limit depending on the size and type. DO NOT WASH MORE LAUNDRY (BY WEIGHT) THAN YOUR WASHER WAS DESIGNED FOR.
Going a little lower than the weight restriction is also a smart practice. This is done to reduce the typical wear and tear on important washing machine components such as the motor, belts, couplings, bearings, and various mechanisms. Take extra precautions if your machine is not brand new or has a few years.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions:
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for washing machine care and maintenance. This covers how to set it up, connect to a water supply, electrical connections and grounding, buttons, electronic displays and error codes, the type of detergent to use, cleaning, and so on.
This guarantees that your washing machine is adequately cared for and does not sustain unnecessary damage or failure.
When Should You Replace Your Washing Machine?
A new washing machine has an average life expectancy of 11 years. Consumer Reports advises replacing any appliance over eight years old unless it is a high-end model with a special attraction to you. Others recommend that any top-loading washer made in 1999 or before be replaced. Even replacing a washing machine purchased before 2005 can help to reduce water consumption [source: Dunn]. If an item is still relatively new but no longer under warranty and has broken down frequently, you might be better off getting rid of it.
indications that it is time to replace your washing machine
Most of us aren’t skilled maintenance specialists, especially regarding laundry-related items. As a result, the chances are that most of us will be unaware when our washing machine has to be serviced or replaced entirely.
Learn how to recognize six warning signs of an oncoming failure so you can start saving for a new washer instead of wasting money on ineffective repairs.
1. Excessive Water Leakage
A leaky washing machine is probably the most evident symptom of a problem with your washing machine. Typically, this issue is caused by overflowing or a faulty connection. If you have an older machine, it most likely consumes the same amount of water for all load sizes. You may reduce leaks by assessing how large a load you can fit in your washer while still having room for turning, spinning, and shaking.
If the preceding procedure does not work, the water hose in the back of your washer may have become loose due to years of wear and use. In addition, your water hose may have come loose due to severe vibration or movement.
While saving for a new washer, consider whether a pipe tightening or replacement hose may solve the problem. If not, you’ll need to hire a professional to establish the real reason for the leak, which is a damaged tub, and you’ll need to get a new washing machine as soon as possible.
2. Excessive Loudness
If your washer sounds like it will take off anytime you use it; it’s probably simply imbalanced. Typically, this simple remedy does not necessitate calling a specialist. However, before you dismiss it as a minor flaw, it is still an indication that something is amiss, and you should take action before it worsens.
Stopping the wash cycle and rearranging your items to make them more equally distributed is one temporary solution to the excessive noise. However, this will only work with top-loading washers. Try relocating your washer so that all four of its feet are on a flat surface for a more permanent solution. If your laundry room has adequate space, you may achieve this by building or purchasing a platform for it to sit on. Check to discover whether your washing machine’s feet have adjustable levels. Many units do, and they are simple to modify to assist you in balancing the device.
If nothing of these solutions works, you may need to tighten your motor mount or drum. Then, call a service expert to check whether it can be repaired and how much it will cost. You’ll be able to tell whether you need to start shopping for a new washer based on the repair expense.
3. It’s Moving
While washing, rinsing, and spinning your clothing, keep your washer in place. When it sways from side to side so violently that it appears to be walking—or is walking—you should plan on obtaining a replacement soon.
You have a few options for attempting to resolve this issue. First, check to see whether all of your washer’s feet are level, just like you would if your washer was making a lot of noise. This may be all required to keep it from moving too quickly.
Also, remember that, while a wandering washer may still function as a stationary washer, it is unquestionably an indication of a problem that might lead to much worse problems. For example, there’s a considerable possibility your “walking” washer may start spilling water outside the unit, ruining your flooring and perhaps causing mildew and mold to grow. Another potential risk of a wandering washer is that it will eventually tear itself free of its connections.
4. The Drum Isn’t Filled With Water
If your washer’s drum isn’t full up, it might be due to a delayed cycle selection, a knot in your hose, or an issue with your hot and cold water taps. If you check all three and none of them are the problem, there might be a problem with your water intake valve or filter that an expert must look at.
Another issue with your drum is that it fills with water but does not revolve properly. Examine the lid switch and belts to check they are in good working order. Belts are very simple to repair, but a faulty lid switch takes more effort. Depending on how old your washer is and how much a replacement costs, you may be better off purchasing a brand-new washer.
5. Your washing machine is more than eight years old.
Even while contemporary washers may last up to 11 years, it’s normally in your best interest to start shopping for a newer model after eight years with your present washer. The closer your washer goes to the end of its useful life, the more expensive repairs might get, not to mention how frequently issues develop.
After a while, it just makes more sense to invest all of that money on a newer, more energy and water-efficient washing machine than the one you have today. Any extra money you spend on a more efficient machine can save you money on energy costs, which is especially important if your household does a lot of washing.
6. You own an older top-loading washer.
Repairs for a top-loading washer can be significantly more expensive than those for a front-loading washer. This is because top loading washer components are more expensive than front loading washer parts. As a result, it’s not uncommon to hear about top-loading washer repairs that cost half the price of a new washer.
On a similar subject, if you’re looking for a new washer, you might want to consider a front-loading machine. Front-loading machines are popular because they use less water than top-loading machines. Rather than concentrating on the cost of new equipment, consider its total efficiency and how much money it may save you in the long term.
You may consider purchasing a washer-dryer combo machine if space is an issue. These convenient all-in-one machines wash and dry your clothing before the cycle is finished. These units have grown in popularity recently, particularly for flats, compact houses, and any family lacking the appropriate laundry hookups.
How to Extend the Life of Your Washing Machine
1. Maintain a flat surface.
The drums of contemporary washers may spin at speeds of up to 1,600 rpm. Therefore, the washer must sit dead, with its feet firmly on the floor, to prevent excessive vibration and damage to the machine. Extend one foot at a time if your washer is shaky. Once the washer seems stable, use a level to check it from front to back and side to side, then tighten the lock nuts on the feet.”
2. Don’t use too much detergent.
An excess of suds causes the washer to work harder and may result in additional rinse cycles, lengthening wash time, and squandering energy and life span. Use the appropriate detergent in the amount advised by your washer’s owner’s handbook. Newer washers use far less water than those manufactured 15 years ago, and high-efficiency (HE) detergents, which generate fewer suds, are designed to operate with water-saving front-loaders, HE top-loaders, and even select agitator top-loaders.
3. Wipe down the dispenser drawer.
It should be removed and cleaned regularly. When detergent accumulates in the dispenser, it can produce a flood of suds, causing the washer to work harder.
4. Make an effort to avoid mold.
It flourishes in the presence of food and water, which washers give in abundance, with detergent and fabric softener residue provided as food sources. To keep mold at bay, use the tub-clean option regularly—the suggested frequency varies per machine, ranging from once a month to every 50 cycles. If your washer doesn’t have it, run an empty load with a cup of bleach on the hottest setting. When the front loader is finished, wipe away any wetness within the door and on the rubber gasket, then carefully peel back the gasket to clear away any residue and dry the surface. Keep a front-door loader ajar (as long as small children aren’t around), or a top-lid loader opens between loads and the dispensers to allow them to dry.
5. Examine the water-fill hoses.
When it becomes fractured or brittle, replace it. For instance, if a hose bursts, the flood can harm your appliances and floor.
6. Avoid overloading or underloading.
Every washing machine has a suggested load that is there for a purpose.
Overloading a washing machine can cause additional wear and strain on the motor, belts, and other components.
This can result in component damage or leakage. Furthermore, overloading might hinder washing from cleaning well since clothing would bunch up and be unable to move freely.
Underloading the machine may not appear to be an issue, but it frequently results in an imbalanced load.
This not only causes the machine to be rather noisy when operating, but it can also put additional strain on components and waste energy and water.
If you need to run a lower load than the maximum capacity of your washing machine, examine the programs available to you since many machines offer cycles intended to handle half loads of laundry properly.
7. Examine your pockets
Before beginning a load, examine the pockets and any folds of clothes for any coins, screws, pencils, or other miscellaneous things that may have been left behind.
Running a washing machine cycle with uninvited things in it might cause damage to the drum or worse.
What is the cost of replacing a washing machine?
The price of a washing machine is mostly determined by its type and size. A bigger washing machine might cut your cleaning time in half if you have a larger household (at least on the laundry front).
When it comes to purchasing a new washing machine, you have two options:
- Top-loading machines often have a lower capacity than front-loading machines but are less costly. According to Angie’s List, they normally start at $350.
- Front-loading machines have a bigger capacity, but their wash cycles are frequently longer, and they’re more prone to mold (a problem that may be minimized slightly if you’re prepared to clean out your washer once a month or so). According to Angie’s List, front-loading washers typically cost between $700 and $1,000.
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