Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Washing machines are wonderful appliances that can save time and effort on a daily basis. But they're also known to malfunction more than other home appliances, underscoring the importance of proper maintenance to achieve maximum performance.
It's all about consistency. By taking small steps to care for your washing machine, you'll reduce the chances of damage occurring and avoid some major issues arising down the road.
5 tips to get started
Make sure it's level
An unsteady washer can vibrate so much that it damages itself (and makes your life miserable with all the clattering noise). Review your user manual to see the best way to adjust the feet, then ensure everything remains aligned by checking it with a level and tightening the lock nuts.
Check the water-fill hoses
As with refrigerators and dishwashers, a faulty washer hose can cause damage to both the appliance and your home. Manufacturers suggest periodical inspection of the hoses on your washer to make sure they aren't cracked or brittle, and that the connections are solid.
Empty every pocket
Paper and tissues can cause a bit of a mess when left in pockets and then run through a wash cycle, but metal objects pose a bigger threat. For example, keys or coins can damage your drum or obstruct the washer's drain. To be on the safe side, I've found it helpful to turn pockets inside out before adding clothing to the washer.
Limit the detergent
It's understandable that some people think that adding extra detergent will result in extra clean clothes. In reality, exceeding the recommended amount of detergent just creates more suds. And more suds can extend the washing time or even trigger an extra rinse cycles, putting unnecessary strain on your appliance.
Limit the load size
While it might seem more efficient to cram more clothing into your washer and reduce the number of cycles needed, this approach reduces efficiency and might actually damage your appliance. Manufacturers suggest added weight can cause issues for the motor or throw the drum out of alignment.
A couple of brands to try
Manufacturers are always coming up with innovations to improve washer performance. Here are a couple of recommended options to consider:
LG 4.5 cu. ft. Capacity Smart Front Load Energy Star Washer with TurboWash 360° and AI DD Built-In Intelligence
This washer has an extra-large capacity that allows you to wash more clothes at one time, reducing the time and energy you need to put into your laundry tasks. With five spray jets going at once, it cleans clothes faster than any other washer I've tried (less than 30 minutes).
Best yet, this washer uses built-in sensors to detect the fabric texture and size of each load, then automatically chooses the optimal settings and temperature. Artificial intelligence might be concerning in some parts of our lives, but it's downright amazing when it simplifies your laundry day and helps your clothing last longer. This same technology can also pair with LG dryers to ensure the best results from start to finish.
From a logistical standpoint, I love that this washer is stackable. Putting a compatible dryer on top creates a single tower that saves lots of space and makes it easier to transfer clothing from the washer to the dryer.
Whirlpool 3.5 cu. ft. High Efficiency Agitator Top-Load Washer
This lean-and-mean washer strikes a great balance between price and features. It is high-efficiency and uses a dual-action spiral agitator to clean each load. There's a quick wash setting, which is always nice, as well as multiple options for delicates, bulky items and more.
Other great features include an integrated sensor that fine-tunes your water usage and an add-a-garment option that allows you to toss in an item mid-cycle that you might have forgotten.
The only limitation with this washer is that it only has a 3.5-cubic-foot capacity, but that's plenty big for many households.
