Households have been recommended to do a few quick checks to help extend the lifespan of their washing machine.
A washing machine will likely be one of the hardest-working appliances in a home, running most days of the week.
Most breakdowns of these items do not happen overnight but are the result of small, preventable issues building up over time.
If you want to extend the lifespan of your washing machine by years, there are a few checks you can do consistently to help out.
Quick checks that could add years to your washing machine
Kane Taylor, an expert in appliance maintenance at Ailsa, shared that there were a couple of easy things to help out your washing machine.
Avoiding overloading the drum was one of those.
He explained: “It’s tempting to cram everything in to save time, but overloading your washing machine is one of the quickest ways to shorten its lifespan.
"When the drum is too full, it strains the motor, bearings and suspension system.
“Clothes also don’t wash properly when they can’t move freely, meaning you’ll likely rewash items, doubling the wear on your appliance.
“As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit a hand vertically between the top of the drum and your laundry.
"If you can’t, it’s too full.”
Lara Brittain, Category Director at Currys, concurred with this advice, saying: "It might be tempting to fit everything in at once, but overloading your washing machine can strain the motor and reduce the overall cleaning performance.
"Leaving a little bit of space allows clothes to move freely, helping them wash more effectively, while reducing wear and tear on the machine."
Additionally, it is important to clean the washing machine's filters more often than you think.
Taylor shared: "From washing machines to dishwashers and tumble dryers, filters are there to protect your appliance, but only if they’re clean.
“Blocked filters force the machine to work harder, increasing energy use and putting pressure on internal components.
"Over time, that extra strain can lead to breakdowns.
“Check and clean filters once a month.
"It’s a five-minute job that could save you hundreds in repairs.”
Brittain added: "Filters catch debris from every wash, and if left clogged, they can affect performance and cause smells.
"Giving the filter a quick check and rinse once a month helps keep water flowing properly and prevents blockages from building up over time."
She also suggested running a maintenance or hot cycle every month to remove build-up of dirt, detergent and bacteria.
Do you already do these checks on your washing machine? Let us know in the comments.
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