Washing machines should be replaced every six years, consumer experts say.
The Choice team revealed six giveaway clues that it’s time to buy a new machine, even if it moves around through a cycle, leaks, or even stains your clothes.
Other signs that it might be time to upgrade include if your machine is noisy, no longer suitable for your situation, and most importantly, if it’s over six years old.
Consumer experts have shared the six signs you need a new washing machine and the average lifespan of an appliance (file image)
1. He is over six years old.
According Choiceonce your washing machine hits the six-year mark, a “major failure usually means you’ll have to buy a new one because any repairs will be expensive.”
‘If you have a front loader, once it’s 12 years old it’s probably going to be cheaper to replace it than to repair it, even for a minor fault. For a top-loader truck, that number drops to seven years,” Choice experts said.
The Choice team recommends that you clean and maintain your washing machine as regularly and as quality as possible.
You can do this by cleaning the inside of the door seal to remove mildew and dirt, cleaning the lint screen (if equipped), and leaving the door ajar (if your clothing allows it) to extend the life of the door seals. door.
Every month you should also run a clean cycle or run the empty machine on its hottest cycle with a bit of detergent, as this will help remove dirt.
You can clean mold deposits on door seals and other surfaces with hot soapy water and a soft cloth.
2. It’s moving
The second sign that it might be time to buy a new washing machine is if it’s being moved around regularly during a cycle.
“There are two main reasons why your machine is never where you left it before a cycle: it’s out of balance or the shocks have failed,” Choice said.
If it’s vibrating, they recommend checking the feet on the machine to make sure they’re all “fitted correctly and making firm contact with the ground.”
You can also place a rubber mat under the machine to protect hardwood floors, or move it to the corner of the room, where it can be more stable.
A simple sign that your washing machine is about to shut down is if it is making more noise than ever, moving around the room or vibrating too much (stock image)
3. It’s getting louder
A simple sign that your washing machine is about to shut down is if it is making more noise than ever.
The Choice team said that if you notice it getting louder, it might be time to “check it, repair it, or replace it.”
4. It’s leaking
A leaky washing machine is one of the most obvious signs that it’s time for a new model.
But Choice said there are many different types of leaks, and some are more benign than others.
For example, a faucet connector that is not tight enough is not that serious, while others, such as a “coin or key that gets between the two washing machine drums and pokes a hole in the outer drum,” require more attention. .
5. It is staining your clothes
One of the most annoying signs that your washer is getting tired is if you start to see rust stains on your clothes.
“There are many things that can cause rust stains in your washing machine, including damage to the drum, but even leaving damp clothes in the machine can cause rust (not to mention an unpleasant odor),” Choice said.
You can get rid of surface rust with one or two wash cycles, but Choice consumer expert Ashley Iredale said if you’re still seeing stains, then your machine is “pretty much done.”
6. It is no longer suitable for your situation
Finally, sometimes in life, we just need to change the washing machine.
This could be the case if you’ve gone from being a single person doing one or two washes a week to being with a couple and young twins who create a “small mountain of laundry to do every day.”
The two options are a front loader and a top loader.
Front loaders are more expensive overall, but they are cheaper to run, save more space, and use less water.
Top chargers, on the other hand, are generally cheaper to buy and weigh less, but cost more to run and use more water.