Guides

Make your washing machine last longer

Six habits, none of which take more than a few minutes.

A large share of the washing machine faults we see aren't bad luck — they're the slow result of habits that are easy to change. Here's what genuinely makes a difference.

1. Empty pockets, every time

Coins, screws, hair grips and bra wires are the classic killers of pumps and drums. A two-second pocket check before loading is the cheapest appliance insurance there is.

2. Don't overload it

A drum stuffed to the top strains the bearings, the motor and the suspension on every spin. If you can't fit your hand flat on top of the load, it's too full.

3. Run a monthly maintenance wash

Modern low-temperature washes are kind to clothes and unkind to machines — soap residue and bacteria build up in the parts you can't see. Once a month, run the hottest cycle empty (or with a machine cleaner). It keeps the drum, heater and hoses clean.

4. Clean the detergent drawer and filter

The drawer grows mould; the pump filter (usually behind the little hatch at the bottom front) quietly collects lint, coins and debris. Rinse the drawer monthly and check the filter every couple of months — with a towel down, because it will release some water.

5. Leave the door ajar between washes

A sealed, damp drum is a greenhouse for mould — for the rubber door seal especially. Leaving the door slightly open lets it dry out, and a quick wipe of the seal after washing keeps the folds clean.

6. Use the right amount of detergent

More soap does not mean cleaner clothes — it means residue coating the machine's internals and feeding mould. Follow the dose on the pack for your water hardness; in most of the UK you need less than you think.

When it still goes wrong

Even a well-kept machine eventually wears something out. When that happens, tell us what's happened — we'll confirm a fixed price before anything is booked, and tell you honestly if the machine isn't worth it. More guides here.