Washing machine maintenance: schedule, lifespan and costs
Updated
Overview
The washing machine is a drum, a motor, a pump and a pair of hoses under constant pressure, and it lives in the dampest corner of the house. Its upkeep is small and specific: a cleaning cycle once a month so the drum and the seals don't grow mold, the drain filter cleared so the pump doesn't strain, and the supply hoses replaced on a schedule, because a burst hose is the single most expensive thing a washer can do to a house.
Lifespan
A washing machine lasts 10 to 13 years. What shortens that is strain on the parts that move water: a drain pump working against a full filter, a motor hauling unbalanced loads, and bearings worn by overloading. Detergent residue and fabric softener build a film on the drum and the seals that grows mold and stiffens the rubber. Hard water scales the heating element in machines that have one.
What extends the life is a clean drain filter, a monthly cleaning cycle, loads that match the machine's size, and a door left open between washes so the drum dries. The signs a washer is near the end: a drum that rumbles or roars on the spin, which is the bearings, water under the machine from a seal rather than a hose, a pump that won't drain after the filter is clear, and a control board that stops mid-cycle.
Maintenance schedule
The jobs that keep a washing machine going, in the order they come due.
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Clean the washing machine | once a month |
| Replace the washing machine hoses | every 3 to 5 years |
Replacement cost
A new washing machine costs $600 to $1,500. The low end is a basic top loader, and the high end is a large front loader with steam and a direct-drive motor that's quieter and gentler on clothes. A matching dryer is a separate purchase.
The repair-or-replace rule: if the repair would cost more than half of a new machine and the washer is past the middle of its lifespan, replace it. Drum bearings or a motor on a machine older than 10 years is a replacement, since the labor alone can approach the price of a basic washer. A drain pump, an inlet valve, a door latch, a lid switch or a door gasket is a repair, and most are parts an owner can change with a video and an afternoon.
Common problems
- A musty smell from the machine or the clean clothes: mold in the drum, the drawer and the door gasket. Clean the washing machine and leave the door open between loads.
- Water on the floor: check the supply hoses and their fittings first, since a hose is the usual leak and the dangerous one. Replace the washing machine hoses if they bulge, crack or drip, and look at the drain hose and the door gasket next.
- The machine won't drain, or stops with a drain error: a full drain filter, a kinked drain hose, or a sock in the pump. Clear the filter before calling for service.
- A loud bang or a walk across the floor during the spin: an unbalanced load, or a machine that isn't level. Level the feet and split big loads.
- A roar or rumble on the spin that gets louder over months: worn drum bearings, which is the end of most older machines.
- Residue or gray streaks on clean clothes: too much detergent, or a dirty drum. Use less detergent and run a cleaning cycle.
FAQ
How long does a washing machine last?
About 10 to 13 years. A clean drain filter, balanced loads and a monthly cleaning cycle get it to the long end.
How much does a new washing machine cost?
$600 to $1,500, from a basic top loader to a large, quiet front loader.
Is it worth repairing a washing machine?
If the repair is less than half the price of a new one and the machine is less than 10 years old, usually yes. Bearings or a motor on an older machine is not.
Why does my front load washer smell?
Water sits in the fold of the door gasket, and detergent film in the drum feeds mold. Wipe the gasket dry after wash day, run a cleaning cycle monthly, and leave the door open.
How often should washing machine hoses be replaced?
Every 3 to 5 years, and rubber hoses every 3. Braided stainless steel hoses are the ones to buy.