Is a broken washer standing between you and a clean load of laundry? We understand how frustrating it can be to carve out the time to wash, dry, fold, and put away your clothes. So when you do, it’s only fair that your appliance works properly. Unfortunately, that might be just the moment when your washing machine decides to go on strike. Of course, sometimes you need to call in the pros. But you might be surprised how often the solution is something you may be able to care for yourself! Here are three common washing machine problems and how to fix them.
Loud Banging Sounds
Is somebody banging on the front door? No, that’s just your washing machine alerting you to a very common issue, an unbalanced load. When a load is distributed unevenly, it can shake the washer which causes a loud banging sound.
Is There a Quick Fix?
Stop the appliance and redistribute the weight more evenly. This should stop it from shaking and banging around. It could also be that the washer is overloaded, so splitting up large loads should help. Still noisy? Check to make sure that the machine is sitting relatively flat. Most have leveling feet that you can adjust until it sits flat.
Smelly Washer
This issue is more common to front loaders than top loaders. (P.S. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a front or top-load washing machine, check out our next blog post!) There’s a rubber gasket that sits just inside the door of your appliance. And its purpose is to keep water leaks. Sometimes water and detergent can get trapped in its folds, never quite drying out. Soap scum might also be building up inside the drum and the dispensers. All this results in that unappetizing moldy smell.
What’s the Solution?
The best fix is a good, thorough cleaning of the inside. You can do this by scrubbing down the dispensers, drum, and gasket, and running an empty load using hot water and bleach. But you probably never want to have to do that again (I know I don’t!). So to prevent bad smells going forward, we recommend…
- Leaving the washer door and dispenser tray open between loads so they can completely dry out
- Wiping down the door gasket with an absorbent rag after each load
- Use the proper detergent (and the right amount) for your appliance to prevent the excess from sticking around and making a mess
Water Doesn’t Fully Drain
Nobody wants standing water in their washer. It leaves your clothes sopping wet and, if not quickly addressed, it’ll start to smell. The most common culprit in a front loader for this type of issue is a clogged drain hose or filter.
How Do I Fix It?
Front-load washers often have an easy-to-access filter in the front bottom corner of the appliance. Open the small panel and remove the filter to clear it of any visible debris. Make sure to have a rag or towel handy to soak up water that may drip from the filter area.
And that’s it! Three common washer repair problems and how to fix them. If your washing machine issues continue, it might be time to consult a washing machine specialist in Novi, MI. Give us a call if you’d like a hand!
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