Common washing machine problems and how to fix them

washing machine problems
  • Save

Today I wanted to talk about a massive point of household stress – washing machine problems! It can be incredibly frustrating when your washing machine no longer works as it should. Nowadays, with our hectic schedules, we rely on our washing machines to take care of our clothes for us, so when we encounter washing machine problems, this can very easily ruin our day. Luckily, many of the common issues that crop up have rather straightforward solutions, so you can get back on top of the laundry in no time. Read on to find out the solutions to various common washing machine problems.

Your washing machine won’t drain:

When your washer won’t drain, it can be difficult to figure out what to do, but the problem could be simple and easy to solve. Most commonly, a washing machine that won’t drain could be a sign of a blocked drain hose, and you will need to disconnect this hose to remove the water from the machine and find the blockage. There could also be a blockage in the drain pump, or there could be an issue with the main control board. If you can’t find a blockage and you’re unsure of what you should do, it’s best to consult a professional.

Your washing machine won’t spin:

This is another infuriating yet common problem, but again, it can be easily solved. To fix a washer that doesn’t spin, you may need to readjust the load, as a load that is too heavy or one that doesn’t meet a certain weight threshold may cause your washing machine to not spin. If this doesn’t work, there could be a more serious underlying problem, and in this case, you should get someone else to take a look at your machine.

The door won’t open:

If your clothes are trapped in a washing machine that refuses to open, this can certainly cause some alarm. However, there’s no reason to panic because there is often a simple solution. The reason why your washing machine isn’t opening could be because there is still water in the machine, which means that running another cycle could fix the issue. If the problem persists, perhaps your washer won’t drain properly, and in that case, you can refer back to the first item on this list.

Your clothes come out smelly:

A washing machine that makes your clothes smellier than before they were washed seems utterly pointless and very frustrating. However, just like our clothes, washing machines can become dirty too, so a proper clean is perhaps just what it needs. Clean your machine regularly to ensure that it stays in good condition, and to prevent this issue from arising again, it’s important to leave the washing machine door open until the inside dries after you take out your clothes. Immediately closing the door traps the warmth and moisture inside, providing the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, so you should always air out the inside of the machine between washes. Fortunately, washing machine problems can be easy to solve, but if you can’t figure out how to fix your machine, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Also, remember to always make sure that the machine is turned off and not plugged in if you’re checking for blockages.

If your clothes comes out smelly, then it may be to do with the temperature you are using. With this in mind, The Laundress’s guide on understanding water temperature is a great starting point for finding out washing machine temperature dos and don’ts. Generally speaking, lower temperatures help to protect fabrics but aren’t as good at getting rid of sweaty smells. Hot water is the most powerful for cleaning, being better at sanitizing clothes (assuming it is hot enough) than cold water, and also works better to remove odors and stains; providing it is used with good quality washing products. 

How many of these washing machine problems have you encountered recently?

People photo created by rawpixel.com – www.freepik.com

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.