Tag Archives: washing machines

Reasons Your Washing Machine Won’t Spin and What to Do About It

Washing machines could not be simpler to use. Simply load your soiled clothing, add detergent, and start the machine. After a few hours, you’ll have clean and fresh laundry ready for clothes dryers.

While this is the case, things become more complicated if something prevents your washing machine from spinning. You end up with a sopping wet ball of clothes that you must either run through another separate spin cycle (after adjusting the load) or, if that fails, wring out and dry yourself, which is time-consuming.

A failed spin cycle can be inconvenient, and even the best washing machines can be affected. If this is a recurring issue for you, appliance repair professionals report that it can be brought about by several reasons causing your washing machine not to spin. Here are some of these reasons and tips on how to solve the problem once and for all.

Overloading the machine

It’s easy to get into the habit of cramming everything into your washing machine. After all, the fewer cycles you run, the more energy and water you save.

While this is correct, overloading your washing machine may cause the load to wash less efficiently because the garments will not agitate as quickly, and the detergent will not penetrate or apply itself evenly.

The solution is simple: don’t overload your washing machine. You can tell whether you’re doing it by how much you shove and stuff things in. Only fill it to make the best use of the available area and to ensure a complete and regulated spin cycle.

When loading the machine, remember that some cycles, such as the rapid wash setting, also have a limited capacity, so keep this in mind at all times.  

Unevenly loading the machine.

Depending on what you’re washing, you might not fill the machine but still create an uneven load. This is frequent when washing heavy objects such as pillows or tiny duvets.

Since these are saturated and weighed down during the wash cycle, any gaps in the drum become more noticeable.

The weight is thrown across the drum while the machine tries to gain speed to spin. In such cases, the sensors will normally kick in and prevent it from spinning for the abovementioned reasons.

To remedy the issue, you need to balance out the weight distribution. This can be accomplished by piling two pillows at once or padding the weight with towels. This will allow the machine to safely reach the appropriate spin speed without tossing itself around.

While this is an effective solution, ensure the bedding you’re washing is machine-safe. Certain pillows, such as memory foam, are not suited, and delicate bedding may require dry washing.

If you wash your pillows in the washing machine, completely dry them afterward, fluffing them frequently in a well-ventilated area.

Running an imbalanced machine

Another reason your washing machine isn’t spinning is because it’s not leveled properly. If the feet are not evenly balanced on the floor, the weight will be rotated in the drum, generating a lot of noise.

Leaning on the top of the appliance and moving your weight around will reveal whether this is the case. In the absence of that, a spirit level can assist in determining where the appliance is uneven. In such cases, the sensors will once again inhibit the spin cycle.

Adjust the feet to the proper height to level an uneven washing machine. To begin, unhook the appliance and carefully remove it from its location.

This allows you to inspect the floor’s condition; if it’s damaged in any manner, you’ll need to repair it. Depending on access, you may need to adjust the feet here, but otherwise, you may push it back into place with a helping hand and adjust it from there. 

The directions for adjusting the feet will be in the handbook, but the standard procedure is to loosen the lock nuts on each foot using a wrench and then rotate the required bolts to increase or decrease the height.

When satisfied, check the balance as you modify and tighten the nuts. This should resolve the issue, but if you need more confidence about adjusting the feet, you can always get a professional to help.

Using too much detergent

Many people have the impression that using too much detergent is harmless. Many believe it increases cleaning performance, but this is not true. Too much detergent makes rinsing garments more difficult, resulting in residual soap. This results in a “scrunchy” texture that is more likely to cause allergy reactions.

Clothes will also not agitate as effectively in the washing machine. You should remember that too many suds prevent a good wash by cushioning the clothes from rubbing against one another.

Too much detergent can cause issues with the spin cycle on front-loading washing machines. This is due to the fact that it produces excessive suds, which confuse the sensors if not thoroughly washed away.

The washing machine will believe it is fuller than it is, affecting the spin cycle speed. It may even pause to remove the suds, resulting in delays or problems. At best, this results in a less efficient spin cycle and clothing that is too moist and soapy.

To stay safe, use a suitable HE (high efficiency) washing detergent to avoid this issue. Such detergents will not produce excessive suds but follow the dosage instructions.

Damaged drive belt

The drive belt in your washing machine is what rotates the drum. So, if it’s stopped spinning, there could also be an issue here. By manually turning the empty drum of your washing machine, you may examine the condition of the drive belt. If it spins smoothly with little effort, the drive belt has likely been misplaced or snapped entirely.

Check the drive belt on some machines by unplugging the machine and removing the front or rear panel – your manual should provide instructions. You should be able to see if it’s come loose or broken and has to be replaced.

In either case, you should get the help of a washer repair Fairfax professional to handle the replacement. Some machines may need to be propped up or even flipped over to gain access to this part, which can be dangerous, and you must use the correct part for the exact model and fit it correctly, which a professional can assist with.

Tips to Keeping Your Appliances in Tip Top Shape

With everyone looking for ways to save money and make the most of their appliances, having an appliance breakdown is something you don’t want.

Fortunately, you can do several things to ensure your appliance is always in tip-top shape. To help you out, here are ways to ensure that your washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, and other appliances are in great working order.

Washing machine

When you don’t clean your laundry efficiently, it results in stains and stinky garments.

This is likely due to overloading the appliance, which makes it harder for the water and detergent to work effectively. Using too much detergent can also cause the machine to clog, reducing lifespan.

To ensure that your appliance is in tip-top shape, fill it to around 80% capacity; your hand should be able to fit in the drum on top of your garments.

To avoid the washing machine from becoming unbalanced during the spin cycle, washer repair experts recommend that you distribute the clothes evenly in the drum. Remember that an imbalanced load might cause the machine to shake excessively, causing damage to the machine.

You also should reduce the quantity of detergent you use and clean your washing machine deep every few months to remove any residue from detergent or garments.

You should follow the detergent manufacturer’s instructions. Too much detergent might result in excessive suds and residue buildup, while using too little may leave your clothes unclean.

A “cleaning” or “maintenance” cycle is available on many washing machines. Run this cycle according to your machine’s directions, using hot water, a washing machine cleanser, or a vinegar and baking soda mixture. This aids in the removal of deposits and odors from the machine’s drum and other components.

Dishwasher

If your dishwasher isn’t washing pots and pans properly, it may be tempting to hand-wash them first – but this might waste a lot of water, which can be expensive.

Instead, keep your dishwasher in good working order to guarantee that your dishes come out shining. You also should be on the lookout for foul odors and gurgling noises that could signal a clogged filter.

To clean the filter, take it from the appliance, empty it, rinse it out, and scrape it with an old toothbrush. This will help it capture food residue and clean your plates all the time.

Oven

Most of us use our ovens daily, so seeing smoke billowing from them is frightening. Most of the time, this is due to food and grease residue, which has to be cleaned.

If you recently cleaned the oven, the smoke could be from excess cleaner left in the oven. In this scenario, the best thing to do is to remove the extra cleaner using a vinegar and water solution.

After fully cleaning your oven and stopping smoking, leave at least 3 inches of distance between food and heating elements.

Also, don’t put food directly on the oven racks because it shortens the time between deep cleans.

Microwave

Despite their small size, microwaves require more frequent cleaning than other appliances due to the possibility of tenacious stains and foul odors.

After using your microwave, wipe it clean with a microfibre towel to avoid any splashes or spillages from drying and becoming more difficult to remove

You can also use small amounts of vinegar to assist in removing food spills.

Using baking soda to remove odors from your microwave is also an excellent way to go about it. Combine water and baking soda in a big microwave-safe basin and heat on high for 5 minutes, being careful not to boil the solution.

Tumble dryer

Tumble dryers sometimes struggle to get hot enough or fail to heat up over time. This may not always imply that it needs to be repaired but rather that it needs to be cleaned out.

Poor circulation can lead tumble dryers not to heat up effectively. This is commonly caused by a buildup of soggy lint from fluff and fibers that fall off your clothing when flung around inside the appliance’s drum.

To keep your appliance in top working shape, make sure that you clean your filter after each cycle to allow the air to circulate properly within the dryer and effectively dry your clothes.

You also must clean the condenser box if you have a condenser dryer. You remove the box and empty the water into your sink.

Fridge freezer

Fridge freezers have a lengthy lifespan, but if yours is suddenly warmer than it should be, there could be an issue.

This could be due to something preventing the door from closing correctly, such as food lodged in the seal or a fridge freezer that is too full.

To keep your appliance in top working shape, avoid overfilling the device, as this can limit circulation in the fridge freezer, resulting in temperature changes.

You also should 0rganize your food products properly. Keep the necessary products together in labeled containers. This lowers the time the door is open, which helps keep the temperature stable.

Also, defrost the appliance twice yearly to maintain routine maintenance and eliminate the need for repairs.

If possible, have an appliance repair Springfield professional perform an annual maintenance check. They may find problems you overlooked and do more in-depth maintenance activities.

When hiring repair professionals, don’t hire just any professional. Hire an experienced one that knows what they are doing.

As a rule of thumb, you should interview the various technicians and ensure they have the necessary experience to diagnose and fix the appliance.

Many homeowners try to save money by hiring the cheapest contractors. This is wrong because most cheap contractors are inexperienced and often end up causing more problems than were there.

The best way to do it is to take your time and find a moderately priced contractor who will give your appliance the service it deserves.

Items That Should Never See The Insides Of Your Washing Machine

As much as a washing machine is a vital appliance in your home as it makes cleaning easy, you shouldn’t wash everything using it. This is because some items can cause damage to them, and you are forced to hire an appliance repair professional.

Which are these items? Here they are:

Memory foam pillows

You can wash most synthetic, cotton, and even down pillows in the washer, but you can’t do this to memory foam pillows usually can’t. This is because foam is too fragile, and the process can easily tear it. Even if you choose not to spin, the clothes will still be heavy and wet, so don’t do it.

Most of the time, you can wash the covers in the washing machine. But use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to clean the foam pillow. If you need to clean specific spots, use a microfiber cloth, a mild dish detergent solution, and a damp cloth to clean.

Loose bras

Washing a bra can ruin its shape and hurt its underwire. On top of that, the metal clasps can easily catch on other things in the load and tear them while the cycle is running.

Use a laundry bag when you wash your bras in the washing machine. If you want to be safe and don’t want any damage, wash by hand.

Swimwear

Even if the tag on your swimsuit says it can be washed in a washing machine, you should wash it by hand if you want it to last.

You should note that when you put the swimwear material through a wash cycle, the material will stretch and sag, which means it will lose shape over time. You don’t want this, do you?

Whether your swimwear is made of nylon or spandex, the material can easily get caught on other things in the load, like zippers or clasps, and get damaged. To avoid damage and disappowashingr, wash it gently is better by hand.

Embellished items

If your clothing has sequins all over it, it’s likely to get ruined in the washing machine.

Even if you turn the item inside out, many threads can still be pulled or caught during the cycle.

If the decorations are stuck on, that won’t help either because the heat can melt the glue.

Don’t put your embellished clothing items in the washing machine to avoid all the problems that can come about.

For the same reason, you shouldn’t put anything with lace or embroidery. Lace is too fragile and can be torn easily by other things. To protect your clothing, follow the care label and take them to a dry cleaner if you need to.

Delicate sweaters

This is probably the mistake that people make the most. If the item is made of wool, cashmere, or velvet, check the care label to learn how to wash it.

The high temperatures in a washing machine can make the fabric shrink, and rubbing against other things can make it look old.

You can wash your sweater by hand with a mild detergent or take it to the dry cleaners if necessary.

Even if the care label says you can wash the sweater in a machine, use a laundry bag to protect it during the cycle and make it last longer.

Suits

It makes sense to follow ties with suits, which should also not be washed in a machine. Most are made of delicate fabrics that can easily get ruined in the wash.

Even if the suit is made of cotton or polyester, it will still have interfacing, giving it its shape. Water can break down interfacing and make it bend out of the body, so don’t wash your suits in the washing machine. Instead, take them to a dry cleaner.

Parting shot

These are some of the clothing items you shouldn’t wash in the washing machine. You protect your clothing and engine by passing the right things in your washing machine, so you don’t need a washer repair Springfield professional.

How Do You Fix An Unbalanced Washing Machine?

An unbalanced washing machine not only fails to clean the clothes properly, but it also makes a lot of noise that makes the washing experience unpleasant. In some cases, the unbalanced load damages the machine.

Have you noticed that your washing machine is unbalanced and are wondering how do you fix an unstable washing machine? There are plenty of ways to go about it, and the beauty is you don’t need to hire a washer repair professional to help you out.

Level the feet

When the washing machine feet are unbalanced, they cause a lot of vibration that is off-putting, so if your appliance is vibrating too much during a cycle, the first place to check is the appliance’s feet.

If some of the feet are too short, turn them to “loosen,” and they will come downward and contact the floor. The vibration should stop when all four feet come into contact with the ground.

Remove the shipping materials.

If you recently installed the washing machine and it’s already vibrating, the chances are high that it’s due to the shipping materials still in place.

In top loading washers, there is usually a shipping bolt at the bottom center of the machine that you are supposed to remove, and if you don’t remove it, the washer tends to vibrate when running a cycle.

Top-loading washers also have three shipping bolts, metal clamps, and spacers at the back of the washer. Some models even have other materials that you need to remove before you run a cycle.

You should refer to the installation instruction for your appliance and ensure that you remove all the shipping materials before using the machine.

Check for overloading

If your appliance doesn’t vibrate and the vibration just started after placing a new load, chances are this is due to overloading. Remove the clothes and run the cycle with a smaller load.

To avoid this problem from coming about in the future, never load the dishwasher more than it’s designed to carry. You also should avoid stocking large items that get spun on one side, causing loud knocking and shaking of the machine.

Leave these items out and hand wash or dry clean them instead.

Watch out for damaged components.

If your appliance is old, chances are the unbalance is due to damaged parts. Some of the damaged parts that will cause vibrations include:

Suspension springs: Both top and front-loading machines have springs that hold the tub to the base or suspend it from the top. Ensure that these springs are connected, and none is distended. To maintain balance, don’t replace only one of the shocks—replace all.

Snubber ring: The snubber ring is made from plastic or felt, and it provides a cushion for the tub of the top-loading unit. When it wears out, the tub contacts the metal base.

Telltale signs that your snubber ring is worn out are dust on the plastic snubber or clumps. If you have the skills, you can replace the ring but if you have never done it before, let the work be done by a professional.

Driver bearings: Some front-loading washing machines have ball bearings between the motor shaft and tub spindle. If the casting wears out and one or more of the bearings get dislodged, the tub vibrates.

Fixing the driver bearings requires high skill levels, so if you have never handled a similar problem before, let an expert do the work. If your unit is old, disassembling it might be too costly, making it logical to replace it.

Check for laundry caught below the tub.

Sometimes the laundry can be caught below the tub or between the agitator and the inner tub, causing the washer to operate off balance with every load you run. According to appliance repair Northern VA professionals, this problem can be brought about by plenty of factors such as a penny, a button that fell off a shirt, a sock, or any other article of clothing.

If you can’t find the source of the problem, you may have to remove the front or top panel and sometimes even the agitator.

To get rid of the problem, remove the offending item and clean out any debris. You should then replace the agitator and panel before rerunning the machine.

What Is Wrong With My Washer? Here Are Some Of The Most Common Washer Problems As Given By Washer Repair Experts

The dishwasher experiences plenty of problems that not only make it hard to wash your clothes, but also end up damaging your clothes. You can solve some of the issues by yourself while others require you to hire a washer repair professional.

Are you wondering, what is wrong with my washer? Here are some of the most common washer problems and how to solve them:

Washer vibration

Does your washer vibrate when cleaning? This is a common problem when you use an unleveled appliance, you load an unbalanced laundry, or you use a machine that isn’t in contact with the floor.

For you to fix this problem, ensure that the washer feet are firmly in contact with the floor. You should level or balance the washer and tighten the jam nuts so that the legs and feet don’t shift.

Also, check the floor for sagging. If it has sagged, add a piece of plywood under the washer to keep it level.

If the laundry is loaded unevenly, rearrange it and load it correctly to avoid the shifting. If you are mid-cycle, pause the cycle and spread the clothes through the drum. Evenly distribute the weighty items such as towels and heavy garments, so there isn’t just one heavy clump being spun around.

Leaking water

Your appliance will leak due to many reasons. One of the most common ones is if the washer isn’t level or properly loaded. It will also leak if the hoses aren’t tightly attached or the hose washers are worn out or improperly inserted.

The first thing you should check is whether the appliance is properly balanced. If not, you need to balance the washing machine. You also should confirm whether the washer basket is out of alignment, causing the water to splash out.

Go around all the hoses and tighten the connections. Ensure that the hose washers aren’t cracked or broken. Also, confirm that they have seated properly in the hose.

Also, pay attention to the water lines and faucets. Are they leaking? If they are, seal them.

You also should confirm that the washer is draining properly, and the drain hose isn’t clogged with hair, lint or a wayward sock.

Using the wrong detergents can also cause the machine to leak, so check the detergent you are using. If you have been using the wrong soaps, the chances are that you have excess suds that could be causing the drum to overfill and leak.

If the leak is small and coming from the front of the machine, it might be coming from the door. This leakage could be due to a seal that might have worn out due to age. To fix the problem, reapply the seal.

Washer making a lot of noise

While the appliance shouldn’t be dead silent, it shouldn’t be too noisy either. In most cases, the appliance will make a lot of noise when there are foreign objects inside, or a part inside has gotten loose.

Different noises come about due to various reasons. For example, gurgling noises indicate something obstructing the drain line. All you need to do is to remove the blockage and prevent it from becoming a full-blown clog.

Is your appliance making clicking sounds? The sounds are often due to objects lodged in the washer drain. The chances are that you missed removing a coin or any other item from the pocket. You need to simply check the drains and remove the foreign object.

If your unit is making humming or buzzing sounds, you might be having a foreign object lodged in your pump. A foreign object tends to jam the system. If the damage is extensive, you have no way out other than to replace the pump. If there is no damage, removing the object is enough to fix the problem.

Bad smell coming from the washer

Even if they are designed to clean clothes, they also get dirty, and when you don’t clean them early enough, they start smelling. The smell is also transferred to the clothes, and you end up having to rewash them.

To fix the problem, you simply need to wash the washing machine. Also, ask an experienced appliance repair Fairfax professional to look around for mold and mildew growth as you might be having a problem with excessive moisture.