Doing laundry is one of the most regular and repetitive chores for every household. No matter where you have your washing machines, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, basement or elsewhere, it’s often one of your most valued appliances.

On average, a regular family household does their laundry daily, 7 days a week. Of course, depending on the size of the household and the kind of laundry being done, this may vary.

Washing machines can be a big investment for many families. Therefore, you’ll want it to last a good period of time before something goes wrong, it malfunctions, or it completely breaks down.

In this post, I’ll go over what the average lifespan of a washing machine is, some factors that can affect this as well as answer some frequently asked questions on the topic.

Let’s get into it.

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What Is The Lifespan Of A Washing Machine?

The lifespan of an average washing machine used by a regular household is 11 years.

This figure is determined by the number of cycles the washing machine is designed to handle, where one cycle is one wash load. If you belong to a regular household, say, of 4 people (2 parents and 2 children), this may require 7 wash loads a week, on average, or once a day.

Your washing machine will be doing 364 wash loads (7 wash loads x 52 weeks) in a year. 364 wash loads x 11 years = 4,004 wash loads or cycles. 4,004 cycles, or roughly a little bit more than 4,000 cycles.

So, a washing machine that has a lifespan of 4,000 cycles could last 11 years, if it’s used once every day.

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Factors Affecting The Lifespan Of Washing Machines

Wash Frequency:

If one wash load (cycle) per day places such a demand on your washing machine that it pushes it to its rating limit or capacity, you’d expect that reducing the weekly wash load by one cycle, making it only 6 cycles per week, would extend its lifespan.

Reducing the wash load to 6 per week lessens the demand on your washing machine by 600 – 700 cycles in its lifetime. Based on the calculations above, this could extend its lifespan by 2 years.

Overloading:

It is part of good maintenance not to overload your washing machine. They’re designed and rated within a certain weight limit, depending on the size and model. DO NOT wash more laundry (by weight) than what your washing machine was designed for.

In fact, it is also a good practice to go a bit lighter than its weight limit. This is simply done to ease up the normal wear and tear of crucial washing machine parts, like the motor, belts, couplings, bearings, and some mechanisms. Take extra care if your unit is not brand new or has some years to it already.

Follow The Manufacturer’s Advice:

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the care and maintenance of your washing machine unit. This includes how to set up, connections to a water source, electrical connections and grounding, buttons, electronic displays and error codes, type of detergent to use, cleaning, etc.

This ensures that your washing machine is taken care of properly and will not suffer unnecessary damage or malfunction.

Which Washing Machines Brands Are The Most Reliable?

Bosch, LG, Samsung, and Miele are often said to be some of the most reliable brands of washing machines on the market today and always score highly with users. I’ve been using and recommending them for years. Here are a few good picks!

LG V3 F4V309WSE 9Kg Washing Machine

Energy rating: A+++
Noise level: 73dB
Max spin: 1400rpm
Wash load: 9KG
Quick Wash: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

The LG F4V309WSE Freestanding Washing Machine is one of the most popular and best-rated LG washing machines on the market.

With its large 9KG capacity and A+++ rating, it’s perfect for any busy household. It even has a handy pause and add-item feature for when you spot that sock on the floor!

Check out the latest price on:
AO.com

Samsung Series 5 ecobubble™ WW90TA046AX 9Kg Washing Machine

Energy rating: A+++
Noise level: 74dB
Max spin: 1400rpm
Wash load: 9KG
Quick Wash: Yes
Warranty: 5 Years

The Samsung WW90TA046AX’s ecobubble™ technology gives all your clothes a really deep clean. This special function mixes the perfect amount of water with your detergent, to create powerful soapy bubbles before the cycle starts.

The bubbles then soak into fabrics to quickly and effectively lift out dirt. This function also lets you wash at lower temperatures, saving you money on your bills whilst leaving everything spotless.

Check out the latest price on:
AO.com

Miele W1 WSG363 Wifi Connected 9Kg Washing Machine 

Energy rating: A+++
Noise level: 72dB
Max spin: 1400rpm
Wash load: 9KG
Quick Wash: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years

The Miele WSG363 Washing Machine is reliable, modern and offers an extensive range of features including CapDosing, a Honeycomb drum with pre-ironing and a 1400rpm spin cycle for quicker drying times.

However, the most impressive benefit of a Miele appliance is the fact that they undergo intensive endurance tests during the development phase to meet the highest quality standards. They are designed and tested to last 20 years.

Check out the latest price on:
AO.com

Is It Better To Replace Or Repair My Washing Machine?

If your washing machine unit is still covered by its warranty, it’s better to replace it under the conditions of the warranty. If a replacement isn’t covered under warranty, however, still check the policy. Repairs may be covered, even if replacements aren’t.

The general rule of thumb is: if the cost of repair will amount to half the original price of your washing machine, then maybe it’s better to buy a new one. Some washing machine owners would have their units repaired if the cost is only 30% of its original price.

So, if the washing machine originally costs £1,000 but repairs would amount to £500, generally it’s better to replace it with a new one. But if the total repair package would cost in the vicinity of £300, it might still be worth having it repaired.

This all depends on how old your washing machine is and how often it malfunctions. Generally, the older the unit, the better it is to replace it.

Usually, minor repairs won’t cost that much. But if the bearings on the drum become worn out and it creates jarring noises when it spins, this is usually a major repair job and can become very costly.

In some washing machine models, you can’t just replace the bearings because it is sealed. You need to change the entire drum assembly, bearings and all. When you factor in professional fees and how old your washing machine unit is, it might be more practical in the long run to replace the unit with a new one.

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How Do I Make My Washing Machine Last Longer?

Whatever brand and model of washing machine you buy, some basic things remain the same. You need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when you set up your unit. Read the manual carefully and thoroughly and always operate your washing machine according to its capacity.

If you care for your washing machine, you may not only get your money’s worth in terms of its maximum lifespan, you might even extend it.

However, there are care products out there on the market for your washing machine. Calgon has tablets and a gel to help prevent limescale, dirt and detergent residues from accumulating behind the drum, in the filter and in the pipes. If left untreated this can not only cause your machine to break down but also may be the source of malodours which prevent you from getting perfect laundry results.

Final Thoughts…

Investing in a new washing machine can feel like a big purchase. But doing your research, reading the manual, and taking care of your machine can help you maximise your investment.

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