We’ve had to stop some of our install services due to COVID-19, so we’ve had our experts come up with some tips to help you get up and running with your tech.

Installing a washing machine

Switch off your old machine

First up, check your old machine for any clothes inside, and unplug it from the mains.

Turn off the water and unplug the pipe

When you pull your machine away from the wall, you’ll see a hose connected to an outlet. On top of the hose is a small tap (usually blue). Make sure that hose is turned to off, then unscrew the cold water in pipe.

There might be excess water from the tap, so place a bucket or cloth underneath to pick up any spare drops.

Detach the wastewater hose

There’s another hose going from your washing machine into the floor. That’s your wastewater pipe, and it can be easily removed by just yanking it out.

Install your new machine

If you’ve followed all the steps about, your machine is unplugged from the electricity and all the hoses have been disconnected, you can now remove it ready to install your new machine.

To kick off, you need to remove what are called the carriage bolts from the back of your new machine. These are around four bolts in total, and they’re used to secure the drum from moving around too much while your new washer is being delivered. The bolts connect to screws which press against the drum to secure it.

To remove the carriage bolts, just unscrew them. It’s as straight-forward as that.

Attach the cold water in hose

Open the door of your new machine, and you’ll find all the parts you need. They’re usually in the drum.

To attach the cold water in hose, screw it to the attachment at the top of the back of the machine. It’s helpful to use a type of pliers called a mole grip to do this.

The other end of the hose needs to be screwed into the cold water supply (the one with the blue tap).

Turn on the tap

Once you’ve attached your cold water supply hose, turn on the little blue tap, and check that water is flowing through the pipe ok. Look out for any water drips to make sure the pipe is connected correctly.

Attach the wastewater pipe

You’ll find the wastewater hose attached to the back of your machine. To install this, just feed it down your wastewater pipe.

Push your washing machine back into place, and you’re nearly ready to go.

Make sure your machine is level

One of the most important steps is making sure your machine doesn’t have a wobble. As the drum rotates at super fast speeds, if the machine isn’t level, you could end up causing a lot of damage to the drum, not to mention the machine will be unnecessarily noisy.

The easiest way to do this is, one the machine is in place, rock it gently from opposite corners. Or, if you have a spirit level on hand, you can use that to see if it’s level.

If it isn’t level, there’s a fairly easy fix. The legs are locked by a locking nut, which you’ll need to loosen using a spanner. Once that’s done, you can adjust the legs up or down. Repeat this until the machine is steady, and then tighten the locking nut to keep everything in place.

Get washing!

Once all that is done, congratulations, your washer is all ready to start washing clothes.

Installing a tumble dryer

Remove all the packaging

Start with the plastic wrapping on the outside before moving onto the polystyrene. Many tumble dryers also have polystyrene inside to keep the drum from moving around during transit. If yours has this, you’ll see a sticker and ribbon attached under the dryer door.

Open the door

You’ll usually find the instruction book for your tumble dryer inside the drum – make sure to use it along with this guide. If yours is a vented tumble dryer, you’ll find the vent hose in there too.

Make sure there’s nothing inside the drum when you install the tumble dryer when you begin the installation.

Remove your old dryer

If your old tumble dryer is a vented one, you’ll need to disconnect the vent hose first. You can do this by twisting it to the left at the vent hose kit in the wall.

Tumble dryers are very heavy, so we’d recommend that you have another person help out when moving the old or new appliance. Make sure not to push or pull the dryer on the ground as you could scratch or rip flooring.

Attach the vent hose

Place your new tumble dryer near where you plan to put it and attach the vent hose. On the back of the dryer, you’ll see the outlet. It tends to be on the bottom right. Twisting to the right should connect it.

You’ll then need to twist the other end of the vent hose into your vent hose kit on the wall, or condenser box. Ideally, the vent hose shouldn’t be placed out of a window or door.

If the vent hose is too long, you may be able to shorten it. Make sure you check the instruction book first, though.

Plug it in

Plug the dryer into a socket and then push it gently into place. Once it’s there, you may need to adjust the front feet. The instructions for adjusting the feet vary by manufacturer, so be sure to check the instructions.

Once they’re adjusted, you’re ready to start drying.

What about condenser or heat pump dryers?

These kinds of tumble dryers aren’t vented, so usually they only require plugging in. However, there are a couple of things you should know.

Condenser dryers have a water collection tray, condenser unit and lint tray. They tend to work better in a colder environment, so that’s something to consider when choosing where to place it.

Heat pump dryers have a water collection tray and lint tray too. These work better inside the home, such as the kitchen or utility room, and will need to settle before you take it for a spin.

All done! Now you can check out our 10 laundry hacks to be sure your washing is effective!