A great washing machine is more than just an appliance. It’s something you depend on to take care of your laundry so you can focus on what’s really important. But after several years of solid use, your washing machine will show its age much in the same way as anything else. Read on to see if it’s time for you to invest in a new machine.
1. It's not kind to your clothes
If your clothes are important to you, it’s worth investing in a machine that takes care of them. And if you have an older machine, chances are that it's doing neither.
Samsung’s Ecobubble™ washing machines are a good option. These machines cleverly mix detergent with air and water; flooding the drum in stain-fighting foam. Ecobubble™ technology is designed to work on a cooler setting, so it's kinder on your bills too. But that’s just the start. Hygiene Steam eliminates 99.9% of germs* for a deep-down clean. And you’ll be amazed how peaceful it is, allowing you to sleep soundly even on the fastest spin.
2. The drum won’t spin at the end of the cycle
When you take your clothes out of the washing machine they should be wet – but not soaking wet – thanks to the fast spin at the end of the cycle. But this fast spin can sometimes stop working, leaving you to open the washing machine door to find heavy clothes still drenched in water.
This could be because of:
Pressure system fault: The spin cycle kicks in when a pressure sensor shows the water has drained. A fault or blockage can stop this from working
Worn motor: This can make it difficult for the motor to reach the speed needed for the fastest spin. Worn carbon brushes are often to blame
Did you know? Some new machines use strong magnets instead of brushes to drive the drum. This causes less wear and tear and makes them much quieter.
3. The machine still works but the water hasn’t drained
Nothing is more frustrating than running a cycle only to find the water hasn’t drained, especially when your favourite shirt is inside.
If the drum is full of water and your machine still works it might be a problem with your pump filter, which is supposed to stop coins and pieces of material blocking your machine. Simple blockages, of the drain hose or U-bend beneath the sink, are easy to fix.
Can you hear the pump running? If it's making a noise it isn’t a blockage and will need further investigation.
Good to know: Before checking the pump filter you'll need to drain the washing machine manually.
4. It’s more noisy than it should be
It’s hard to relax as a family or concentrate on what you’re doing when a noisy washing machine is causing a disturbance in the kitchen.
The faster your drum is spinning, the louder and more unbalanced the machine will be. The noise is even greater when items get caught in the drum, or by washing ‘an unbalanced load’ – a bath towel with a couple of T-shirts, or any other combination of heavy and light fabrics. But it could also a sign there is a problem with the bearings.
How to check your bearings: Turn the washing machine drum by hand when it is empty and not being used. If it feels as though you’re pushing against something, you have a problem.
5. It’s no longer big enough for your family
You bought your current washing machine before you had children, or when your children were very small. Since then your family has grown. There’s just not enough room in the drum to cope with your laundry hamper: teenagers’ jeans, rugby kits and a seemingly endless assortment of towels.
Washing machine drum sizes vary greatly, starting at 6kg and reaching up to 12kg. The average load weighs around 2 to 2.5kg, with 1kg accounting for a pair of trousers, a blouse, underwear and socks.
A machine with at least 8kg should offer enough room for the average family with 2 children. If you have a larger family you should look at larger capacity 10kg machines. Smaller families who prefer to wash their clothes less frequently in larger loads may also find a bigger drum ideal.
Don’t buy bigger than you can fill. Washing machines deliver the best results when the drum is filled to match the programme you’ve selected.
6. It’s much older than your latest smartphone
New smartphones are launched each year, packed with the latest technology. Washing machines are always evolving and improving too, and come with some amazing features.
So, if you bought your washing machine several years ago, there's now going to be loads of new washing tech you’re missing out on.
Stain removal and rinsing technology has become much more sophisticated, helping you better care for the clothes you love. Energy efficiency has massively improved too, so keep an eye out for washing machines with the best energy ratings.
Check out our most energy efficient washing machines
New and exciting technologies make laundry days much easier so you can focus on the more important things in life. From new Samsung washing machines with a second door to add items mid-wash to smartphone apps for checking on your laundry when you’re out of the house.
Ready to upgrade? Check out our full range here or take a look at our top picks below...
*Testing done by Intertek on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, on 100% cotton, 3kg load, with standard powder detergent. Individual results may vary.
