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How Long Do Washing Machines Last? (2024 Guide)

white washing machine

Washing machines are a marvel of technology, but like any machine, they wear out over time and need to be replaced. Most new washing machines today have an average lifespan of 10 years, but 14 years isn’t unheard of. Faulty or defective machines may fail as soon as 5–7 years, and they’re not cheap to replace!

Those figures are estimated by assuming the average person does a load of laundry per day, so doing laundry less frequently can help your washer last longer. Let’s dig into some more info about washing machines, including signs it’s time to replace your washer.

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Signs You Need a New Washer

It can be hard to gauge how long your washing machine will last, but luckily, there are numerous common signs of a washer approaching the end of its lifespan. Let’s check them out below so you know what to watch for.

1. Leaking

washing machine
Image Credit: Antonio_Cansino, Pixabay

When a washing machine gets old and its components wear out, it can begin to leak. Thankfully, this issue can often be fixed by simply replacing the hose, washer, or other faulty parts. More serious flaws that cause leaks can include cracks in the drum, which are more common with older washing machines. Sadly, those call for a replacement machine.


2. The Drum Won’t Fill With Water

Sometimes cycles have a delay before the drum will fill up with water for the wash cycle, which can make people think the washer itself is broken. If there’s nothing wrong with the machine’s hoses and pump, it could just be time to retire your washer.


3. It’s Much Louder Than It Used to Be

washing machine
Image Credit: Piqsels

Washing machines generally aren’t very quiet to begin with, but they can become much louder when the bearings wear out. To check the bearings, try to turn the drum with your hand when it’s empty. If it seems to stick or stop, the bearings are definitely your culprit. If the machine is already more than 7 years old, it’s often easier to just buy a new one than pay for a repair.


4. It’s Not Cleaning Your Clothes

Clogged detergent trays and oversized loads of laundry are the most common reasons your washer isn’t cleaning your clothes properly. In most cases, you can fix the problem by cleaning the tray or washing smaller loads, but what if that doesn’t work?

Old washers that consistently fail to clean your clothes can be nigh impossible to fix, which means it’s time to order a new one.

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How to Extend the Life of Your Washing Machine

Person pouring liquid in the washing machine
Image Credit: RODNAE Productions, Pexels

If you want to make your washer last as long as possible, there are several simple ways you can do so. They can help reduce wear on your washer but won’t prevent it from wearing out eventually. Let’s see how you can extend your washer’s effective lifespan below.

Tips for Making Your Washing Machine Last Longer:

  • Don’t overload the drum with laundry
  • Use less laundry detergent
  • Check pockets for change, keys, and other items before throwing garments in the drum
  • Remove wet clothes from the machine as soon as possible
  • Check your drain hose for kinks before starting a cycle

How Long Do Other Household Appliances Last?

Top Load Washing Machine
Image Credit: Opat Suvi, Shutterstock

You may be curious to learn how long other appliances last, which can help you plan when you should expect to replace them. They’re very expensive, after all. Let’s see how long some other household appliances last, on average.

Average Appliance Lifespans:

Dryer: 10–13 years
Gas range stove: 15 years
Dishwasher: 10–13 years
Microwave: 10 years

Related Read: Impeller vs. Agitator Washing Machines: What’s the Difference?

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Conclusion

Washing machines are invaluable appliances that last an average of 10–14 years before needing to be replaced. If your washing machine is displaying multiple of the symptoms listed above and it’s more than 7–8 years old, it’s probably a good idea to replace it with a new one.


Featured Image Credit: PlanetCare, Unsplash

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