How do you know it’s time to get a new washing machine?

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. The more you use it the more it wears out and reaches its “expiration date”.

Below we have compiled a list of 6 signs to show you when it’s time to get a new washing machine. Read on to see if it’s time for you to invest in a new washing machine. However if you realize that maybe only one or two symptoms are present, your washing might be in need of some repairs only. Quickly contact us at Isocool for washing machine repairs in Gauteng and its surrounding areas.

It’s not kind to your clothes… or the environment

If your clothes are important to you as the planet, it’s worth investing in a machine that takes care of both. And if you have an older machine, chances are that it’s doing neither.

We have discovered that 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 and the environment. 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.

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.

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 favorite 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. You can contact Isocool washing machine experts to help you with this.

It’s noisier 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. Contact Isocool washing machine experts for diagnoses.

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.

It’s much older than your latest smart phone

New smart-phones 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.

What the Washing machine experts say

Despite your washing machine exhibiting these telltale signs it’s always wise to get a professional opinion before deciding to get a new washing machine. Minor tweaks and repairs are all that could be needed to get your washing in pristine working condition once again, this is especially the case if the manufacture’s “expiration date” has not lapsed.

Here is what should do before purchasing a new washing machine. Contact Isocool or any other professional washing machine experts for a second opinion. At Isocool we have 10+ years working with most brands of washing machines and know what to expect from each. Contact us for washing machine repair services in Gauteng and its surrounding areas and we will come and make an assessment on whether it’s time to get a new washing machine or not.