Anyone who has ever experienced the sudden loss of a washer or dryer knows just how frustrating it can be. You have a load of laundry to do, and you’re left scrambling to either make it to a laundromat or call in a plumber, pronto. And because washers and dryers so often seem to fizzle out with little advance warning, it can be especially maddening. The good news is that, while washers and dryers don’t last forever – some simple maintenance can help you extend their lifespan and get more out of them.
How to Get More Out of Your Washer and Dryer
Here’s what you need to do.
Make sure to keep your machines level.
If the machines aren’t level, they could vibrate and ultimately damage themselves.
Keep your machines clean.
This is especially important for the washing machine. Make sure you routinely wipe them down, removing surface dust and stray detergent.
Clean your lint trap.
Do it regularly!
Check your water fill hoses.
Even a small blister might point toward an impending rupture. Ideally, you’ll replace the hoses every five years or so.
Don’t dry any more than you need to.
For one thing, over drying is bad for your clothes—but it can also limit the life of the dryer itself.
Keep the door to your washing machine open.
That is unless you have cats, dogs, or small children that might try to climb inside! Keeping the door ajar can discourage the growth of mildew and mould.
Check your dryer’s ventilation tubes.
Make sure there are no kinks or bends. These can actually be fire traps.
Turn off the units when they’re not in use for long periods of time.
Actually, this is mostly a matter for your washing machine. If you’re going on vacation, turn off the water supply, which can prevent potentially disastrous plumbing leaks.
And of course, if your washer does spring a leak, know how to turn off the water supply immediately—and then give your local plumber a call to help fix the problem at its source.
Washers and dryers won’t last your lifetime – but if you follow these tips, they should certainly prevent you from needing to give us a call. But when they do begin to cause you trouble, your friendly, local Vancouver plumbers are only a call away. 
