How long do washing machines last? Anywhere from 5 to 15 years, according to InterNACHI's life expectancy chart. That ten-year spread is one of the widest the chart gives any appliance. The number of loads a washer runs, and how it's loaded and leveled, explain most of that spread.
Typical lifespan
InterNACHI lists washing machines at 5 to 15 years, assuming regular maintenance and normal wear, and calls its figures guidelines only. The chart doesn't separate front-loaders from top-loaders.
Some manufacturers describe life in cycles rather than years. Speed Queen's product brochure says every model is tested to 10,400 cycles, or 25 years of life in the average home. That's a manufacturer's testing claim for its own machines, not an average across brands, but the cycle framing is useful. A washer in a busy household, or one shared by both units of a two-flat, runs through its cycles faster than one in a single-person home.
What wears out first
| Part | Typical sign of wear |
|---|---|
| Fill hoses | Bulges, cracks or rust at the fittings |
| Door boot seal (front-load) | Tears, mold that won't clean off, a drip at the bottom of the door |
| Drum bearings | A rumble or roar during spin that grows over weeks |
| Shock absorbers or suspension | Banging, or the tub knocking the cabinet during spin |
| Drain pump | Water left in the drum, a hum with no draining |
| Lid or door lock | The washer won't start or stops before spin |
| Drive belt or coupling (some top-loaders) | The motor runs but the tub doesn't agitate or spin |
What shortens its life
- •Overloading. Maytag says to avoid overloading the washer or you may hear thumping or banging, and that strain lands on the bearings and suspension.
- •A machine that isn't level. Maytag notes that rattling or vibrating is often a sign the washer isn't sitting level.
- •Too much detergent, which leaves residue in the door boot, the dispenser and the tub.
- •A front-loader closed up wet between loads, which encourages mold in the door seal.
- •Hoses left in service long after the manufacturer's replacement interval.
- •A basement or garage that drops below freezing with water left in the hoses and pump.
What helps it last
- •Load within the manual's capacity, and split very large loads.
- •Level the washer and recheck it after moving it.
- •Use the detergent type and amount your manual specifies.
- •Leave a front-loader's door open to dry between uses; see front-load washer door seal wear.
- •Replace fill hoses on the manufacturer's schedule; see washer hose lifespan.
- •Run the cleaning cycle as the manual directs.
Signs of age vs. signs of a fixable fault
Aging usually shows up as gradual changes: a spin that gets louder over months, more vibration even on balanced loads, and seals and hoses that look tired. A rumble that grows steadily during spin is a classic sign of bearing wear, explained in washer drum bearing wear.
A failed part tends to make itself known all at once. The washer won't drain, won't start, won't lock, or leaks from one spot. Those problems often trace back to a pump, a lock, a hose or a clog, and they say little about the machine's overall age. Our washer service covers front- and top-loaders.
Sources
- •InterNACHI: Life Expectancy Chart for Homes
- •Speed Queen: Product Brochure (PDF)
- •Maytag: Why Is My Washing Machine Making Loud Noises?
Takeaway: Count a washer's age in loads rather than years; sensible load sizes, a level machine and fresh hoses push it toward the long end of its range.
Washer getting louder, leaking or stopping mid-cycle? Book a True Fix Chicago technician at (312) 896-8111.