Is It Worth Repairing a Seven Year Old Washing Machine? A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Right Decision
We get asked “Is it worth repairing a seven year old washing machine?” from time to time. Washing machines typically last 6-10 years
A washing machine breaking is always frustrating. You may turn it on and nothing happens. Your clothes may smell after you wash them. You may find water all over the floor in your laundry room
Whatever the fault, you have to weigh up the financial and environmental considerations when it comes to repairing vs replacing your washing machine
Read on to learn about the most important things to consider when deciding the solution
How Heavily Has The Washing Machine Been Used?
Washing machines, like cars, last longer if they’re used less
A couple using their machine once a week will get more years out of their machine than a large family who have to wash multiple loads of laundry per week.
More wear and tear will happen if the machine is used to clean work clothes, which are sometimes better cleaned in commercial machines
What's Gone Wrong With The Washing Machine?
Some faults are cheap and easy to fix, such as:
- Clogged drain hose – turn the machine off, physically unclog the hose and make sure it’s not kinked
- Jammed lock – turn the machine on and off, and run another cycle to get the clothes out of the way
- Mould causing a bad smell – clean with vinegar and baking soda
- Washing machine jumps around – check all legs are the same length and on a flat surface
These are things that likely won’t happen again as long as good maintenance practices are followed. If you have a good machine that’s old but hasn’t been used much, it may well be worth repairing these faults
The following faults can be more difficult to fix, and it will be important to consider other factors before deciding whether or not to repair the machine (see below):
- The drum has stopped spinning
- It won’t fill with water
- It won’t power on
- Water is leaking out
How Much Was Your Washing Machine, And What Will a New One Cost?
Check the receipt, or look on Google. More expensive washing machines often last longer, so it may be more worth repairing a high-end model
They are also more likely to be covered by a warranty, in which case you should definitely get your machine repaired
It is always worth checking the price of a new machine as well. You may find that your needs have changed, and you can save money by using a lower capacity model. You may also be able to offset the cost of a new machine by buying one with a better energy or water star rating than your current one
Let's Do The Maths
In general, if it will cost more than about 50% of the cost of a new washing machine to fix your current one, it’s not worth it.
This percentage may be lower for the following reasons:
- It’s a cheap washing machine
- The washing machine is more than 8-9 years old
- The machine is very energy inefficient
- The machine is much larger than you need it to be
- The machine has been used very heavily, i.e. more than 3-4 loads per week
What Do I Do While My Washing Machine Is Broken?
This is an easy one! Use our efficient, affordable and professional wash and fold service. We can take care of all of your laundry needs while your machine is out of action
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