Is it worth repairing a washing machine?

Repair a washer when the fix is a small, cheap part and the machine is otherwise sound; replace it when the repair quote gets close to the price of a comparable new machine, or the washer is old and failing in more than one way. The quote and the machine's age and history decide it, not a single rule of thumb.

Fixes that are nearly always worth doing

Some faults are small and worth fixing on almost any washer:

• Smells and residue. These are cleaning jobs. See how to clean a front-load washer that smells. Whirlpool lists HE detergent, a monthly Clean Washer cycle and a clean dispenser as the first things to do.^[2]
• Old inlet hoses. Replace inlet hoses after 5 years of use to reduce the risk of hose failure, and replace them sooner if you find bulges, kinks, cuts, wear or leaks.^[3] A new pair costs little against the water damage a burst hose can cause.
• A washer that will not drain. Often a clogged filter, a kinked hose or a blocked standpipe.
• Excess suds or poor rinsing. Using non-HE detergent or more than the manufacturer's recommended amount of detergent can cause excessive suds, which can lead to the washer leaking, draining concerns, and/or poor rinsing performance.^[2]

Signs it is time to replace

Replacement tends to win when:

• The quote is close to the price of a new washer. Set the written repair quote beside a comparable new model. The nearer they are, the weaker the case for repair.
• The drum, bearings or main control board have failed. These are the most expensive repairs, and on an older machine another part is often close behind.
• The washer has needed repeated repairs. A second or third fault in a short time usually means more are coming.
• Parts are hard to get. Waiting weeks for a part for an old model leaves you without a washer and risks a bill for a repair that does not last.
• It leaks from the tub or drum. Leaks inside the machine are seldom a cheap fix.

What a new washer can save you

A newer washer is not only about avoiding repairs. ENERGY STAR says certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers.^[1] It adds that models that have earned the ENERGY STAR can save about $530 in energy costs over the lifetime of the product.^[1] Full-sized certified washers use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine.^[1]

Front-load design matters too: ENERGY STAR certified front load washers use about 50% less energy and water than a top load agitator washer.^[1] Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer, so washing in cold water saves the most whichever machine you own.^[1] If your washer is old and inefficient, those savings tip a borderline repair toward replacement. If it is a recent, efficient model with a small fault, they matter less.

Check these before you decide

1. Warranty. A washer still covered may be repaired or replaced at no cost, so check the maker's terms and your receipt first.
2. A written quote. The Virginia Board for Contractors advises getting at least three written bids or estimates so you can compare, and not automatically accepting the lowest.^[4] The advice is written for home projects, but it applies to an appliance repair too.
3. What the quote covers. The fault, the part, the labor, any visit fee and any warranty on the work.
4. The old washer. If you replace it, see how to dispose of an old washer and dryer.

Stop and call a pro if

• Water is leaking from inside the machine or pooling around it. Turn off the supply valves, unplug the washer and call for service.
• There is a burning smell, smoke or sparking. Unplug the washer if you can do so safely and call a technician.
• Replacing the washer would mean new plumbing or wiring. In Virginia no individual may engage in, or offer to engage in, work as a tradesman unless licensed,^[5] and the trades are electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.^[6] Check the license on the DPOR website first.

Getting help in Virginia

Read what a washer repair costs, browse appliance repair answers, or see washer repair pros on Loclis.

When you want a diagnosis and a written quote, describe the problem and local repair pros will respond.