11 Ways You're Damaging Your Washer and Dryer Every Time You Do Laundry

Refer to this list before you do your laundry again.

Two of the hardest working appliances in your home are the washer and dryer—and they're often taken for granted. We pile in dirty or wet laundry, add detergent or dryer sheets, turn them on and only pay them attention if they don't work. However, some of your regular laundry habits may be damaging the lifespan of your washer and dryer. So, we put together a list of bad habits and explained how they could be hurting your appliances. Here's exactly what you should avoid the next time you do the laundry .

Meet the Experts

• Nicholas Webert , executive director, Head of CE CARE and Field Services at Samsung and Dacor
• Jessica Petrino , educator and appliance expert at AJ Madison

Leaving Zippers Open and Pockets Full

"Unless you enjoy a visit from a service technician, you should empty pockets, zip zippers, and fasten buckles [before putting clothing in the washer]," says Nicholas Webert of Samsung. Items left in pockets and metal fasteners can damage the door seal, scratch the drum, break impeller blades, or become lodged in the drain pump of a washer.

Pocket treasures, like crayons, lip balm, gum, and pens, can melt in the dryer and leave a mess on the drum and the rest of the laundry load.

Using Too Much Detergent and Fabric Softener

Both Webert and Jessica Petrino of AJ Madison agree that using too much detergent can shorten the lifespan of your washer. Excess detergent or fabric softener leaves a build-up in the washer that deteriorates seals and gaskets. The excess also traps dirt and body soil which are the perfect food for mold and mildew growth. Petrino adds that the excess use of laundry products leaves clothes feeling sticky and less clean due to redeposited soil.

Never Cleaning a Washing Machine

When was the last time you cleaned your washer? Whether you have a top-loading or front-loading washer , it should be cleaned at least monthly to get rid of soil and laundry product build-up. If you live in a hot, humid area or wash heavily soiled clothes often, clean the washer twice a month.

Using Dryer Sheets

" Dryer sheets give off a coating while in use, resulting in build-up on the lint filter," Webert says. "When this happens, your drying performance will decrease, and may even trigger a vent blockage warning." He suggests using wool dryer balls instead. If you choose to use dryer sheets, do not use more than the package recommends, and remove the lint filter often for a thorough cleaning with hot water and a scrub brush so that air can properly pass through the filter.

Not Emptying Dryer Lint

If your habit is to pretend there is no lint filter on your dryer, then you are setting yourself up for an overheated motor, or worse, a fire in your laundry room. The dryer lint filter should be emptied after every laundry load. Even a thin coating of lint puts more stress on the dryer.

Ignoring the Dryer Vent System

Unless you have an unvented dryer, there is a conduit that connects the dryer in your laundry room to an outside vent. The metal or plastic connector and the outside vent can become clogged with damp lint and debris. Petrino adds that clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of house fires in the United States. The dryer vent system should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year.

Ignoring Washer Water Lines

You'll save a disaster and prevent leaks if you take the time to inspect the water line hoses behind your washer at least twice a year. The water in the hoses is under pressure at all times unless you turn off the water valve. Pressure can cause weaknesses that rupture, especially in plastic or rubber lines. Turn off the water valve, disconnect the lines, and drain them into a bucket. Inspect for cracks and flush out any debris to protect the water pump system in your washer.

Overloading Appliances

Petrino and Webert warn against overloading a washer with dirty laundry due to the stain it puts on the motor, belts, and bearings. Petrino adds that overloading the dryer can reduce airflow and cause the dryer to overheat.

Not Providing Ventilation

Washers and dryer motors generate heat while they operate. Proper ventilation around every side of the appliances is essential to prevent the strain of overheating motors.

Not Leveling the Appliances

Whether you do it yourself or a technician installs a new washer or dryer, Petrino says it's important to make sure the shipping bolts are removed from the bottom of the washer and the adjustable legs are level. This is especially important in basements and older homes with unlevel floors. Webert adds that overloading a washer can cause an imbalance within the drum and cause excessive wear to the bearings and a wet mess of improperly spun clothes. Balanced washers and dryers are safer, less noisy, and offer better performance.

Closing the Washer Door or Lid

The interior of a washing machine is warm, wet, and dark; the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. You "feed the problem" each time you leave wet laundry in the drum or close the lid or door while the washer drum is still damp. Petrino recommends keeping the door or lid open after every washer cycle until the excess moisture evaporates.

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