When your washing machine starts squeaking, it can get irritating very quickly.
Most of the time, your washer will start to squeak because a part has worn down and will need to be replaced or serviced.
The problem with noisy washing machines is that the fault can be intermittent, meaning it doesn’t do it all the time. This makes it more difficult to diagnose the problem and correct it.
Let’s look into 5 reasons that your washing machine is squeaking.
1. The door seal is rubbing on the door
If your machine seems to be squeaking when the drum is turning, it might be because the rubber door seal is catching on the door glass.
This is fairly common on new washing machines and with door seals that have recently been replaced.
A handy tip to stop the door seal from squeaking during a wash cycle is to rub some fabric conditioner along the bottom of the seal so that it stops the seal from catching.
If you find that you can’t get rid of the squeaking by lubricating the seal, then you might have a defective door seal that will need to be replaced with a new one.
Keeping on top of cleaning and maintenance is important for a washing machine and cleaning the door seal can help to stop squeaking and squealing noises.
2. The drum support springs are worn
The drum support springs hold the drum up onto the cabinet of the machine. If you remove the lid, you will be able to see both of the springs on either side of the drum.
When a washing machine is new, drum support springs generally don’t cause any squeaking.
After years of use and if your machine has had to deal with overloading, the drum support springs might have worn down.
The springs can overstretch and expand which causes squeaking. This is more obvious when you compare new springs to the old ones.
You might notice that the springs might have rusted, which is a sign that your machine has been leaking.
Usually, you should be able to replace the drum springs for less than £30 for most brands.
You might even be able to salvage the old springs by using grease or a lubricant to ease the noise. When a washing machine is new, the springs will typically come with lubricating grease which lasts a few years.
3. The shock absorbers need to be replaced
The shock absorbers, otherwise known as the drum suspension legs are located at the bottom of the machine and hold the drum in place.
Most machines have 2 shock absorbers, although some have 3. They can wear down over time and lose the lubricant that they are supplied with.
Similar to the drum suspension springs, you can regrease the suspension legs which settles the noise down.
Getting to the shock absorbers can be difficult, but it’s much easier if you lean the machine back or in some cases turn the machine upside down.
You have to be careful if you plan to turn the machine upside down because you can damage the other parts at the top of the machine.
If you’re interested in replacing the shock absorbers, you can usually buy a set for your machine online for an economical price. Fitting them is usually a little more difficult though.
If your machine seems like it has bearing failure, then it’s always a good idea to replace things like the suspension legs and the door seal to help keep on top of maintenance and avoid further faults in the future.
If you are unsure if your machine needs new shock absorbers, you can push the drum up and down and listen out for any unusual noises or squeaks.
4. High water pressure
Believe it or not, having high water pressure can actually cause your washing machine to squeak.
You have probably heard the noise at one time or another, when the machine is filling up with water and comes to a stop, a loud high-pitched squeak can be heard.
If you think the water pressure is too high for your washing machine, you can usually adjust it at the water supply tap.
To find the water supply tap, follow the fill hose all the way to where it connects at the end. You’re looking for an adjustable tap with a blue cap on the top.
You should try different levels of pressure by slowly twisting the tap as the machine is filling so that the pressure is not too high but also, you’re not starving the machine of water.
If you’re struggling to deal with the water pressure in your home, it might be a good idea to get a plumber to help you.
5. The washing machine is new
It’s perfectly normal for a new washing machine to squeak when it’s been installed.
This is because some of the new parts need to wear in slightly, such as the door seal, springs and any other moving parts.
The drum is also likely to make a few strange noises for the first 5 – 10 wash cycles.
It’s really important that you have removed the transit bolts from the back of the machine because this can cause serious long term damage to your machine if you don’t.
When you run a washing machine with the transit bolts still in the drum, you risk damaging the drum because it doesn’t have the flexibility it needs to spin.
It might help to lubricate some of the moving parts if you’re finding it difficult to put up with the noise. As mentioned earlier, lubricating the door seal before use can help reduce some of the squeaking noises that you hear.
