Purchase washing machine- expensive pleasure. Everyone wants their new equipment to last as long as possible. That is why it is important to pay attention to such an important indicator as the service life of the washing machine. Repair technicians and washing machine users themselves say: some units last 5–7 years, others more than 10. In the article we’ll talk about the service life of the machines. different manufacturers and how to extend the life of a domestic helper.

Standards according to GOST

SMA is a household appliance that must comply with certain rules and standards in force in the country.

In accordance with the standards (GOST 8051-83), the average service life of the SMA should not be less than fifteen years or seven hundred hours of operation. That's quite a lot! But this is according to Soviet-era documentation.

Not all washing machine manufacturers offer such durable equipment for sale. Most units do not meet the deadlines established by GOST and break down prematurely. There are a lot of reasons for this. Let's take a closer look at the main ones.

The manufacturer matters

Each person has his own opinion on this matter. Some consumers are confident that any automatic washing machine lasts 7–10 years. The brand and manufacturer do not matter. Others directly link the shelf life and operating time of the device to the brand.

• Miele. The most reliable units made in Germany. They can boast of reliability and durability. A long warranty period is their main trump card. With proper and careful use they last more than 20 years. The operating time declared by the manufacturer is 10 thousand hours. They break extremely rarely. The main disadvantage is the high price. Miele washing machines are premium products.
• "Asko", "Electrolux", AEG. Very reliable devices made in Austria or Switzerland. The average period of trouble-free operation is 12–20 years. They cost an order of magnitude cheaper than the Miele ones described above.
• "Bosch", Siemens, Hansa. Third place in the ranking. Devices from France and Germany with average performance from 10 to 15 years. Compliant European standards quality.
• LG, Ariston, Samsung, Ardo, Indesit. Units assembled in Korea and Italy, designed to operate for 8–10 years.
• "Beko", LG, "Samsung" made in China. They operate for no more than 5–6 years without breakdowns or problems.
• “Zanussi”, “Kandy”, “Vestel” are the most short-lived devices. Place of assembly - Russia. Up to 50% of users turn to washing machine repair services within the first 3 years after purchase. Sometimes, when assembling Russian-made SMAs, branded parts are used. In this case, the operating time of the machines is longer - up to 5 years.

Other significant factors

How many years an automatic machine lasts depends not only on the manufacturer, but also on other factors. Even the most expensive branded SMAs sometimes unexpectedly fail and break down.

The period of uninterrupted operation of the unit depends on:

• Build quality, main units, parts and components. Well-known manufacturers value their reputation and pay due attention to quality, using only original parts.

Electric motors operate the longest in modern automatic machines. Pumps, shock absorbers, heating elements fail much faster.

Some unscrupulous manufacturers deliberately assemble cars from non-original, low-quality parts. The cost of such SMAs is reduced. This attracts buyers. However, poor quality causes breakdowns. As a result, the consumer is forced to frequently replace broken equipment with new ones. The manufacturer is happy with constantly growing sales and sees no reason to improve quality.

Good example. On sale you can find washing machines of the Bosch or Siemens brand, assembled in Russia or China. They are inexpensive. However, when buying equipment at a very attractive price, you should not count on the notorious German quality. In times of crisis, more and more buyers are paying attention to the price rather than the quality of the equipment itself.

• Operating conditions. The more often the device is used, the faster it will exhaust its resource. Hard water has a negative effect on service life. Do you save on special softeners? Be prepared for an early breakdown of the heating element. Foreign objects accidentally left in pockets can also damage the device. The lack of grounding and a protective relay against voltage surges in the network is fraught with burnout of many parts and expensive repairs.

Sometimes cars are transported without problems high voltage. Some models are susceptible to voltage surges and break down already at 230 V.

• Regularity of prevention. Periodic preventative maintenance (replacing filters, cleaning heating elements from scale, etc.) extends the trouble-free operation of equipment. If you carry them out from time to time, the machine is unlikely to work for the period stated by the manufacturer.

To make your washing machine last longer

A washing machine from any manufacturer or brand can have its service life extended by a couple of years. To do this, follow these recommendations:

• Do not forget to unplug the device from the outlet after each wash. This way you will protect your equipment from power surges and breakdowns.
• Wash the machine after each cycle and wipe dry. Leave the laundry hatch and powder container open to dry. The fungus does not settle on dry, clean surfaces.
• Strictly follow the manufacturer's basic operating recommendations.
• Always drain remaining water through the drain hose to avoid stagnation and unpleasant odors.
• Carry out a preventative wash a couple of times a month with citric acid. You often wash on high temperatures? Prevention will be required no more often than once every 2 months.
• If your tap water is very hard, don't forget to add a softener.
• Clean or change the main filters at least once a year.
• When making repairs, use only original spare parts.

Household appliance repair technicians know cases where, with careful care, washing machines served their owners for 20 or even 30 years.

Every buyer wants the washing machine they purchase to last as long as possible. Although the service life of automatic washing machines is determined by the manufacturers, it also depends on many other factors. Therefore, it is almost impossible to say exactly how long a particular model will last.

Another stubborn fact adds chaos to the statistics on the service life of automatic washing machines - sometimes good and expensive models last for literally several years, while their cheap counterparts, assembled by someone unknown and from unknown sources, last for one and a half to two decades. What does the service life of the device depend on and what do manufacturers say about it?

The average service life of a washing machine, according to harsh statistics, is approximately 10 years. All this time, the machine will successfully wash clothes, pleasing with a minimum of breakdowns. But at the end of its service life, the number of malfunctions will begin to grow steadily. The most durable component is the electric motor; it can last a very long time.

As for heating elements, tank mounts, control modules, their safety margin is lower - there is a high probability that during the entire service life one of these components will definitely fail. Another element that is not the most resistant is the drain pump, which often becomes clogged and damaged by random foreign objects.

The theoretical service life of modern automatic washing machines varies from 7 to 10 years. This period is specified in the technical passports - just open and familiarize yourself with this parameter. But the service life is calculated only in theory, based on verification experiments carried out in the manufacturer’s laboratories. As for operation in real conditions, it can either increase or decrease the final service life. And we must not forget about possible marriage!

So, in theory, we get from 7 to 10 years of almost flawless service. What does practical operation tell us? In practice, users and experts note serious dependence of service life on the selected manufacturer. For example, European and Italian models last up to 15-20 years, while their Korean counterparts can boast a more modest 8-15 years. The worst result for cheap Chinese models is up to 5 years.

Why don't manufacturers make their equipment last much longer? The whole point is that they need to make money., constantly offering consumers new models. And if the equipment lasts a long time, then it will not need updating, which reduces the income of manufacturers in the long term.

In addition, in practice, the service life of automatic washing machines can be reduced due to user actions, which often do not meet any requirements. For example, some users overload the drums with laundry, because of which the fastening of the tanks suffers and the load on the engine increases significantly. And some individuals never check the contents of their pockets, which often leads to foreign objects getting into the tank, causing breakdowns.

Small objects can damage the washing machine tank, the repair of which will cost a pretty penny. Or lead to replacement of the rubber cuff, which may tear due to the presence of these small objects.

The machine is also influenced by factors that are weakly dependent on the users. For example, this includes the quality of water supplied to the machine - we have practically no opportunity to significantly improve its performance. As a result, the inside of the machine becomes covered with scale or suffers from aggressive salts - the service life of the device is reduced.

What can we conclude?

• You need to choose equipment from well-known brands;
• You can’t skimp on the manufacturer;
• The equipment must be provided with acceptable operating conditions.

Knowing that the average lifespan of a washing machine is about 10 years, we can try increase this period due to the following actions:

• Thorough check of loaded laundry;
• Choosing a good washing powder;
• Installation of water filters;
• Weight control of loaded laundry;
• Moderately intensive use.
• If possible, then use a special cover for the washing machine, which will protect it from external moisture.

By following these simple steps, we will extend the life of the automatic washing machine and save money on the purchase of a new device.

According to GOST 8051-83, concerning household washing machines, their average service life should be from twelve to fifteen years - or up to seven hundred hours of operation. However, as practice shows, most washing machines operate no more than seven to ten years in frequent use. A series of tests, during which certain models of washing machines worked around the clock for eight months, it was found that the most “tenacious” part of these units is the engine.

The service life of a washing machine usually depends on the quality of its assembly and parts, which can only be guaranteed by well-known companies with a good reputation.

On average, the engine of a standard washing machine can withstand three and a half thousand washes or ten years of operation. Most often, the heating elements of the machine fail, electronic components controls, as well as pumps that wear out or become clogged with foreign objects. In addition, the service life of a washing machine largely depends on the intensity of its use, the quality of tap water and washing powders.

Average statistics: how much and for how long

Automatic washing machines made by German, Italian and other European manufacturers have the longest service life. They are able to serve the owner faithfully for ten to twenty years. Korean products of average quality will last from ten to fifteen years, while Chinese or Turkish washing machines will most likely need to be replaced after five years.

All of the above periods are statistical averages and also depend on operating conditions and compliance with the rules for handling the unit.

Most manufacturers deliberately do not provide their washing machines with a large safety margin, since this is unprofitable for business. A long service life will allow the consumer not to purchase new household appliances, thereby depriving the manufacturer of a permanent income. It should be remembered that the quality of the assembly rarely depends on the place of assembly - but the quality of the parts used plays a very large role in the life expectancy of the washing machine. If the unit has worked for seven years without breakdowns, it means that its manufacturer is conscientious and in the event of a breakdown, you can turn to him for new equipment.

Using automatic washing machines in everyday life is not a complicated process at first glance, but at the same time there are some details that can be taken into account to achieve better washing results and extend the life of the washing machine. Here are some washing machine maintenance rules.

Electrical connection

Try through adapters and splitters. If there are not enough sockets or they do not comply with the Euro standard, it is better to replace the socket before using the washing machine than to change the electronic modules in the machine later. If the socket is far from the washing machine, connect fixed wiring to the machine, because you will wash not just a few times, but at least several years. If you still cannot do without an electrical extension cord, use a high-quality euro extension cord with a rated current of at least 16 A, although many manufacturers prohibit their use when operating washing machines.

Turning on the washing machine for the first time

Read your washing machine carefully.
Before turning on the washing machine, make sure that the water supply is clean and free of sand, rust, etc.
Before using the washing machine to clean it, perform the first wash with an empty drum without powder on the program for coarse fabrics at a temperature of 90°C.

Loading the washing machine

Load the machine in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and you will receive best quality washing. For washing various types fabrics, try to use the most suitable programs and load the optimal amount of fabrics. For example, for a machine with a maximum load of 5 kg. when washing synthetics - no more than 2.5 kg. wool - 1 kg. The service life of the washing machine before replacing the bearings will increase significantly.

It is not advisable to wash one thing, for example, a large blanket. The point is that, although large, one item will not be distributed evenly throughout the drum, but will clump together, and the washing machine will either not perform the spin function at all, or will perform it at lower speeds. So always try to download some of things. When choosing a washing program and temperature, read the product label. Perhaps the items you are loading cannot be washed in the washing machine at all.

What is possible and what is not

To wash in automatic washing machines, follow the operating instructions and use only automatic washing powders. The composition of such powders includes substances that prevent excessive foaming. For washing different types fabrics, use different powders. Pay attention to the presence of special water softening additives in the powder. This will help you save on various “calgons”.
When operating a washing machine, perform “prevention” - run the empty machine in boiling water descaling agent in washing machines. A “folk” remedy is to put the empty unit on the “boiling” mode with the addition of 0.5 liters of table vinegar. This will to some extent clear the heater of the machine from.
Try not to wash unwashed items. The threads that come out of them during washing will definitely get wrapped up (they simply have nowhere else to go) and it will fail even faster than due to scale.
Check your pockets carefully for nails, pins, clips, etc. Fasten clothes with zippers and turn them inside out, although even in this case, damage to the fabrics and the washing machine door seal is possible.
When operating the washing machine, do not allow water to come into contact with it. The service life of Indesit washing machines is 10 years, but it can be significantly reduced due to corrosion of the body, which will certainly occur if it is periodically “accidentally” watered with water from the shower.

How to clean a washing machine

The machine must be cleaned regularly. External surfaces of the machine, parts
made of plastic and rubber should only be wiped with a damp soft cloth. After each wash, it is recommended to wipe the seal along the contour with a dry soft cloth. Carefully remove any accumulated dirt from the door seal.

Do not use chemicals, abrasives, alcohol, gasoline or other solvents to clean the machine. remove from the machine and wash after 2-3 washes.
A mesh filter is installed in the connection pipe for connecting the water supply hose. If the water pressure decreases when washing off the powder, remove the mesh and rinse under running water.
At the bottom of the washing machine there is a filter that prevents lint, threads, and small objects (buttons, paper clips, coins, etc.) from entering the drain pump during operation of the machine.
To avoid damage to the pump, clean the filter from clogging once every six months.
By fulfilling all these simple requirements, you will get rid of troubles when operating the washing machine.

The washing machine has long been firmly established in everyday use. modern man. The benefits of the purchase are obvious: washing happens quickly, less water is wasted, and in addition, in the end you get clean, almost dry laundry.

Below we will try to figure out how long it can last, what it depends on washing machine service life, how to increase it and what to do if the machine nevertheless becomes unusable.

According to existing statistics, Chinese-made machines last on average from three to five years, Korean and Italian-made washing machines last from five to eight years, and German representatives of the segment last from 10 to 15 years. Machines produced in Austria and Sweden are rightly recognized as “long-livers”, because their service life is a record 15-20 years.

What determines the service life of a washing machine?

It seems that the more expensive the washing machine model, the longer it will last. However, the operating time of the equipment is influenced by many factors, such as:

There are manufacturers that are distinguished by the increased reliability of their equipment, and among them are Miele, Electrolux, and AEG. However, such machines are significantly more expensive, and in addition, there are their “back-ups” - Indesit and Zanussi, LG, others - which work just as reliably, but cost one and a half to two times less.

You can determine which of the models will be the best by the combination of all components, and not just by the “big” name and high price. Thus, in Russia, automatic machines from Samsung and LG have proven themselves to be excellent, which are assembled in our factories and have a full range of consumer qualities, including, of course, reliability and durability.

How to increase the service life of a washing machine

Washing machine service life on average is at least ten years, but if certain requirements are met, it can be significantly extended:

Disposal of washing machines

And yet, every washing machine sooner or later becomes outdated and breaks down, and then the issue of its disposal becomes relevant. “Takeaway” will quickly free your apartment from broken equipment, carrying out dismantling, followed by removal of non-working or outdated equipment, saving you from problems.