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Being woken from an afternoon nap by the sound of your washing machine walking around the kitchen, perhaps knocking something over, can quickly turn a decent day into a bit of a nightmare.
Why on earth does the washer even feel the need to get up and take a walk is beyond most of us, I’m quite sure. If yours has this somewhat tedious habit too, here is how you can stop your washing machine from walking, and thus keep it from disrupting an otherwise relaxing time at home.
How to Stop a Washing Machine From Walking
To stop a washing machine from walking, all you need to do is make sure it is completely level. You can also add a non-slip mat or rubber feet pads under its feet. Finally, make sure to balance out every load of washing before you turn the washer on.
Check for Transit Bolts
If you notice your washing machine is walking, first check that no transit bolts have been left attached to its back. These safety bolts protect the washer from damage during transport, but they should be removed before you use it for the first time. If you’ve inadvertently left one on, it could be the cause of the shaking and moving.
Check Everything is Level
You should then also check if the washer has been levelled properly. A simple level is all you need. If the washer is out of balance, the drum will probably be out of balance too, and you will need to re-adjust it.
Misaligned feet can also be the cause of the walking. You can again use your level to determine which the offending foot is, and lift the machine to adjust it. Do please bear in mind that you will need an extra pair of hands to help you, and never try to lift a washing machine on your own.
Use a Non-Slip Mat
Once you have made sure everything is perfectly level, you can also place a non-slip rubber mat under the washer. Make sure all of its feet are placed firmly on the mat, and that you have not whacked the washer out of level while placing it.
You will likely need to buy a mat that is bigger than you actually need, and trim it down to size a bit. You can choose a colour that matches the washer, or one that will hide a lot of the dirt that is likely to accumulate on it over time.
This solution will work especially well if your washing machine is placed on an uneven floor, or if the tiles you are placing it on are not perfectly level themselves.
Use Anti-Vibration Feet Pads
If you don’t like the idea of a mat, you can also get some small rubber pads that you will then attach to the feet. They are much more aesthetically pleasing, and you also won’t have to worry about dirt piling up on your mat, which you will then have to clean.
Feet pads will come in all kinds of colours, so you can match them to the washer itself.
When attaching them, make sure the washer is level, and slowly lift each side as you place the pads in place. You can use some double-sided tape to make sure they stay exactly where you have placed them as well, and ensure the vibrations are completely minimised.
Use a Washing Machine Stand
You can also use a washing machine stand to fix your walking and wobbling washer. The stand will elevate your machine, and its rubber mats will reduce vibration and keep it in place.
It is a simple and durable solution, but you may have a hard time finding one you like and that also fits your washer perfectly. This is also the most expensive solution on this list, so something else to bear in mind.
Balance Out Your Loads
Finally, you want to ensure that each of your loads is balanced. This will mean washing large and heavy items with other large and heavy items, as opposed to a lot of smaller ones that will mess up the weight distribution in the machine.
This will also help you preserve your clothes, and make sure no sensitive item are damaged in the wash.
What is a Walking Washing Machine?
A walking washing machine is one that shakes and moves around during a cycle. Walking is usually accompanied by rattling or loud banding, as the wet clothes slam against the sides of the drum.
You will easily recognise a walking machine, as it will quite literally be walking around in your kitchen or utility, and you’ll often find it has ended its walk surprisingly far from its starting position.
Why Does a Washing Machine Move or Shake?
Washing machines will move, shake and walk when their drum or their feet are not level, when they are not placed on level ground, or when they are loaded with heavy, imbalanced loads.
Most often, a washer will walk because it has not been loaded correctly, and the load is imbalanced. If one side of the washer is heavier than the other and the weight of the wet clothing is not distributed evenly, there will be some serious wobbling.
You may also have inadvertently let the drum slip out of alignment while you were moving the washer, or doing some repairs on the appliance yourself.
When a washer’s feet aren’t level on the ground, it will find it very easy to walk around during a cycle, so you will want to check them too.
Can You Bolt a Washing Machine to the Floor?
While you can bolt a washing machine to the floor, you should refrain from doing so. Even if the machine can’t walk around, it will still make a lot of noise.
Instead of bolting your machine down, try one of the solutions I’ve outlined above to stop it from walking and moving about.
Wrapping It Up
If you catch your washing machine taking a walk around your kitchen or utility room, fret not: there are some simple remedies you can try to steady it, and reduce the level of noise it makes during a cycle. If one fails, try another one, and you’ll soon have a less noisy and much more still washer on your hands.