Washing machines catching fire gets a lot of media attention, but the truth is that it’s extremely rare. With a few safety precautions, you’re very unlikely to have any issues.
Modern Machines Have Lots of Safety Features
Today’s washing machines, whether front or top loading, have tons of sensors and fail-safes to prevent fires. They monitor temperature, vibration, water levels, electrical shorts, and more to make sure nothing goes wrong.
So while you may see scary headlines, keep in mind that manufacturers have invested a lot in safety. The chance your new washer will have an electrical or mechanical failure leading to fire is very low.
Simple Maintenance Helps Avoid Problems
Doing basic care on your washer helps lower the risk even further. Simply cleaning the lint trap regularly, not overloading it, and letting it air out after cycles can prevent most printer issues.
Also, modern detergents and cleaning products are designed not to harm washers. So using mainstream products instead of anything homemade or extra strong also keeps your washer safe.
Look For Certifications
When buying a new washing machine, check that it’s certified by the major safety organizations like UL, ETL, or CSA. Certified appliances have undergone extensive testing to meet strict safety and quality benchmarks.
While not a guarantee, appliances with these seals of approval have to prove they can operate thousands of cycles without fault. So it’s added assurance that the chance of failure or fire is slim.
Trust Your Nose
The number one sign something may be going wrong is a burning smell. If you ever detect any odd smells from your washer, don’t ignore it! Unplug it immediately and have it serviced before using again. Strange odors mean something isn’t right.
So in summary, washer fires make headlines but are still extremely uncommon with today’s safety focused designs. Do basic maintenance, don’t ignore smells, and buy certified models for added peace of mind that your machine is safe.
References
UL Safety Certification: https://www.ul.com/services/safety-certification-appliances
Preventing Washing Machine Fires – Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/washing-machines/preventing-washing-machine-fires/
Front Load Washer Safety Tips – CNET https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/front-load-washer-safety-tips/
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.