Most of us use a washing machine almost every day without giving its safety much thought. We toss in our dirty clothes, add some detergent, turn it on, and don’t worry about whether our washer might explode!
Fortunately, the risk of a modern washing machine exploding is extremely low. With some basic care and maintenance, your washer should provide years of safe, reliable service.
Why Do Washers Sometimes Explode?
Washing machines are complex appliances with many mechanical and electrical components working together during the wash cycle. On very rare occasions, issues like these can cause an explosion:
- Buildup of flammable gases – if the washer isn’t properly ventilated, gases released by detergents could theoretically ignite.
- Overheating – if components like the motor, pump or wiring overheat, sparks or flames could result.
- Too much pressure – excessive pressure could cause the washer drum, tub or hoses to rupture explosively.
So while the chance of your machine exploding is very tiny, it’s good to understand why it might happen in unlikely scenarios.
Tips to Prevent Washer Explosions
You can practically eliminate any slight risk of your washing machine blowing up by following these simple guidelines:
- Don’t overload the drum – overstuffing can cause friction and overheating. Follow load size recommendations.
- Clean the lint trap – clean it before each load to prevent fire risks from lint buildup.
- Use proper hoses – inspect fill hoses regularly for cracks and use high-quality reinforced hoses.
- Ensure adequate ventilation – don’t tightly enclose the washer, leave some air flow around it.
- Unplug when not in use – especially if you’ll be away from home for an extended time.
Warning Signs of Possible Risk
Along with preventive care, also watch for any of these warning signs which might indicate an increased explosion risk:
- Excessive vibrating, rattling or noisy operation
- Smelling burning rubber or plastic
- Unusual smells from detergent buildup
- Leaking water, hot or sudsy
- Components or housing feeling excessively hot
- Smoke coming from vents
If you notice any of those issues, stop using the machine immediately and contact an appliance repair technician to have it inspected for safety.
New Washers Are Very Safe
It’s also comforting to know that new washing machines have more safety mechanisms than older designs. Engineers have worked diligently over the years to add numerous safeguards. Modern washers typically include pressure switches, temperature sensors, balance detectors and overflow protections making explosions virtually impossible.
While extremely uncommon, it is wise to understand why and how washing machines might explode. But following good usage and maintenance habits minimizes any negligible inherent risks. So take simple precautions, yet rest easy knowing your washer is highly unlikely to catch fire or blow its top!
References
Penn State College of Engineering. “Ask an Engineer: What Causes a Washing Machine to Explode?” https://www.eecs.psu.edu/news/ask-engineer-what-causes-washing-machine-explode
T adjusting. “Can a Washing Machine Explode and What Causes It?” https://www.tapintadjusting.com.au/can-a-washing-machine-explode-and-what-causes-it/
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.