FixItFirst

 There's a specific kind of dread that comes with a washing machine that suddenly starts banging, grinding, or shaking like it's about to walk itself across the room. Before you assume the worst, know that loud noises are one of the most common washer complaints out there, and most causes are nowhere near as serious as they sound. Here's what's usually behind it, from the simplest fix to the ones that need a repair tech. 1. Unbalanced load This is the number one cause of loud banging or shaking, especially during the spin cycle. One heavy item — a comforter, a pair of sneakers, a single towel — thrown in alone will make the drum spin off-balance and slam against the housing. Stop the machine, redistribute the load evenly, and see if the noise goes away. 2. Machine isn't level Washing machines have adjustable feet for a reason: even a slight tilt amplifies vibration dramatically. Check by gently pushing each corner of the machine to see if it rocks. If it does, ...

 Finding a puddle under your washing machine is never a fun surprise, especially with water pooling that close to an electrical appliance. The good news is that leaks almost always come down to one of a handful of usual suspects, and most of them are a quick, free fix once you know where to look. Here are the 7 most common causes, starting with the easiest to check. 1. Door seal (gasket) is torn or dirty On front-loading machines, the rubber gasket around the door is the number one leak source by far. Gunk builds up in the folds over time, and small tears can develop after years of use. Run your hand around the entire seal, feeling for rips, and check for any spot where it's pulling away from the drum. 2. Overloading the machine Stuff the drum past its recommended capacity and water can splash right past the seal during the wash, simply because there's nowhere else for it to go. Try a smaller load next time and see if the leak disappears. 3. Too much detergent, or the wro...

Washing Machine Not Spinning? 8 Things to Check Before Calling a Repairman If your washing machine finishes its cycle but the drum doesn't spin, don't assume that the machine needs to be replaced. In many cases, the cause can be something simple that you can check yourself. Here are some of the most common reasons why a washing machine won't spin and what you can do about them. 1. The washing machine is overloaded One of the simplest reasons a washing machine may not spin is an unbalanced or overloaded drum. Heavy items such as towels, blankets and bedding can move to one side of the drum during the cycle. When this happens, the washing machine may stop the spin cycle to prevent excessive vibration. Try removing some of the clothes and spreading the remaining items evenly around the drum. Then run a spin cycle again. 2. The drain filter is blocked If there is still water inside the drum, the washing machine may refuse to start the spin cycle. A blocked pump filter...

 You open your Bosch dishwasher after a cycle expecting clean, dry dishes, and instead there's a pool of dirty water sitting at the bottom. It's one of the most common dishwasher complaints out there, and the good news is that it's usually something you can sort out in about fifteen minutes, no tools required. Let's go through the usual causes, starting with the simplest. 1. Clogged filter This is the number one cause by a wide margin. Bosch dishwashers have a removable filter assembly at the bottom of the tub, underneath the lower spray arm — it's usually a cylindrical piece you twist to unlock. Food particles, labels from jars, and general grime build up in there over time, and once it's clogged enough, water simply can't drain through it. Pull it out, rinse it thoroughly under running water, and use an old toothbrush to get into the mesh if it's really caked on. 2. Something's blocking the drain pump area Underneath the filter, there's us...

 You open the fridge expecting cold milk and instead everything feels lukewarm, even though the light comes on and the display looks normal. It's one of the more stressful appliance problems out there — nobody wants to lose a fridge full of groceries — but before you start clearing everything out in a panic, let's walk through what's actually likely going on. 1. Condenser coils are covered in dust This is, hands down, the most common cause, especially if your Samsung fridge is more than a couple of years old and lives against a wall. The condenser coils (usually located behind the fridge or underneath, depending on the model) need airflow to release heat. When they're coated in dust and pet hair, the fridge has to work way harder to cool, and eventually it just can't keep up. Pull the fridge out, locate the coils, and vacuum them off with a brush attachment — you'd be surprised how much of a difference this makes. 2. Door isn't sealing properly If the ru...

 You walk into the laundry room and there it is — a puddle spreading out from under your Whirlpool washer. Your first instinct is probably to panic a little, especially with water this close to an electrical appliance. Take a breath: leaks are almost always traceable to one of a handful of spots, and most of them are a quick fix once you know where to look. Here's how to track it down, from the most common causes to the least. 1. Door seal (gasket) is torn or dirty On front-loading Whirlpool models, the rubber gasket around the door is the number one leak source. Over time it collects gunk in the folds, and small tears or gaps can develop from years of use. Run your hand around the entire seal, inside the folds, feeling for tears, and check for any spot where it's pulling away from the drum. A damaged gasket needs replacing, but a dirty one just needs a good clean with soap and water. 2. Overloading the machine If you're stuffing the drum past its recommended capacity, ...

There's nothing quite like opening your LG washer expecting clean laundry and instead finding a drum full of standing water. It's messy, it's frustrating, and it usually happens right when you're in a hurry. The good news? This is one of the most common issues LG owners run into, and most of the time it's an easy fix you can knock out yourself. Here's what's usually behind it, starting with the easiest checks first. 1. Clogged drain pump filter This is the number one cause, by far. LG front-loaders have a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine — usually behind a little flip-down door. Inside is a filter that traps coins, buttons, pet hair, tissues, you name it. Once it's packed full, water simply can't drain out. Pop it open (keep a towel and a shallow container nearby, because water will come out), pull the filter, and clean it out thoroughly. 2. Kinked or clogged drain hose If the filter's clear and you're still stuck, c...