The anatomy of a washing machine with a cutaway illustration of its parts
There are a few variations in clothes washers—some load from the top and others load from the front—but all washing machines are basically big tubs that fill up with water, agitate to scrub clothes, and spin to wring out the water.
Of course, in addition to these basic functions, they may have any number of sophisticated settings including water temperature controls, steam options, and electronic timers.
When buying a new washing machine, pay close attention to the warranty. Be clear about both the term and the extent of the coverage. You’ll have to read some fine print, but it will be well worth it if anything goes wrong.
Also be aware that some washing machines are simply easier to work on than others. For servicing, some new types have a cabinet that is easy to detach and lift off for easy access to the parts.
There are a number of problems you can fix quite simply, but washers have a variety of devices that, when they go wrong, are best left in the hands of a qualified repair person.
