Overloading the Washing Machine With Heavy Items

This is one of the most common and expensive appliance mistakes. It often results in a worn out rear bearing or a broken spider bracket. When that happens, you’ll need a new washer. It’s a $700 to $1,500 mistake.

To prevent it:

• Avoid washing bathroom mats. They absorb too much water, and the weight stresses the motor.
• Avoid washing weighted blankets. They destroy your washer faster than any other item.
• Avoid washing rugs, dog blankets, sleeping bags, comforters and all other bulky items. Like mats and weighted blankets, they’re heavy when wet and will quickly cause trouble.

Not Cleaning the Dryer Vent

This mistake can be catastrophically costly, because it can cause a dryer fire.

When dryer vents become clogged with lint, the heated air can’t escape. If the dryer gets too hot, it blows a device called the “hi-limit,” which acts like a fuse and cuts off power to the heater. Replacing it is an expensive repair.

In the worst cases, lint fills the cabinet of the dryer, where the gas flame or electric element may eventually ignite it.

Here’s how to prevent this from happening to you: