Safe operating temperature for top load washers?

[norgechef]

I live in eastern Canada and the weather is just starting to warm up to about +6 during the days and still around -2 at night lately and im thinking +8 is probably an appropriate temperature to start using a washing machine at right? the reason I ask is because my home has no basement and this year i got a new washer and the old one had to be moved to the barn outside where i hooked it up and used it until around the end of October when it became too cold to go outside at which point i poured bleach into the pump to keep it from freezing and put a tarp over it. I have burnt up 2 or 3 motors on washers before trying to run them outside in the winter (i know how stupid you must think i am) and i have learned my lesson not to operate appliances in weather below 0 degrees...i searched all over Google and couldn't find a single thing about the safe operating temp. for a washer. This washer is my favorite and if i burnt up the motor i would be quite angry at myself....so what do you guys think?

 

[whirlcool]

I would say that anything below 0C (32F) would be risking it.

What happens in very cold weather is the lubricants in the motors harden up and don't lubricate as well as they do at say 25C. That's maybe why your motors went out or at least a contributing cause.

 

[qsd-dan]

Every washer is a bit different due to variances in tolerances and viscosity of oils used. In cold weather like that, it's best to fill the tub with the hottest water possible and let it sit for a while to warm up the oil and inner workings. If it's cold enough outside, you probably wouldn't have to wait long for the water to cool down to a "warm" temp and wash a warm load.

 

The main problem you'll have is adequately draining as much water as possible to prevent the pump from freezing and cracking. You could probably get away with dosing it with some straight ani-freeze (not the 50/50 mix), just make sure you fill and drain the tub to flush that mixture out before washing clothes. Also, be sure you drain the anti-freeze laden water away from animals. They're attracted to that stuff and it'll kill 'em.

 

[tolivac]

Not to mention its too cold for the motor's lube-but also the oil or grease in the washers transmission.The freezing can also burst pumps and plumbing unless they are drained and filled with antifreeze.You flush out the antifreeze before you use the washer in the spring.Oh-QsdDan mentioned the anti-freeze-yes keeping it away from animals is paramont-the smell and taste is attractive to both dogs and cats-a cat my Dad had died from ingesting antifreeze spilled on the garage floor.He was careful about antifreeze after that.To sum up try to keep your machines in "human" conditions if they are being used or not.Even "porch" washers here in NC have been killed from attempted use or storage outside.

 

[norgechef]

What other than cold weather would damage them?

Its not very humid here so that wont be an issue...and i try and make sure it doesn't get wet underneath so what else would damage a washer by being outside? would a rust protecting spray like rust oleum do any good?

 

[cleanteamofny]

Antifreeze should be used, but the right type is important so invest in a bottle or two of RV Antifreeze!

 

[mrb627]

Bleach

I didn't know that bleach wouldn't freeze. Is this true?

Malcolm

 

[jamiel]

I'd find it hard to believe that 94% water wouldn't freeze, but never tried it.

 

[norgechef]

Not sure of that myself lol

I didn't have any antifreeze....i think bleach freezes at -7 or so but i have left washers with water in the pumps without anything else that were fine when i used them again...pumps are only $20 for this type of washer so if the pump cracked i will buy a new one

 

[logixx]

I didn't know that bleach wouldn't freeze. Is this t

When our dishwasher went out, I tried to make bleach ice cubes in the frezer (0F) (trying to improve washing performance) and the bleach just wouldn't freeze.

 

[arbilab]

I wouldn't use automotive antifreeze. It has additives in it you probably don't want on your clothes and they don't readily rinse away. Use propylene glycol. Not only is it animal safe, it is very soluble in water and additive free. It's probably the base of the RV waterline treatment. Whichever is cheaper.

 

[tomturbomatic]

You don't say whether you drained the fill valve, but those can freeze and burst, too.

 

[norgechef]

No I didn't drain the fill valves...

the hoses were unhooked though...so lets hope the water just ran out before they froze. If they froze and burst i guess i could just use the outdoor water hose lol...that'd be a pain in the ass, i bet i could also get a cheap fill valve for this washer, parts are pretty cheap for this machine...

 

[tomturbomatic]

If this machine has the ill chance to live through another winter with you, the procedure is to disconnect the hoses and let them hang down to drain. Then you set the water temperature setting at warm, and set the timer in the fill period for wash and turn it on for a full minute to energize the valves and let the water drain out. It will only be a few drips, but draining them is important.