What is a drum in a washing machine?

Author: Alayna McCullough IV  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

A washing machine's drum is the core component where your clothes are placed for washing. It serves as the container for water, detergent, and your laundry, rotating during wash cycles to clean the clothes effectively.

Where is the drum on a washer?

The one you see where the clothes are loaded is the inner drum, which moves around the washing machine and is perforated with holes to allow the water in and out. The outer tub contains the inner drum and the water, stopping it from leaking into the rest of the machine and supports the inner drum.

What is considered the drum of a washing machine?

The inner tub is called a wash basket in top load washers and a drum in front load washers. The outer tub remains stationary and holds the wash basket or drum, catching the wash water so it can be drained out. The wash basket or drum is the part of the washer that holds the clothes and rotates to wash them.

Do you put anything in a drum clean?

Do not add any detergent while running a program to clean. Run a hot water cycle. Set your washing machine to the hottest temperature and the longest cycle, for example, Cottons 90. Look out for self-cleaning programmes.

How do you know if the drum has gone in washing machine?

If your washer has a loose drum, the chances are that you are hearing loud banging or grinding noises. You may also see some error codes on your washer's display screen. Alternatively, you may feel that your washing machine is malfunctioning or that it has stopped working altogether.

How to Diagnose Drum Problems in a Washing Machine

How much does it cost to replace a drum in a washing machine?

Washing machine drum replacement cost falls between $350 and $550. Replacing the inner drum of a washer is one of the more costly repairs. Drums only require replacement if the tub has become damaged or has a manufacturer defect.

How do you know if a drum is bad?

Common symptoms of bad brake drums include scraping noises when the brakes are pressed, soft brake pedals, and a pulsing sensation in the brake. Brake drum replacement typically costs between $50 and $500 depending on the brand and the quality of the materials.

How often should I do a drum clean on my washing machine?

It is important to regularly clean the door and the drum of your washing machine to prevent any build-up of bacterias that can cause bad odours. It is recommended to clean the drum of your washing machine once a month.

Does laundry detergent go in the drum?

Your two main options when using powdered detergent are: Place it directly into the compartment drawer of your washing machine – you should consult you washing machine manual to learn which is the correct compartment to use. Place the powder in a mesh bag directly in the drum to allow it to dissolve quicker.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

What is the life of a washing machine drum?

The average washing machine can handle around 5,100 cycles, with low-end machines running about 4,000 cycles and high-end machines running 8,000 or more.

Do you put tide pods directly in the washer?

Add pods to the washer tub before clothing, either to the back or bottom of the tub and never to the detergent dispenser unless you're directed to by your washer's manufacturer. Adding them to an empty tub helps them dissolve properly and can help prevent detergent streaks or residue on clothing.

Can a washing machine drum go out of balance?

It's most likely the bearings are going out! These crucial components ensure that the drum spins smoothly and without excess vibration. So, when the bearings break down, they can't support the drum properly, leading to an off-balance and noisy cycle.

What does the washing machine drum look like?

Tub/drum

The first one is a movable, perforated tub where the clothes are placed. The perforated surface allows for water to come in and out during the cycle. The outer tub supports the inner tub and also holds water during the washing cycle.

Can a bra wire damage a washing machine?

However, more often than not when these come out they make their way between the inner drum and outer tub. Now, this can go unnoticed for quite some time and can also inevitably cause serious damage to the washing machine – especially if you consider that a lot of washing machines now have plastic outer tubs.

What to do if a washing machine drum is broken?

If your washing machine drum doesn't spin or stutters and splurts intermittently, check for one of these common issues.
  1. Inspect the drive belt. ...
  2. Check the motor. ...
  3. Examine the door switch. ...
  4. Check for foreign objects. ...
  5. Level the machine. ...
  6. Replace worn shock absorbers. ...
  7. Inspect the door seal/gasket. ...
  8. Check the water inlet hose.

What does drum mean in laundry?

A component crucial to the functioning of a washing machine, believe it or not, is the tub, or drum. It is what acts as a container for clothes during a wash cycle, and is made of stainless steel generally.

What do you put in a washing machine drum?

A quick and easy solution for cleaning your washing machine drum is white wine vinegar. White wine vinegar is excellent for cleaning and removing odours; add a glass to the empty drum and then run a normal cycle.

Do you put laundry pods in the drum?

Before adding your laundry, place the laundry pod directly into the drum of your washing machine. Unless otherwise directed by your washing machine manufacturer, it is not recommended to use the dispenser for laundry pods as they may not dissolve and distribute properly.

What happens if you don't clean your washing machine?

Laundry soils, detergent and hard water minerals build up in areas you can't see and mold and mildew can thrive in the washer lid and the door, according to green cleaning coach Leslie Reichert.

Is drum clean the same as self clean?

Samsung washing machines have a self-cleaning cycle called Drum Clean* (or Drum Clean+), which heats up water up to 60 °C and 70 °C to remove any bacteria or build-up from the drum of your washing machine. This can also remove any dirt that has accumulated in the rubber door gasket.

Do you add anything to a drum clean cycle?

It is recommended that you perform this cycle regularly to clean the drum by removing bacteria from it. This cycle heats the water between 60 °C and 70 °C, and it also removes accumulated dirt from the rubber door gasket. Basically, you can clean the drum without a cleaning agent when you use the ECO DRUM CLEAN cycle.

What happens if you don't replace drum?

Many consumers have the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. But the replacement of a drum unit is vital to laser printers' health. A degraded drum unit can cause streaks, smudges, and blank spots on your printed page even if you just inserted a new printer toner.

How do you clean a drum?

A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, with a soft rag or microfiber cloth, will safely clean every surface on your kit. If you want to really go the extra mile, disassemble the drums and clean under and around where the hardware is screwed to the shell.

How do you know if you need new drums?

The back of the car shakes or pulls to one side when applying the brakes. The brake pedal vibrates or feels soft. The parking brake feels loose or doesn't hold the car in place. The brakes grind or squeal when applied.

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