What to do if washing machine is leaking?

A puddle in the laundry room almost always means that your washer is leaking. Fortunately, some of the puddles mean only a minor issue which can be solved by your own, others indicate a bigger problem. No matter the reason, every leak needs to be investigated and solved before the puddle becomes a flood.

If water is pooling at the front of the appliance, the leak could be coming from the door.

Always make sure the door is firmly shut before starting a cycle.

You should hear an audible click to indicate this. Check that there are no clothes stuck between the door and the housing that could be preventing the door from shutting properly, and be sure not to overfill the washing machine drum.

Clean and inspect the rubber seal

Maintaining a clean rubber seal is important in order to prevent any damage to it, which could lead to leaks. Simply clean the rubber seal and the door, ensuring that all fluff and detergent residue is removed from the contact area between the rubber seal and the appliance door. To clean your washing machine’s seal, you will need a cloth and warm water. Abrasive cleaners are not necessary. These can attack the rubber. Wipe around the seal with a damp cloth until it’s clean

Excessive foam may be produced if you wash laundry or curtains that are only lightly soiled, add too much detergent or use unsuitable/old detergent.

Foam and water might overflow the detergent drawer or will leak at the door.

1.Check the amount of dirt in the washing

The more dirty the clothes are, the more detergent that's needed to remove it. You may not see it, but approximately 70% of dirt on clothes comes from the body, such as skin, sweat, grease and other bodily fluids. Only 30% of dirt on clothes comes from external sources, such as food, mud, grass, lotions and creams.

2. Consider the size of the washing load

Detergent dosage instructions are based upon a washing machine's drum size, and for good reason. The larger the washing load, the more dirt introduced and therefore the more detergent that's needed to remove it.

3. Check the water hardness level in your area

Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals which need to be softened and neutralised for more effective cleaning results. It's for this reason that detergent manufacturers recommend using slightly more detergent than normal in hard water areas.

Have you checked the tips and the issue isn’t gone?
If you have followed the information above but you're still having problems with your Bosch washing machine then you might want to have it checked out by a Bosch service expert.

• More info about troubleshooting for washing machines:
  overview page
• User manuals for washing machines:
  user manuals
• Fitting accessories and other products:
  accessories