# Questions from new homeowner on appliance and a DIY mistake **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 25, 2023, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666 "2023-11-25T03:16:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/21 "2023-11-26T23:48:54Z")
This is my first major experience with a front loader, in fact! There’s one in my childhood home, but it’s relatively old and generally handles a larger household, so obviously this doesn’t come up as much. And here I thought I was being clever just washing a few things. Thanks for the info! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/22 "2023-11-27T06:48:32Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > FYI, I checked my washing machine with the level function on my iPhone, and it looks like it’s balanced fine, so likely an uneven load. There are two separate things: 1. If the washing machine is level. 2. If all four corners are firmly set on the floor: sometimes only three are on the floor and the fourth has a gap–so you can rock the machine a little in one direction. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/23 "2023-11-27T15:56:08Z")
I’ve never had a front-loading washer, but even with a top-loader: 1. I break down stuff into heavy and light loads where that works. 2. Sheets only get washed with other sheets or clothes that are on the light side. 3. (not applicable to front loaders) in a mixed load, I put the heavy stuff on the bottom and the lighter stuff on top. ETA: But first, like the others are saying, make sure all four feet are firmly on the floor. They should all be adjustable. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/24 "2023-12-04T01:31:07Z")
Update: the washer still appears to be moving, regardless of how big the load is. As far as I can tell, the front feet are firmly on the floor. I can’t see the back feet, of course, but when I press down on the back it doesn’t seem to move. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/25 "2023-12-04T01:40:00Z")
How old is the washer? Most washers have some type of damper that helps limit the amount of vibration that the spinning drum creates. If those are broken, even a nominally balanced load might cause the machine to walk. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/26 "2023-12-04T01:57:57Z")
Just over six years old, apparently. A Samsung VRT. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/27 "2023-12-04T02:06:29Z")
Some good comments (now, that’s a surprise…) here: > **[Samsung front load washer walking across floor on spin cycle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsp0F2Y8Q6Q%2F)** > > video of a Samsung front load washer, going through its spin cycle. The first spin up goes ok, the second one it walks the front left corner over a couple of... ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666/28 "2023-12-04T02:46:38Z")
Yeah, definitely not a place I would have considered looking for good info. 😃 One mentioned that there needs to be at least an inch of space between appliances and walls. I don’t have that (between the washer and dryer); wonder if that could help? I’m not very strong, though, so I’m not sure about moving the washer for whatever purpose, like anti vibration pads. Hm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-from-new-homeowner-on-appliance-and-a-diy-mistake/993666.md?page=1)