The Dancing Washer

My washing machine vibrated so hard on spin that the neighbors downstairs started texting me. It had walked six inches across the laundry room floor and nearly yanked its own hose out. The problem was not the machine. It was the legs.

You do not need a bubble level to fix it. A simple trick with water does the job.

The Water Trick

Put the machine in place, then set a shallow pan or saucer of water on top, dead center. Add about half an inch of water so you can see the surface. Adjust one leg at a time until the water line sits perfectly even with the rim of the pan.

Most washers have screw feet with lock nuts on the bottom corners. Turn the foot to raise or lower that corner, then tighten the nut against the machine so it holds.

Get the Legs Touching the Floor

Here is the part people miss: all four feet must touch the floor at the same time. A machine with one floating corner rocks on spin no matter how level the top looks. After you adjust the water, rock the machine gently. If it rocks, one foot is off the floor. Screw that foot down until the rocking stops.

1. Place a shallow pan of water on top
2. Adjust the legs until the water line is even
3. Tighten the lock nuts
4. Rock the machine to check all four feet touch

When Leveling Does Not Fix It

If the machine still walks after leveling, check the load. A single heavy towel wrapped around the drum unbalances the spin, and no amount of leveling fixes an unbalanced load. Spread the laundry out evenly around the drum.

Also check the shipping bolts if the machine is new. Most new machines come with transit bolts that must be removed before first use, and leaving them in causes violent shaking.

My washer is quiet now. The neighbors stopped texting, the machine stays put, and the water trick cost me zero dollars.