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Should You Unplug Your Washing Machine Before Going on Vacation?

For an extended absence, unplug or disconnect power to the washer and turn off its water supply as your model’s manual directs. Inspect hoses and use separate winterization steps if freezing is possible.
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Yes, for an extended absence, manufacturer guidance supports unplugging or disconnecting power to your washing machine and turning off its water supply. The exact steps can vary by model, so check your washer’s use-and-care manual before you leave. Turning off the water can help prevent flooding from a pressure surge, but it does not eliminate every possible leak.

What to do before you leave

  1. Finish the wash and remove laundry. Make sure no cycle is running before you go.
  2. Turn off the washer’s water supply. Whirlpool Product Help recommends this to avoid flooding due to a water-pressure surge. Whirlpool’s washer-care guidance also advises turning off the supply when the washer will not be used for a period.
  3. Disconnect power as your manual directs. An LG washer manual says to turn off the water taps and unplug the washer if it will be left unused for an extended period, such as during vacations. Whirlpool gives similar advice for its covered washer. Use the method specified for your model.

Check the inlet hoses

Look for bulges, kinks, cuts, visible wear, or leaks. Whirlpool recommends replacing inlet hoses after five years of use, or sooner if inspection shows damage. This is a maintenance recommendation—not a reason every traveler needs to buy hoses before a trip. If replacement is needed, confirm the hoses fit your washer’s connections and model.

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If freezing temperatures are possible

Winter storage requires more than ordinary vacation preparation: water left inside the washer can freeze and damage it. Follow the model-specific winterization instructions rather than assuming that unplugging and shutting off the taps are enough. Whirlpool’s winterization guidance describes this as a separate procedure.

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Why unplug it—and what is not established

The manufacturer instructions reviewed recommend disconnecting power for extended non-use, including vacations. They do not quantify a reduction in fire risk or establish a vacation-related washer-fire rate, so unplugging should not be presented as a measured level of fire protection. The guidance also does not establish one rule for every washer or a minimum trip length; follow your own model’s manual.

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Two Electronic Voltage & Surge Protector Combo - Protect your Refrigerator and Washing Machine Against High and Low Voltage, Brownouts and Spikes
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