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As winter is nearly upon us, you’ve probably already started the winterization process of your RV, and you may be wondering about your RV washing machine and whether or not you need to protect it from freezing temperatures.
If you don’t winterize your RV washing machine, components like the pump can freeze and cause damage that can be expensive to fix come springtime.
So now you’re probably wondering, how do you winterize an RV washing machine?
Winterizing your RV washing machine can be done using RV-specific antifreeze. The antifreeze needs to be put into the drum and then the washer needs to be put on a spin and drain cycle. The machine can be unplugged after a few minutes, the water supply can be turned off, and the hoses drained.
If you’re in the process of winterizing your RV, it’s important to include your washing machine as it can be damaged in low temperatures over winter, so let’s explore the steps you need to take!
How Do You Winterize an RV Washing Machine?
Preparing your washing machine for the cold season is a must, as the water within the system can freeze when temperatures plummet. As water freezes, it expands which can cause cracks or even burst pipes, resulting in a damaged washing machine and further issues within the RV from leaking.
If you winterized your RV using the compressed air method, you’ll still want to put some antifreeze into your washing machine as it’s very likely small amounts of water will be left behind in the system that can freeze if temperatures get low enough.
Following these simple steps can prevent the destruction that winter often brings. Be sure to read your owner’s manual as you may find winterization information for your specific washing machine from the manufacturers.
Step 1: Pour in the RV Antifreeze
Pour around half a gallon of RV antifreeze into the drum of the washing machine. This will get pumped through the system further in the process, pushing any leftover water out, and protecting your machine’s components.
It’s also important to drain your gray water tank and prepare the toilet in your RV for winter too. It’s a nightmare when you forget to empty your RV toilet and suddenly have a rush of panic in the middle of the winter season and have to uncover and open your RV back up!
Step 2: Put the Washer on a Spin Cycle
Once the antifreeze is in the drum, you can close the machine and put it on a spin and drain cycle. The goal isn’t to keep the antifreeze in the drum, instead, it’s to help push out any existing water, leaving just the antifreeze behind in the pipes.
This is an effective winterization method as antifreeze works well in low temperatures, so it’s an ideal option if you live in a particularly cold climate and want to take all the measures possible to protect your RV washing machine.
Step 3: Turn Off and Unplug the Machine
Wait 3 minutes or so for the cycle to complete and for the antifreeze to get through the system. The washing machine can then be turned off and unplugged as it is prepped for the winter season.
As a general rule of thumb, I tend to unplug utilities like the washing machine in my RV each winter as they won’t need to be used again until the next camping season. Although this is a personal choice, this gives me the peace of mind that no unnecessary power can run through to the unit.
Step 4: Disconnect the Hoses
The final step is to disconnect the hoses from the faucets and drain out any leftover water in the pipes. It’s also a good idea to leave the door on your washing machine open whilst your RV is in storage. This will allow air to circulate into the machine and prevent any unwanted damp or musty smells.
The video below provides a step-by-step of how to winterize your RV with compressed air, and towards the end of the video, the antifreeze RV washing machine winterization method is shown.
Protecting your RV washing machine is a job that doesn’t take long and is relatively inexpensive, as most RVers tend to have some antifreeze lying around for winter preparations anyway – I know I certainly do!
How Do You De-Winterize an RV Washing Machine?
If you winterized your RV for storage over winter, you’ll need to de-winterize it before you set off on the road again for spring camping season. Your RV washing machine needs to be included in the de-winterization process as the antifreeze you used needs to be removed from the system.
Having a washing machine onboard your RV has countless benefits, and as camping can be a pretty dirty activity, it’s a useful piece of equipment for the whole family.
Having to both winterize and de-winterize your RV washing machine can be frustrating as it’s another thing to add to your list, but remember how much more frustrating it would be to not have an RV washing machine in your camper!
Step 1: Flush the Washing Machine
The first step in de-winterizing your RV washing machine is to flush fresh water through the pipes. The hoses that were disconnected in preparation for winter now need to be reconnected and it’s a good idea to check each hose and pipe for any cracks from winter before doing so.
If any damage has come to the hoses but you don’t notice and go ahead and connect them, the washing machine may leak when you use it and cause damage in the RV that can be expensive to fix.
Step 2: Turn the Washing Machine On
Once the hoses have been reconnected, the faucets can be turned back on along with the power supply to the washing machine. Pour some of your regular detergent into the drawer on the washer before selecting the express cycle option.
Step 3: Let the Machine Do A Cycle
Allow the machine to complete a full cycle to get rid of any antifreeze that may still be in the pipes. If you want to be extra thorough, you can do a couple of cycles to make sure every last drop of antifreeze is out of your RV washing machine.
I usually do two cycles with my RV washing machine before using it for laundry to get rid of any excess antifreeze and I haven’t had any problems so far!
Knowing how to safely dispose of RV antifreeze is essential as it can be harmful to the environment, as well as pets. It’s therefore best to use a drainage point to get rid of any antifreeze and prevent it from affecting the environment around you.
Closing Thoughts
The process of winterizing an RV washing machine is a quick and easy one that needs to be part of your general RV winter storage routine. Using RV-specific antifreeze in your washing machine is a sure way of protecting it over the winter season as it prevents any damage that can be caused by freezing temperatures.
Before you start the process of winterizing your RV washing machine, take a look at the owner’s manual as there may be different advice for your specific washing machine. Some washers may need a slightly different winterization process, so it’s best to double-check what’s recommended in the manual and use the correct method for your washer.