I’ve been writing about and following cases of “exploding” door glass on washing machines since 2008. There’s been a steady trickle of reports from people with various brands. Some even claim their door glass shattered spontaneously when the washing machine was not even switched on. It’s potentially a genuine safety concern. Especially for children.
Customers who report these incidents are definitely claiming it is dangerous. I have seen reports of people being cut and injured, but nothing serious so far. As far as I can make out it’s been more to do with being cut picking up the glass.
Back in 2012 there was a brief flurry of international media interest in my article. It was widely quoted and linked to. However, presumably without any reports of serious injury it was soon forgotten.
Don’t confuse two separate “exploding” washing machine issues
This article is about the door glass exploding. Another issue, which has also had national press coverage is when the washing machine’s inner drum “explodes” during spin.
This is a known issue related to specific brands and is covered in my article here – washing machines exploding: What’s going on?
Shattering door glass
I’m not entirely happy using the word explode because it sounds sensational. But as most people experiencing this issue use that word it needs to be used. Some have even described it as being like “a bomb”.
The previous picture is of a Beko washing machine. Beko are one of the most common UK washing machines who so far have the highest reported cases. The consumer who sent it me wrote –
I dread to think the outcome if my son had been in front of the machine at the time!
Lots of people have expressed concerns over children and pets.
Seeing the following photo on my Facebook news-feed heightened my concerns. It’s of a friend’s small child innocently looking into their washing machine.
Reports of spontaneous exploding glass when washer not even running
No parent could be expected to foresee the thick door glass of their washing machine shattering, either when on – or especially when it’s just standing unused. This photo is worrying when you know about all of the incidents that have happened (rare or not). Clearly it’s best to not let children get this close up just in case.
Manufacturers are saying the problem is caused by foreign obstructions such as coins or metal buckles hitting and weakening the door glass. The weakened door can then shatter under constant heating up and cooling down.
Another theory is that it’s caused by people overloading the washing machine. However, it would be nice if the door glass was strong enough to cope with such inevitable stresses. I have written an article specifically covering that subject here – exploding door glass who’s fault is it?
Which washing machines are affected?
Many brands have been mentioned across the price range. Cheap, middle, and even some top-end brands have been affected. So it’s not necessarily only the cheapest brands. See the tally of reports on the right column (after the comments on mobile devices).
What’s the solution?
Until a definite cause is proved it’s difficult to know what needs to be done. The main expectation is that the door glass maybe needs to be made thicker. There’s no proof that the glass is too thin as yet. If manufacturers placed a plastic cover in front of the door glass it would definitely prevent any injuries. This would make it double-glazed.
It’s likely to be difficult to fit one retrospectively. So it would probably need to be designed like this from the off. This was actually done around 20 years back by Hoover on models like the Eco Logic, Soft Wave and New Wave. However it was done for thermal protection and insulation. To my knowledge, and in my experience, the shattering door glass was not an issue back then. I didn’t come across any shattered door glass until around 2008.
What can you do to limit any danger?
Enough reports of the glass shattering whilst the washer isn’t even on have been made to be taken seriously although this still appears to be rare.
Don’t let kids play around washing machines until this issue is hopefully resolved.
Some door glass appears to break into relatively safe rounded chunks, but some (see photos of broken glass ) have broken into more sharp and jagged pieces, which definitely look dangerous.
Remember, there are only (presumably) a few hundred cases out of millions of washing machines and only a small percentage of them claim the washer wasn’t running at the time.
So the odds of it happening at all – never mind someone being in front of it at the time – should be very low. If you are concerned enough to need to do something you could try hanging a thick towel over the door when the washer is not in use. That would prevent or limit any glass flying out. Keep children and pets away from it especially when it’s running.
Take care of your washing machine and treat it gently
Many of them aren’t built as well as they used to and can’t take much “abuse”. Don’t overload the machine by cramming it so full that the whole laundry just turns around in one big lump. Don’t under-load it either – Loading a washing machine).
Also make sure you check all pockets for coins and other obstructions before washing.
Don’t put laundry in with metal buckles or buttons which could hit the door glass.
Some new washing machines do have a plastic barrier in front of the glass
I’ve seen two new AEG washing machines that both have a protective plastic see-through plate in front of the door glass (which is the solution I’ve always described). However, they were both washer dryers.
So it’s more to do with thermal insulation again than protecting against shattering door glass. As AEG have only had 1 reported incident on Whitegoodshelp (so far) it seems unlikely they would have introduced this “shield” for safety. It’s likely to just be coincidental.
(More views on this subject from another engineer : Ken Watt runs UKWhitegoods and is an experienced appliance engineer. He has written an article giving his views here – Washing Machine Door Glass Failures)
Photos and tally of broken door glass
I have a separate page where I feature some of the photos of shattered door glass I’ve received. On this page there is also a list of all of the incidents reported to me in order of which brands are most affected. Photos are currently here – photos and tally of broken glass.
There are also plenty of comments on this article below to read and research if you scroll down. If you have any information or would just like to register an incident with me please add a comment or contact me
Related articles
- Exploding door glass who’s fault is it?
- For an article on actual washing machines exploding (not just the door glass) go here – Washing machines exploding: What’s going on?
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It was my Miele W3740 that had the glass door suddenly shatter, unfortunately having written a letter to Comet under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and copied in Miele, both sent via Recorded Delivery, I have had a very disappointing response from both parties. Miele have agreed to clear the glass from the drum under the guarantee but as they want to undertake major engineering on my premises and use heavy lifting gear to access the drum I have declined. Under the Sale of Goods Act I am not obliged to accept a repair. In any case they are aware that I have lost confidence in that machine. Comet as retailer has the liability but they have made minimal effort. Neither Comet nor Miele have given me the the courtesy of a reply to my letter, I doubt that any of the staff are able to put one together. I have had one phone call from Comet when I informed them that legal action is to follow, that was a week ago and I have heard nothing from Comet or Miele. I still have no washing machine machine, three weeks now! Next step is I am off to get the forms from the local Court. I will keep you posted.
Hello Penny: Under the sale of goods act they are not obliged to replace an appliance if they can show it is disproportionately expensive compared to the cost of a repair – especially if it’s a minor fault. But having lost confidence in a machine that has exhibited such potentially dangerous behaviour though takes it into different territory and I would expect a retailer to be sympathetic to that. A lot depends on how long you’ve had the machine too.
Unfortunately as Miele are the highest quality washing machine you can buy it creates quite a dilemma as to what to replace it with. Please keep us posted thanks.
Dear Sir i own a Miele Komfort ModW1713. which was purchased Nov 07 up till now it has not been a problem.
Last Thursday while washing three towels on a cotton programme 60 degree wash about half way through there was a loud bang and a noise like shaking ice cubes in a cocktail shaker.
to my astonishment the inner dome on the door had exploded and filled the drum and washing with glass.
Ran Miele the following day customer afterservice said they had never herd of this happening before and needed to get an engineer straight out to investigate, also wanted me to speak to one of there engineers so put me on hold.
After a few minutes they came back said they didn’t need to speak to me and it would be over a week before the engineer would come out with the replacement parts and to investigate.
They asked if i had knocked door or anything but that is all, luckily we were here but like your other commenter my wife now has no confidence in the machine,makes it worse that they stated it has not happened before when it obviously has.
The machine is obviously out of warranty luckily they didn’t mention any charges i just don’t like the idea that a company with a reputation like Miele would say it is not a problem and has not happened. If they do after the event try to charge for the repair can you advise where i stand on the matter
To update on the Miele W3740 glass door shattering and Comet and Miele’s disapointing response. Since sending a letter to Comet under the 1979 Sale of Goods Act (no response) I have written again stating my intention to take legal action against them, I asked for a written reply, they replied only by telephone. No one wants to commit themselves to paper anymore. Comet appear content to sit back and let Miele dictate the outcome although it is they who hold liability under the Sale of Goods Act.
I had the same experience as Bill initially when I first informed Miele and it took another ten days for an engineer to just look, no repair. In the meantime I have been without a washing machine since 5 January. Miele have stated that they will undertake repairs under the guarantee. They will replace the door and remove glass from the drum using heavy lifting gear in my home, I have declined this offer, they then suggested they could do it in the garden!
I declined this offer too, not wanting glass all over my patio and garden, I have a dog. Comet and Miele continue to fail to acknowledge the safety issue, they said that should the glass door shatter again it will be covered under their extended warranty, no mention of what happens should injury occur or if it happens after the warranty has expired, presumably the customer pays. Miele are not interested at all in why this has happened and that this machine has proved itself to be a time bomb, Miele are obviously aware of the other machines and glass breaking incidents and appear happy to keep their customers in the dark, to maintain the status quo probably all in the name of money.
A suggestion to anyone who wishes to have this safety problem taken seriously…
BBC Watchdog comes and goes, but looking at the BBC website, they are still looking for more stories. I would definitely recommend contacting BBC Watchdog – I’m sure when this is broadcast (I say “when” and not “if), people throughout the UK with shattered glass doors on washing machines and washer dryers will be contacting the programme.
i had a beko which i brought in dec of 09 that exploded glass from the door all over my kitchen while nobody was around(luckily).this happened in oct 10 only 10 months old, that was finally replaced with a new machine exactly the same. today feb 11 sitting in the lounge with my baby and 8 year old we heard a loud bang thinking something fell off the side in the kitchen i went to investigate to find the door has exploded yet again with small shards of glass covering all my 8week old babys clothes. I am now trying to get a new machine with a different make as dont want to have to go through this again.
Hello natalie: Your experience highlights the point I’ve made from the start, which is if they just replace the door glass what’s to stop it happening again? If they replace it with an improved design then it’s pretty much an admission it wasn’t suitable in the first place.
Are the shards of glass pointed and sharp, or are they small squares of glass as in safety glass that are unlikely to cut?
bought a beko washing machine less than 2 months ago and 20 mins ago the glass shattered. it was on a final spin and sent the shards of glass all over kitchen floor and the clothes inside are covered in VERY SHARP pieces, best they can do is send sum1 out on monday. its thursday now. can i claim compensation for all the clothes that are ruined or is that a job for house insurance.
joanne: I would say you have a claim against the people you bought it from if you can show it’s a manufacturing fault but there’s no proof of that at the moment only a claim that it is caused by user misuse.
You shouldn’t have to claim on your house insurance, which may cost you in increased premiums, loss of no claims bonus or simply in time and effort and the inconvenience of having to detail the claim for the next 3 to 5 years on any subsequent insurance quote enquiry you might want to do.
I have a 1.5 year old Samsung washing machine, one day we noticed that the door glass was cracked and a large piece had fallen out into the machine. It is out of warranty but we have an extended warranty but they refused to cover the repair so I just order the part myself and replaced it at a cost of about $75.
I am very surprised that this would break and do not consider it our fault so I am rather upset that we had to pay for the repair. I will be writing to Samsung about it to express my aggravation.
-walter