How to Choose Your Washer Hoses

Materials? Connection Ends? Price?

When it comes to washer hoses, a little bit of research on your part will yield peace of mind in the long run. But know this right off the bat. Whatever you buy, no washing machine hose will last forever. You WILL need to replace them. The ideal interval is every 5 years.

I know that sounds like a pain to track. The solution is simple. Just wrap a piece of masking tape or hang a tag around one of the hoses with a change date. You’ll be reminded every time you do laundry.

But why 5 years?

As explained in an earlier blog, your washing machine hoses are constantly under attack. Between location, contaminates, corrosion, chemicals, water pressures, vibrations, etc., the integrity of a hose is constantly challenged.

No matter what kind of hoses you buy, plan to change them every 5 years.

Let’s look at the two main kinds of washing machine supply hoses you’ll see online or in the store: stainless steel and rubber.

Materials: Stainless steel washing machine hoses

Braided stainless steel washing machine hoses aren’t all metal. They actually have a PVC inner core that’s protected by an outer braid of stainless steel armor that resists punctures, crimping, and kinking.

That all sounds great. But there are a few additional markers of quality to look for when choosing a hose: 

• Is that inner core tubing woven with polyester or some kind of fiber for added strength under pressure?
• Is there a clear vinyl surround that cushions the tubing from the stainless steel braid?
• Does it say that it meets UPC and NSF 61 certifications and ASME and CSA standards?
• Is there a warranty?

If the washer hoses you are looking at don’t provide these details, move on to another brand.

And as pointed out above, nothing lasts forever—even brands that say “burst proof” or promise a life significantly longer than 5 years.

The braided stainless steel washing machine fill hoses from Certified Appliance Accessories meet all of the criteria mentioned above.

Materials: Rubber washer hoses

There are a variety of rubber washer hoses out there. However, “Rubber” isn’t quite the right term. Synthetic rubber is more precise. Even then, there are different kinds with different characteristics.

Look for these extra clues when browsing new hoses:

• Does it say reinforced? Some have no reinforcement woven into them—those hoses are an accident just waiting to happen
• Look to see if the kind of synthetic rubber is mentioned—not all are alike
• Does it offer any information on resistance to ozone, UV, weathering, and aging?
• Can it be used for both hot- and cold-water temps?
• Does it say that it meets UPC certification and ASME standard?
• Is there a warranty?

Certified Appliance Accessories uses EPDM for its synthetic rubber washer hoses. EPDM is an amazingly versatile material. NES-IPS.com has a lot of detailed information about the material in general, but the key takeaways are:

• Ideal for temperature extremes
• Steam resistance
• Not affected by sunlight or UV (especially handy for sunny areas or placement in garages or sheds)
• Resistance to abrasion

Connection Ends: Straight or right angled

Virtually all washing machine inlet hoses have FGH (Female Garden Hose) ends—just like your hose outside. This near-universal connectivity eliminates one of the most frustrating things about hoses—choosing the right kind of connector end found on them.

But you do need to determine if you should purchase washer hoses with two straight ends or hoses with a 90° elbow on one end.

If you are replacing an existing hose or hoses, see what’s already there and get the same thing.

Typically, the right-angle ends attach to the water pipe itself that feeds the washer, not down low on the washing machine. But if there’s a plastic inset box that houses the water connections, a right-angle end may not fit. In that case, flip the usage and install the straight end at the water source and the right angle down at the machine itself.

This brings up another important consideration—length.

If you buy too long of a hose, it adds stress on the connector ends as well as creating extra crowding behind the washer. If these hoses are a replacement, measure the existing ones. Also, check to see if there is extra coiled behind the washer or if they’re pulled too tightly.

Certified Appliance Accessories washer hoses come in a variety of lengths. The braided stainless steel hoses come with a choice of either two straight ends or one end with an elbow. All the EPDM hoses have straight ends, but if you want to use EPDM and you need an elbow, adapters can be found at your local hardware store.

Both kinds of Certified hoses are available in 2 packs as well as singles. EPDM varieties even come in different colors—black, red, and blue—in case you like the idea of color-coding the hot and cold lines.

Choose your hoses wisely

Washer hoses aren’t the most expensive thing you’ll ever buy. But you do want to choose carefully.

If your washer and dryer setup is inside, a burst water hose can ruin a multitude of things—especially if it’s located on an upper level. Even a setup in a garage or shed can create problems.

So, how do you choose the best washing machine hoses?

Ultimately, it comes down to what you prefer and what works best for your home. But above all, make sure you bypass cheaply made options and choose between top-of-the-line products—like those from Certified Appliance Accessories—each and every one is vigorously tested for quality and durability.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Certified Appliance Accessories is not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information.