Man goes to launder clothes in his smart washer. 20 minutes later, it explodes: ‘All I heard was a big boom’

Frequent use of washers can cause them to break down or, in some cases, develop mold inside. However, one man’s routine laundry day took an unexpected turn when his smart washer allegedly exploded, with its lid flying off as he was washing a load of clothes.

The incident was shared by Bruce Johnson (@bruce.johnson513) in a video on TikTok, where he told viewers that he had been using a smart washer and dryer from the brand GE for the past two years. According to Johnson, he had put a load of clothes inside the washer before leaving to let it wash. But around 20 minutes later, he claimed the machine exploded without warning.

“My washer exploded without even giving me a sign or noise or anything,” Johnson said, likening the sound to a bomb going off. “All I heard was a big boom.”

There’s a similar case of a washer exploding

Johnson showed the aftermath of the alleged explosion, revealing that the top portion of the washer and machine parts had become separated from the main body. The lid, on the other hand, flew off its hinges and hit the wall across the room, Johnson said.

While the washer bore the brunt of the unexpected malfunction, Johnson’s dryer was also visibly affected. According to Johnson, the force of the explosion pushed the washer into the dryer, leaving a large dent. Several additional dents and holes, ranging from small to large sizes, were also visible on the wall.

This isn’t the first time someone has experienced a similar problem with their GE washer. WGAL reported in May 2025 that a Pennsylvania woman was in her kitchen when she suddenly heard a “loud explosion,” as if a truck went through her front door.

The woman later found a portion of her GE Profile washer’s drum cover halfway sticking out of the machine as she was washing a mattress pad. Similar to Johnson, her washer also dented the neighboring dryer, with machine parts flying off.

GE suggests lowering spin settings

This issue, however, isn’t exclusive to one brand. The outlet reported that countless other individuals have also experienced washers from major manufacturers breaking apart during routine use in recent years.

GE stated that the cause of the washers breaking down may be due to the “rapid and dramatic shift in the balance inside the drum,” which can be triggered by waterproof or water-resistant items suddenly expelling trapped water inside the washer as the drum spins quickly. In cases where waterproof or water-resistant items need to be washed, GE urges users to use the lowest spin setting or forgo it completely.

In a statement to Subplot News, GE also advises users to use the “delicates” or “bulky” cycle of their washers when dealing with bulky, waterproof, or water-resistant items, and to review the use and care manual to help prolong the life of their machines. GE added, “There are certain items that can create a dramatic out-of-balance scenario. These items should be washed with care.”

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