How to Keep Your Appliances in Good Condition
Household appliances save us time and effort. Imagine life without a washing machine or dishwasher. It wouldn’t be much fun. Unfortunately, many household appliances don’t last more than a few years. A cynic might argue that manufacturers deliberately build appliances with a limited lifespan, so they can sell you a new one after five years. We don’t know if this is true, but one thing is certain: if you look after your appliances, they will almost certainly last longer.
If your dishwasher, fridge, oven, or other appliance is faulty, check whether it is under warranty. And if your washing machine is faulty and you need washing machine repair and maintenance advice from Hotpoint, give them a call.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure you get the maximum life possible out of your appliances. Ignore them at your peril!
Fridges
A shiny new fridge is a joy. It’s clean and hygienic inside with no mouldy mushrooms lurking in the vegetable tray and the shelves are just begging to be filled with food. But, as proud as you may be with your new fridge, it is essential that you don’t switch it on for 24 hours when you first bring it home.
Fridges are often transported flat. The oil in the compressor needs time to settle before you switch the fridge on for the first time. Otherwise, the oil may end up in the refrigerant lines rather than the pump, which will lead to the pump wearing out much sooner than it should.
It is also a good idea to vacuum the coils at the back of the fridge from time to time. This helps to keep them dust-free. If dust is allowed to settle and form an insulating layer, the fridge will need to work harder to maintain the correct temperature.
If you take good care of your fridge, it should easily last 15+ years.
Freezers
Freezers generally last a long time and require very little maintenance. If you have a frost-free freezer, it doesn’t need to de-frosted. Older models don’t have this facility, so you need to defrost your freezer when ice begins to build up. To do this safely, empty the freezer and switch it off for 24 hours, or as long as it takes to defrost.
Frost-free freezers have a drain pan. Clean it out from time to time or mould will build up. A solution of bleach and water is fine.
Washing Machines
Washing machines don’t usually last more than five years, but with some care and attention, you can keep your washing machine in perfect working order for longer.
Always empty pockets before you place garments in the machine. Coins and other metal objects cause untold damage to a washing machine drum. Foreign objects can also get caught between the door seal, which will damage it and cause a leak. Smaller objects can get stuck in the drain hose, which is equally damaging.
Prop the door open after you empty the washing machine. This allows the drum and other components to dry out. If the machine is left closed and wet, mould might build up inside, which is a health issue.
Dishwashers
Make sure you clean out the drain filter regularly. This is where food waste ends up. If it is allowed to build up, the dishwasher won’t drain properly. You probably use your dishwasher daily, but if you don’t use it that often, pour some mineral oil and water into the bottom of the machine to keep the seals moisturized. Otherwise, they will dry out and the next time you run a load, water will leak out everywhere.
Hard water can cause numerous problems with household appliances, so pop a hard water tablet into your washing machine or dishwater every week or so. It is possible to keep your appliances in good working order for longer than you would expect using the tips discussed above.