Appliances are usually very easy to use, but sometimes, without realizing it, we can cause serious damage to them by not doing it properly, either by overloading them or simply by not having enough patience.
With all the emerging trends in home appliances, it can be all too easy to forget the basics of their maintenance as we go about our daily routines. And while owning a refrigerator doesn’t exactly require a PhD, there are some pretty common mistakes that most of us don’t even realize we’re making.
Just like common costly kitchen cleaning mistakes, it’s all too easy to make mistakes when it comes to how we use our everyday appliances. These mistakes repeated over time can lead to some pretty hefty repair bills and could even result in you needing to replace them. Here are the top three you want to avoid…
3 common appliance mistakes you should avoid
Matt Ayres, appliance expert at RDO Kitchens & Appliances, shared with us the most common habits people have that slowly destroy appliances. Here are the top three. Your bank account will thank you later!
1. Overfilling the refrigerator
Aside from knowing how to clean your fridge, there are very few maintenance instructions you actually need to know about your appliance. However, Matt reveals that we’ve all been stocking our fridges wrong and that this could be costing you money every week.
“A good rule of thumb is to keep your refrigerator at 75 percent capacity. Overloading it can stop air circulation and make it difficult to regulate the temperature inside,” he says.
This makes the appliance work harder and puts a lot of stress on the compressor and condenser coils, which will eventually cause a lot of damage. Not only that, overstocking can also lead to increased food waste and, in the worst case, a higher risk of food poisoning.
Refrigerator cleaning tools
Aidea Microfiber Cloth, Pack of 8
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Method Multi-Purpose Cleaner in Pink Grapefruit
PVP: £3.75 | Cleaning the outside of your machine with a high-quality, non-toxic multi-purpose spray will give you peace of mind as it kills bacteria and cuts through grease without any nasty chemicals.
Croc Odor Twin Pack Refrigerator Deodorizer
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2. Wash towels and bed linen together
While you may know how often you should wash your sheets, the way you wash them may not be the right way. Trying to save money by bundling your towels and linens may seem like a good idea, but it can cost you more in repairs in the long run. Plus, it won’t help soften your towels.
“Once water is added during washing, the weight of these items increases significantly, meaning you are likely to exceed the recommended weight limit of your machine,” explains Matt. “Over time, overly heavy loads can damage the drum bearings and shaft.”
Matt also points out that towels, sheets and duvet covers also form a single ball when washed together, which can bounce around during washing, which in turn can cause damage to the drum and internal parts of the machine.
3. Close the dishwasher after emptying it
Of all the common mistakes you can make with your dishwasher, this may be one of the easiest to commit. However, committing this sin can mean you have to clean dishes more often than you’d like.
“Any appliance that has rubber components, such as door seals, and uses soap and water is prone to mould growth,” says Matt. “Dishwashers are particularly at risk of mould growth, which can be difficult to remove.”
Not only will this build-up of mould make the machine look dirty, but it is also extremely unhygienic. With this in mind, Matt recommends that once the cycle has finished, you open the door slightly to allow all the warm air to escape. This will prevent mould build-up, whilst also helping the contents to dry faster.
In addition to these three, there is also one mistake you may be making with your air fryer that will significantly reduce the efficiency of your machine. Matt says, “Did you know that you should also clean the top coils at least once a month? It’s easy for gunk to build up inside the hull of your fryer over time, caused by oil, sauce, and even food debris that shoots up during cooking.”
This can damage the fryer and cause a fire hazard. When cleaning your air fryer, Matt suggests avoiding excessive amounts of water or soap and only using a damp sponge to clean the coils once a month.
