Your kitchen equipment represents a considerable investment and the key to getting the longest possible life out of it is caring for it properly. Here's a quick refresher on some important kitchen appliances maintenance tips.
All Appliances
- 1. Read and follow the guidelines in the instruction manual - Any machine performs best when used as intended. You'll find detailed information on correct usage in the booklet that comes with the appliance, so take the time to read the instructions!
- 2. Stick to the recommended maintenance schedule - Both home maintenance and professional servicing are important, but when the servicing needs to be recorded it's absolutely vital, as failing to get it done could invalidate your guarantee.
- 3. Keep it clean - Appliances operate more efficiently when they're clean on the inside while wiping spills promptly on the outside reduces the risk of corroding enameled surfaces which then opens up the metal beneath to rusting.
Appliance Specific Maintenance
- 4. Don't overload it - Of all washing machine maintenance tips, this is the simplest and absolutely the most important. An overloaded washing machine has to work harder and if you jam too many clothes in they won't get cleaned properly anyway.
- 5. Use the right amount of detergent - Too little and your clothes won't get clean, too much will lead to a build-up of nasty scum. Make sure you're using a detergent type that's suitable for your machine too.
- 6. Use descaling agents as needed - If you live in a hard water area, limescale is your washing machine's number one enemy. This is just as true for your dishwasher of course, but more often overlooked for washing machines.
Dishwashers
- 7. Scrape the plates - You shouldn't need to wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher but removing loose food residue is important.
- 8. Load it properly - That means not overloading and making sure things are secure so that sharp utensils can't damage the vinyl coating of racks.
- 9. Clean the gasket regularly - This is one of the often overlooked dishwasher tips and tricks. Food build up in the gasket can lead to a leaky dishwasher, so work your way around the gasket regularly to maintain that watertight seal.
- 10. Clear out traps - There will be a trap or filter at the bottom of the machine to catch food debris. Clean it out and the machine will work better and there's less likely to be a drainage problem.
Fridges and Freezers
- 11. Defrost the freezer - If the appliance doesn't have an auto defrost cycle you'll need to do this at least once a year, and preferably before the ice is less than 1 cm thick. This simple measure considerably extends the lifespan of the freezer and will also reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
- 12. Keep coils and air intakes clean - These can easily get dusty or dirty and because they're often low down or at the back of the appliance it's easy to forget about them. If the coils or air intakes are dirty or blocked the motor can overheat - at best it has to work harder, at worst it can burn out.
And finally...
Don't ignore warning signs. Any strange noises, reduction in performance or other signs and symptoms that something's amiss need to be addressed. Calling for appliance repairs South London at the first hint of a problem could mean a small bill and a simple piece of work that will return your appliance to full function for years to come. Ignore a little problem and it could result in a more expensive repair, or worse, yet an irreparable fault down the line.
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