It is not unusual to be regularly asked by customers to “service” their appliance. Unlike motor vehicles, it is more a case of taking care of the appliance properly as opposed to any regular servicing. Below are a few hints on caring for you appliances.
Refrigeration
Air flow
The most important requirement of refrigeration is air. In our hot and humid climate if a fridge or freezer (or even worse the wine cooler!) is trying work in a hot, airless room it will struggle and eventually die! Make sure your refrigeration is able to get rid of the heat that comes from the compressor by ensuring there is adequate air flow. During use it is easy for the refrigerator or freezer to be pushed right up against the rear wall thus making it hard for air to circulate. A practical idea is to place a brick or block of wood between the base of the appliance and the wall. Such simple remedies can save so much pain!
Defrosting the fridge/freezer
With the advent of frost free refrigeration most do not have to worry about de-frosting the freezer. However, we still sell plenty of cyclic fridges and quite regularly we sell one because the owner has wrecked the unit while trying to speed up the job of de-frosting. How does one achieve such an outcome? By chiselling away at the ice build up with a sharp instrument that’s how! All it takes is a small hole in the freezer and hey presto! the gas escapes and the damage is permanent. One minute you have a perfectly good fridge/ freezer, the next you have a wreck. The answer is simple. Preferably just leave the ice to melt on its own and wipe out the unit later. Or, if you are in a hurry a hair dryer can assist. But no sharp instruments and/or hammering at the ice!
Avoiding mould/odours
Mould will grow very quickly once a refrigeration appliance is turned off and simply left closed. If you are going to leave your appliance off for several days or more, leave the door ajar. This will allow the moisture to dry out thus preventing the growth of mould and the development of offensive odours.
Door seal damage
Refrigeration seals will deteriorate over time. However keeping them clean will help ensure the best service you can get from them. So if liquid gets spilt onto the seals, wipe it off immediately to prevent it getting sticky and causing the seals to tear. Good seals are vital to the efficiency of your refrigerator.
Air vents and drains
Refrigerators and freezers, in particular frost free refrigeration, rely on air circulation and efficient draining. To ensure vents and drains are not blocked it is important to keep loose particles of food from entering them. Those parts of the fridge are easy to see and it is really a case of loading the fridge/freezer properly and keeping it as clean as possible.
Setting on the floor
Set the feet of your refrigerator/freezer so that the unit is leaning back slightly and is solid on the ground. This helps the water drain the way it should and stops the fridge from rocking around when the door is opened. It will also help keep the door firmly closed, which is certainly important.
Washing Machines
Installation
Does your machine take of across the laundry floor when it goes into spin? If it does it is usually a simple case of setting the feet correctly and not, as so many conclude, “a balance problem” The test is simple. If you can rock the machine (even slightly) back and forth then the feet need adjustment to set the machine solid on the floor. Sometimes, the tiled floor is just too shiny and smooth for the rubber feet to grip properly. In that case, try putting the machine onto a rubber mat to ensure extra grip.
Levelling
The machine is solid on the floor, but it still has a “balance problem”. Does that sound like yours? This is usually the result of the machine being way out of level, or the feet are not locked solid. Simply re-set the level of the machine and make sure the feet are not loose. In most top loading machines leaning it slightly forward (never backwards) is a useful way of preventing nuisance out of balance trips.
Smells
A washing machine will start to smell quite badly usually due to what has been put into it and not properly rinsed out. In our FAQ section we mention the evils of fabric softener. That is a classic example of an additive that does your machine so much harm. Every now and then, flush your machine out with hot water and a packet of Epsom salts. Never use fabric softener and never use any bleach based product to clean the machine out.
Mould
Front loading machines can generate mould quite quickly if they are left wet and closed for long periods. After each use, wipe out any excess moisture from the door gasket and then leave the door slightly open.
Rust
Can we prevent our appliances from the onslaught of rust? Probably not, but we sure can slow it down. One the major causes of a machine going to rust quickly is the over use of soap powder or liquid. This “over-sudding” causes great streams of soap bubbles to escape the tub and settle on the inside of the cabinet. We often find that a reported leak is nothing more than soapy water running down the inside of the machine. The answer is so easy. You only need a level tablespoon of powder or liquid in your wash. This ensures a good wash without the out of control soap bubbles!
Loading
Machines are designed for a certain load. Overloading will cause damage and limit the life of the machine. Keep within the specifications. It is often cheaper in the long run to take those heavy blankets and doonas to the launderette. After all, they generally get washed just at certain times of year. Why risk your machine by loading kilo’s above its rating?
Dryers
Venting
Dryers must have adequate air flow to ensure efficient operation. When a dryer cannot discharge the heat properly, it will over heat and cut out on thermal overload. Therefore when in use make sure that wherever it is installed that you have a window or door open.
Fire!
If you use your dryer quite often and it has not been cleaned out for a few years, then you could well have a fire hazard on your hands. The more often you use it, the faster the build up of fluff inside. We have seen dryers ignite because they have never been cleaned out. Do not attempt to clean it out yourself unless qualified to do so. But remember, it is much cheaper to keep your dryer safe and in good working order than it is to deal with consequences of a house fire.
Loading
Like all appliances, dryers have a load rating. Stay within the stated load and it will last so much longer.
Wet clothes
Dryers are designed to dry clothes after they have been spun dry. Do not put wet clothes into a dryer. Water and electricity do not mix!
Filters
Dryer filters are designed to capture the fluff generated during use. They really do need regular cleaning to ensure good air flow and to minimise the build up of fluff in the machine itself. Check the filter after every use. That is such a simple, but effective way of caring for your dryer and keeping it working to maximum efficiency.
Invitation
The above “handy hints” have been put together from years of experience with white goods and are general in nature. If though, you have other “handy hints” for care of your appliance, please feel free to e-mail them via this web site and they will be put on (with recognition of the author) for other people to learn from.