Nobody likes when a home appliance fails on them – it can be a costly inconvenience! Fortunately, our SweepStars have some tips to ensure that you get the most use out of your appliances for many years to come.
Avoid inconveniences and save money by following these simple hacks to make your home appliances last longer …
1. Avoid overloading your washing machine
When it comes time to do the laundry, it’s all too tempting to cram in as much washing as possible. After all, anything less than a full load is a waste of water and energy (sometimes even time). But when you overload your machine, you place a strain on it and ultimately shorten it’s lifespan.
A good rule of thumb for front loaders is that you should be able to fit a fist in at the top of the load. For loads containing highly absorbent towels, you may want to leave a little more room.
If, on the other hand, you’ve got a top loader, you can use the agitator as a guide. As long as your load doesn’t reach past it when dry, you should be safe.
2. Bring in the vacuum for your tumble dryer
In a country with as many days of sunshine as South Africa, tumble dryers seldom get as much use as they do in countries where rain is more common.
That said, when the rainy season hits, it can be a life-saver! This is especially true for the Western Cape, where the rain tends to set in during winter, making it even more difficult to dry clothes.
The last thing you want is for your dryer to go on the fritz just before a massive cold front.
Typically, this happens because the machine burns out, often through lint accumulation.
Now, most tumble dryer owners knows to remove the lint from the trap in the front door but what you might not know is that link also accumulates at the back of the drum. Here, you can expand the life of your tumble dryer by vacuuming the drum, use 1 of the smaller hose attachments on your vacuum cleaner.
3. Empty or change the bags of your vacuum cleaner regularly
While we’re on the topic of vacuum cleaners …
It can be all too easy to use it mindlessly without giving any thought to when you last emptied or (even) changed the bag. And that’s a big mistake!
A full bag is much harder on your vacuum cleaner, increasing the likelihood of it burning out. Ideally, you shouldn’t let the bags get half full before emptying it.
It is also wise to pick up any large items (such as small change or paper clips) and throw it away before vacuuming.
Remember: a vacuum is primarily there to suck up dust, not general mess that’s accumulated on the floor.
4. A little vinegar goes a long way for your dishwasher
A dishwasher is generally a blessing to anyone who owns one. Used properly, it can also save you water and energy (and time).
The downside though, over time, your dishwasher could start to smell. While all the usual things like cleaning out the filters and wiping down the door seals can help, sometimes more drastic action is needed.
Here, as in many domestic situations, vinegar can come to the rescue.
Simply add a cup of vinegar to the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run it for a full cycle. This will clean out any old food particles and ensure that your dishes emerge from future washes smelling clean and fresh.
However, use this method a caution and only when really necessary in water restricted areas/periods.
5. Your iron needs more cleaning than you think
Another appliance that benefits from the occasional use of vinegar is your iron.
If you notice any hard water build-up in the water chamber, simply pour white wine vinegar into the chamber. Thereafter, turn it on high and let it sit for 3 to 6 minutes – turn it off, unplug it and pour out the vinegar. From there, let it cool down and air dry before refilling it with clean water to rinse.
This build-up can also be avoided by regularly cleaning your iron.
After each use, be sure to drain the water from the reservoir and wipe down the entire iron, including the cord, with a clean damp cloth. Then use a clean dry cloth to dry the iron and store in a cool dry place.
It might seem like a bit of a pain but it’s a lot less annoying than buying a new iron every time. Right?
We love reading about your tips and tricks too so if you’ve got a home appliance hack that we might have missed, let us know about.
