Your appliance maintenance guide
Regular maintenance of your domestic appliances whether that be your washer dryer, extractor fan, fridge freezer, or vacuum cleaner, can make a big difference to their lifespan and can help reduce energy consumption and save money in the long term.
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You want your appliances to be as cheap to run as possible, so it's crucial to keep your filters clean. This can make a big difference to how efficient they are, therefore, our experts at Go Assist have been working hard to show you the best way to clean the filters on your extractor fan, washing machine, hoover, fridge freezer, and tumble dryer.
Extractor fans
Cooker hoods are renowned for getting clogged up with grease and dirt and it's hardly surprising given its prime use is to extract cooking steam and smoke. However, if it gets ‘clogged’ up with too much dirt it will struggle to circulate clean air, effectively wasting energy and not fulfilling the job you want it to. Therefore, our experts advise you should clean your extractor fan hood filters every 2 months.
You’ll find these filters directly in the middle of your cooker hood, remove them and then soak them in hot soapy water using a brush or sponge to help dislodge the grease, or perhaps run it through the dishwasher – but we advise you to run this on a solo cycle due to the excess grease that may come off the filters.
Then let the filters dry completely before placing them back in the cooker hood.
Washer Dryer
Washing machines are susceptible to a build-up of lint in the filter which then makes it harder for the washing machine drum to drain and spin, causing clothes to be wet at the end of a cycle. This may then cause you to have to put your washing on multiple cycles to properly dry. To prevent that from happening give your filter a clean every 6 – 8 weeks.
The location of a washer dryer filter may vary depending on the model, but it’s commonly found in the lower left-hand corner of the machine. Lay a tray on the floor and remove the access cover, take the cap off the hose and let water drain into the tray. Then put the hose back in its original position and unscrew the filter, removing any debris, and then give it a clean with warm water.
Vacuum cleaner
A dirty (vacuum cleaner) filter can cause a big reduction in the suction of your vacuum which makes hoovering the floor far less efficient, leaving residue of dirt. Our experts recommend you clean your filter once a month. Methods vary from machine to machine, but the best practice is to remove the filter, tap, and brush away to remove any excess dust, then run the filter under warm water and leave it to dry completely, then connect it back to your vacuum cleaner.
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer with a full filter will find it extremely difficult to dry your clothes, meaning it will be necessary to use longer cycles, exerting a higher energy output. Our experts recommend cleaning your tumble dryer filters after every cycle: remove the lint and wipe the filter with a damp cloth, alongside emptying the water tank.
Fridge Freezer
Although a fridge freezer doesn’t necessarily have a filter, there are other ways to ensure they run efficiently throughout the cost-of-living crisis. Our appliance experts recommend following all maintenance procedures mentioned in your manufacturer’s manual. These often include setting time aside quarterly to do a full defrost of your fridge and freezer. Once your appliance has defrosted ensure you clean the grime and dirt that will have accumulated from the condenser coil.
Ensure you never overstock your fridge, we understand how difficult it is to not do this during the festive season, but your fridge needs space to allow cold air to freely circulate through the interior of the refrigerator.
It’s a lot cheaper to take care of your appliances by cleaning their filters and maintaining them than it is to buy a new appliance well before their expected lifespan, but it should also help keep your energy usage down to a minimum during the cost-of-living crisis.
For more tips and articles on how to keep your appliances in tip-top shape before Christmas, check out our blog here.
