Best Tips For Maintaining Appliances After The Holiday Season

With the holiday season officially over and school and work back in operation, now’s the perfect time to tackle the clean up. Around the home, cleaning your surfaces and washing laundry comes easy, however oftentimes your home appliances get forgotten. As they run daily (in the case of fridges), a few times a week (like your ovens and dishwashers) or on the odd occasion (BBQs), all your major home appliances deserve a bit of TLC after all the entertaining, parties and days at home. In the below guide, we share some of our best tips to help you maintain your home appliances.

1. Deep Clean Your Fridge

1. Empty & Clean The Inside: Summer’s higher fridge use calls for a clean. Empty out the fridge, toss expired items, and wipe down all interior surfaces and removable parts with warm, soapy water.
2. Wipe Down & Inspect The Outside: Clean the fridge’s exterior, including the handles. Check door seals for tightness and clean condenser coils (back or bottom of the fridge) for better efficiency.
3. Manage Filters & Dispensers: If your fridge has a water and ice dispenser, now’s the perfect time to give the tank and filter a clean. If the water filter is close to its replacement date, order a new filter or change it.

Looking for a bigger fridge to store everyone’s favourite foods?

Perfect for families and entertainers is Haier’s 623L Quad Door Fridge (HRF680YPC) which boasts a customisable Switchzone™ compartment that enables simple adjustments to suit changing needs, with a variable temperature range between -18°C to +5°C . The fridge’s plumbed-in water dispenser and automatic ice maker assists with on-demand hydration while compatibility with the SmartHQ™ app delivers remote monitoring and control. Rated with a high 4.5-Star Energy rating, this Haier 623L Quad Door Fridge in Black ensures the best of storage, personalisation and energy efficiency that is gentle on your wallet and the environment.

2. Tackle the Dishwasher

All that summer entertaining is likely to put your dishwasher to work. Make sure your dishwasher is ready to perform well when you give it its own makeover. Clean the filter regularly, making sure to remove any food debris. Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle with a specialised cleaner to remove buildup of hard water and detergents. Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior of the dishwasher and check the spray arms for any blockages for maximum cleaning performance.

In need of a spacious and efficient family-friendly dishwasher?

Say hello to Beko’s 60cm Freestanding Dishwasher (BDF1640DX) – this Dark Stainless Steel dishwasher is ideal for growing households thanks to its large 16-place setting. There’s 8 wash programs to suit every load, including Auto, Intensive 70°C and Eco 45°C. For greater peace of mind, the Hygiene Intense function uses hot temperatures and steam to kill bacteria and viruses from dishes. This Beko dishwasher also features an adjustable basket system, intuitive touch controls and 24-hour time delay. The dishwasher’s high 5-Star WELS and 4-Star Energy rating means washing doesn’t have to come at a price of the environment, promoting greater efficiency within the kitchen.

3. Refresh Your Cooking Essentials

After all the barbecues and summer cooking, your oven, cooktop and BBQ are probably in some need of attention and care. Below, we share best cleaning tips to help you tackle maintenance of your cooking essentials:

Cleaning Your Oven

Give your oven a thorough clean either by manually cleaning with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth or run the oven’s self-cleaning cycle if there is one. Don’t forget to wipe down both sides of the oven’s door for a spotless clean!

Looking to upgrade your oven in time for your next event?

Westinghouse’s 60cm Pyrolytic Oven (WVEP6717DD) will delight! With its 80L cooking capacity and 10 multifunction programs, this oven is ready to help you bake, grill, roast and air fry your favourite foods. The oven’s EasyBake +Steam cooking function will work wonders for succulent roasts and soft cakes while the Air Fry function lets you indulge in fried food without the guilt. Finished in modern Dark Stainless Steel, this oven boasts the self-cleaning PyroClean program, so all you have to do is wipe down the ash after the cycle is done!

Wipe Down Your Cooktop & Rangehood

Care for some of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen: the cooktop and rangehood! Wipe down your cooktop thoroughly, removing any grease or spills. If you have a gas cooktop, clean the burners and igniters and if you’ve got induction or ceramic cooktops, use a suitable cleaner and cloth to avoid scratching the surface.

Now it’s time to tackle another kitchen workhorse: the rangehood! First, give the exterior a good wipe-down to banish grease and grime. Don’t forget the underside! If your rangehood has removable filters (mesh or baffle), soak them in hot, soapy water, or even run them through the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe. For tougher grease, a degreaser might be your new best friend. Once clean, rinse and dry thoroughly before popping them back in.

Does your cooktop and rangehood need an upgrade?

Westinghouse’s 60cm 4-Zone PowerLite Induction Cooktop (WHI642BE) offers a seamless upgrade to induction cooking, fitting existing setups with compatible wiring. Its four zones, PowerBoost function, and intuitive Touch and Slide controls provide precise and rapid heating. Its Hob2Hood technology also integrates with compatible rangehoods for automatic ventilation as you cook. The cooktop’s easy-clean ceramic glass surface ensures lasting beauty that’s simple to maintain.

Upgrade to a bigger rangehood to effectively extract with Westinghouse’s 86cm Integrated Rangehood (WRI815SC). Finished in Stainless Steel, this rangehood effectively removes smoke, odours and heat with its 3 dishwasher-safe filters, 3 fan speed levels and maximum 680m3/hr extraction rate. Designed to be seamlessly concealed within your kitchen cabinetry, this Westinghouse rangehood is the perfect match for any kitchen.

4. Dust off Your BBQ

Let’s get your BBQ gleaming! After each use, give the grates a good scrub with a wire brush to remove any stuck-on food. For a deeper clean, especially before storing, remove the grates and wash them with hot, soapy water. Don’t forget to empty the grease trap regularly! Wipe down the exterior of your BBQ with a damp cloth, and for stainless steel, use a dedicated cleaner to keep it looking its best. If you have a gas BBQ, check the burners for any blockages and clean them as needed. View our comprehensive BBQ cleaning guide for detailed instructions.

Thinking of Investing in a New BBQ for Next Summer?

Beefeater’s Signature ProLine 106cm 6-Burner Built-In BBQ (BSH158SA) is sure to impress family and friends. Featuring six burners, a cast iron grill and hotplate, cooking up a storm and entertaining will be a breeze with this Beefeater Signature ProLine™ BBQ. The BBQ also boasts an oil management system and an intensive cleaning cycle that will make future care and maintenance effortless! Designed for permanent, built-in installation in an outdoor kitchen, this Beefeater Signature ProLine™ BBQ is one to love!

5. Freshen Up Your Washing Machine

Summer’s increased laundry load, combined with humidity, can sometimes lead to musty odours in your washing machine. A simple cleaning routine can help eliminate those smells and keep your washing machine running smoothly:

1. Empty and wipe: Clear out the machine and give the drum, door seal, and dispenser a good wipe-down.
2. Vinegar cycle: Run an empty hot water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the dispenser.
3. Clean and air: Thoroughly clean the dispenser under warm water, removing any residue and leave the door open after the cycle to air it out and prevent moisture buildup.

Looking to Upsize Your Laundry’s Washing Capacity?

Fisher & Paykel’s 10kg Front Load Washing Machine (WH1060SG1) will please. This family-friendly 10kg Front Load Washing Machine features 14 wash cycles, with the likes of Quick 15, Wool, Sports and Allergy ready to meet any laundry need. Meanwhile, it’s Steam Refresh cycle refreshes, revives and dewrinkles garments; perfect for lightly soiled items. Enjoy laundry convenience with the automatic detergent dispensing and Add a Garment function. Remote control can also be enjoyed with the washing machine’s Wi-Fi connectivity. Powered by the durable SmartDrive™ motor with a high 4.5-Star Energy and WELS rating, this efficient washing machine is one to have!

6. Check and Clean Small Appliances

Don’t forget the smaller appliances that get used during summer. Clean your blender, food processor, coffee machine, ice cream maker, and any other appliances you used for summer treats. Disassemble them as much as possible (following manufacturer instructions) and clean all parts thoroughly. Store them properly once they’re clean and dry.

Future-Proof Your Home Appliances

And there you have it – a complete guide to post-holiday appliance maintenance! By giving your fridge, dishwasher, cooking essentials, BBQ, washing machine, and even small appliances some much-needed TLC, you’ll ensure they run efficiently and last longer. Remember, a little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your home running smoothly. Ready to upgrade any of your appliances? Check out our recommendations from top brands like Westinghouse, Beefeater, Fisher & Paykel, Haier and Beko. Sign up to our newsletters for more lifestyle inspiration and the latest home appliance news.

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