How Often to Clean Kitchen Appliances and When to Replace Them
We are privileged in modern times to have kitchens stocked with all kinds of gadgets that make cooking less of a chore. They help us keep food fresh for longer than ever, as well as cook and clean more easily. However, even these amazing appliances experience wear and tear, and eventually, they will no longer work.
Sometimes the items just need a good clean or a service, but other times it’s better to replace them altogether. How can you tell? We’ll get to that later in this article, but first, we’ll look at how to make your white goods last as long as possible.
The number 1 thing to maximise appliance lifespan
Whether you’re talking about man or machine, prevention is better than cure. Avoiding problems is a lot easier and much better for the health of your kitchen appliances in the long run. The absolute number one thing you can do to prevent problems in all of them is to keep them clean. This includes items that clean other things, such as your dishwasher and washing machine.
How often to clean your major appliances
Cleaning your appliances does not only mean giving them a quick wipe down after use. You also need to schedule regular thorough cleanings too – at least once a month for your washing machine and dishwasher, and once a year minimum for your oven and fridge.
Regular cleaning makes it easier for professionals to diagnose problems if they do happen, and it will also help you to notice when your appliances are not working as smoothly as they should be. This could be an early warning sign that something is wrong.
When to replace them instead
Replacing kitchen appliances often requires considerable effort and money. It’s important to make sure you really need to do it. Either check with a professional or check if your appliance is near the end of its expected lifespan. Below are the average lifespans of some common appliances:
Refrigerator
A brand-new fridge should last 10-12 years. Some signs that things are going wrong include excessive heat at the back, the presence of water droplets or mildew, and food rapidly spoiling inside.
Oven
You can expect electric ovens to last around 15 years, and gas ones a little longer. Unresponsive buttons and taking lots of time to heat up are signs that something is wrong. If your oven is over ten years old and you spot these signs, it’s time for a replacement. Damaged ovens can be dangerous, so take no chances.
Dishwasher
It’s good to rinse your dishes before putting them in your dishwasher, but if you find yourself needing to thoroughly clean and scrub them yourself, then your dishwasher could have a problem. If it’s approaching 10 years old, it might be time for a new one. Strange noises, leaks, and funny smells can also indicate problems.
Conclusion
To benefit the most from your kitchen appliances while also making sure they remain safe for use in their home, it’s important to keep them clean and remain vigilant of any problems that they have. While they can often be fixed, all appliances have a usable lifetime. If they’re near the end and are playing up, get them replaced.
