£500 – that’s what the average Brit spends on appliance repairs each year. But here’s the twist: most of these repairs could have been avoided with basic maintenance.
Your washing machine’s making odd noises. Your fridge isn’t cooling properly. And your dryer? It’s taking ages to dry your clothes. These daily disruptions aren’t just annoying – they hit your wallet hard and throw your routine into chaos.
But there’s good news. A few simple maintenance tricks can stop these headaches before they start. Better yet, these tips will cut your energy bills and keep your appliances running smoothly for years.
Regular maintenance isn’t just about preventing breakdowns. It’s about:
- Saving hundreds on emergency repair calls
- Cutting your energy bills by up to 30%
- Keeping your home safe from electrical faults and fires
- Adding years to your appliances’ life
Let’s talk numbers. A blocked washing machine pump repair costs around £150. The fix? A monthly 5-minute check could have caught the problem early. Or take your dryer – a clogged vent repair runs about £200, not counting potential fire damage to your home. A quick monthly clean would have prevented both the risk and the bill.
Here’s what proper maintenance does for your bank account:
A clean fridge uses 15% less electricity. Just dusting those coils twice a year could save you £45 on your annual energy bill. Your washing machine? Clean the filter monthly and you’ll cut its energy use by 20%.
Your appliances should last 10-15 years. Without maintenance, that drops to 5-7 years. Think about replacing your fridge freezer – that’s £800 you could have saved by spending 10 minutes each month on basic upkeep.
1. Clean Filters – Your First Line of Defence
A blocked filter makes your appliances work harder and costs you more. Here’s your room-by-room guide to filter maintenance:
Washing Machine
| Tumble Dryer
| Dishwasher
|
2. Keep Your Fridge Freezer Frost-Free
Frost build-up makes your freezer work overtime. Here’s how to defrost properly:
- Empty the freezer
- Switch it off
- Place towels around the base
- Leave the door open
- Remove ice chunks as they loosen
- Clean and dry thoroughly
- Switch back on
- Wait 1 hour before restocking
Quick tip: Place bowls of hot water inside to speed up defrosting, but never chip at the ice – you’ll damage the freezer walls.
3. Clean Inside and Out
Your appliances need a proper clean every 3 months:
Fridge
| Oven
| Microwave
|
4. Check Those Hoses
Burst hoses can flood your kitchen. Every 6 months:
- Look for cracks or bulges
- Check rubber seals aren’t perishing
- Tighten any loose connections
- Replace hoses showing signs of wear
5. Get Your Detergent Right
Too much detergent leaves residue that attracts dirt. For washing machines:
- Use 2 tablespoons for a full load
- Half that for half loads
- Skip fabric softener every third wash
- Use powder for whites, liquid for colours
6. Bleed Your Radiators
Cold spots at the top of radiators? That’s trapped air. To fix:
- Turn heating off
- Find the bleed valve (a small square bit at the top corner)
- Hold cloth underneath
- Insert radiator key
- Turn slowly until you hear hissing
- Close when water appears
- Check heating pressure
- Top up if needed
Appliance | Problem | Causes and Quick Fixes |
Washing Machine | Won’t drain | Causes: Blocked pump filter or kinked hose
Quick Fix: Check and clean filter, straighten hose |
Loud noises | Causes: Loose items or unbalanced load
Quick Fix: Remove small items from pockets, redistribute the load | |
Won’t spin | Causes: Door lock fault or overloaded
Quick Fix: Clean door lock, reduce load size | |
Dryer | Long drying time | Causes: Blocked lint filter or vent
Quick Fix: Clean both filter and vent duct Call a Pro: If vent needs professional cleaning |
Overheating | Causes: Poor airflow or faulty thermostat
Quick Fix: Clean all vents and filters Call a Pro:If still overheating after cleaning | |
Burning smell | Causes: Blocked vent or belt issue
Quick Fix: Clear vent immediately, check belt Call a Pro:Any burning smell that persists | |
Refrigerator | Poor cooling | Causes:
Quick Fix: Clean coils, check seal grip Call a Pro: If temperature won’t drop after cleaning |
Strange noises | Causes: Fan issue or uneven floor
Quick Fix: Level unit, listen for fan Call a Pro: If noise continues after levelling | |
Ice buildup | Causes: Door left open or seal failure
Quick Fix: Check seal, defrost fully Call a Pro: If ice returns within days | |
Dishwasher | Dirty dishes | Causes: Blocked spray arms or wrong cycle
Quick Fix: Clean arms, use hotter cycle Call a Pro: If problems persist after cleaning |
Leaking | Causes: Loose hose or door seal damage
Quick Fix: Tighten connections, check seal Call a Pro: Any floor-level leaks | |
Won’t drain | Causes: Food trap blocked or kinked hose
Quick Fix: Clean filter, check hose Call a Pro: If water stays after filter cleaning | |
Oven | Uneven heating | Causes: Door seal issues or faulty element
Quick Fix: Check seal, note cold spots Call a Pro:If food cooks unevenly after seal fix |
Door not closing | Causes: Hinge problem or seal damage
Quick Fix: Clean hinges and seal Call a Pro: If door doesn’t close properly | |
Burner won’t light | Causes: Blocked gas ports or igniter
Quick Fix: Clean ports, check igniter Call a Pro: Any gas smell or igniter fails |
Quick tip: Always unplug electrical appliances before any DIY fixes, and shut off the gas supply when working with gas appliances.
Safety warning: If you smell gas, spot burn marks, or see damaged wiring, call a professional immediately. Don’t attempt repairs on gas lines or electrical systems.
Some appliance repairs are perfect for a Sunday afternoon DIY session. Others need expert hands. Here’s your safety-first guide to both:
Safe DIY Repairs
These jobs need basic tools and common sense:
- Changing appliance filters and cleaning vents
- Replacing fridge water filters and light bulbs
- Cleaning coils, drums, and internal components
- Tightening loose handles and wobbly feet
- Unclogging simple blockages in filters
- Checking and cleaning door seals
When to Call the Experts
Gas Appliances
Any gas-related issue needs immediate expert attention. Warning signs include:
Never attempt DIY repairs on gas lines or connections. | Electrical Problems
Call a qualified electrician if you notice:
| Complex Mechanical Issues
Some jobs need special tools and know-how:
|
Finding a Trusted Professional
Book our Appliance Repair Services for reliable repairs that come with our rock-solid 12-month labour guarantee. Our qualified technicians handle all major appliance brands and models, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.
Want to know the cost upfront? Head to our get-quote for a no-commitment price based on your specific needs. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
You’re in safe hands with our professional team. Every technician is fully insured, factory trained, security checked, and based in your local area. We take pride in doing the job right the first time.
Modern appliances need more than just mechanical maintenance – their digital brains need regular attention too. Your smart fridge or washing machine runs on software that needs updating, just like your phone.
Check for software updates monthly through your appliance’s app. Open the app, look for system notifications, and download any pending updates. Keep the app itself updated too, as older versions might not communicate properly with your appliance.
Most smart appliance headaches stem from poor connections. If your smart oven or dishwasher keeps dropping offline, try moving your router away from metal objects and walls. Keep appliances within 30 feet of your router for the best signal. A Wi-Fi extender can help reach problem spots. When all else fails, reset both your router and appliance to refresh their connection.
Your smart appliances collect data to work better, but you control what they know. Review the privacy settings in your appliance’s app regularly. Switch off features you don’t use, and consider running your appliances on a separate guest Wi-Fi network. Always change default passwords, and turn off unnecessary data sharing.
A smart appliance working offline still functions normally – you’ll just miss out on the advanced features. Don’t let connectivity issues stop you from using your washing machine’s basic wash cycles or your oven’s standard cooking functions. Focus first on keeping the mechanical parts in good shape, then tackle any smart features that need attention.
Your appliance choices affect both your bills and the planet. Let’s start with energy ratings.
Energy Labels Explained
The new energy labels make more sense than ever, running from A to G, with A marking the most efficient appliances. This rating directly affects your wallet – take fridge-freezers as an example. An A-rated model typically costs £40 per year to run, while a G-rated one could set you back £120.
That £300 price difference between two appliances might seem steep at first, but it could save you £960 over eight years. When shopping for new appliances, look out for eco settings that reduce energy use, lower water consumption ratings, and heat pump technology in dryers. Variable power settings and auto-shutdown features also help trim your bills.
Getting Rid of Old Appliances
Your old appliances contain materials that need careful handling, from harmful gases to valuable metals. Instead of adding to landfills, Qeeper’s services include appliance disposal.
For working appliances, consider donation. Local charities often accept good-condition machines and pass them on to families in need. They’ll check them over and make sure they’re safe before rehoming them.
If you’re doing it yourself, find a local recycling centre that handles appliances. They’ll break down your old machine properly, recovering valuable metals and disposing of harmful materials safely. This process helps reduce waste and puts useful materials back into production.
Take photos of your model numbers and energy ratings before disposal. This information helps when choosing a replacement and shows you how far technology has improved. Your next appliance should be more efficient, saving you money from day one.
- “Vinegar is great for cleaning washing machines”. False. Vinegar can damage rubber seals and pipes. Use proper washing machine cleaners monthly instead.
- “More detergent equals cleaner clothes”. Wrong. Extra detergent builds up in your machine and clothes, making them dirtier. Follow the dosage guide on the packet.
- “Running appliances at night saves money”. Only true if you’re on a special energy tariff. Otherwise, your appliance uses the same power day or night.
- “Expensive cleaning products work better”. Not always. Basic bicarbonate of soda and warm water clean most appliances effectively. Fancy cleaners often just add fragrance.
- “Self-cleaning ovens need no maintenance”. The self-clean feature only tackles big bits. You’ll still need to wipe spills and check door seals regularly.
- “Freezers work better when full”. Partially true. A full freezer stays cold longer during power cuts, but overpacking blocks air flow and makes the motor work harder.
Remember: Good maintenance habits beat expensive products every time. Keep it simple, regular, and thorough.
Taking care of your appliances isn’t complicated. It’s about small, regular actions that save you money and hassle.
Start This Week:
- Clean one appliance filter
- Check your fridge temperature
- Look for any strange noises
- Write down the age of each appliance
Next Month:
- Set up a simple cleaning schedule
- Note down common problems
- Check hoses and connections
- Save our number – 0333 335 5172 – for professional repair services
The money facts are clear: spending 10 minutes each month on maintenance saves hundreds in repair bills. Your appliances will run better, last longer, and use less energy.
Why not start today? Pick one appliance and give it some attention. Your future self (and wallet) will thank you.
Got questions about your appliances? Get in touch with our team today for professional advice and smart solutions for your appliance problems.