Start the year with simple appliance-care habits that reduce breakdowns, improve performance and cut wasted energy—ideal for UK homes.

The New Year is a brilliant time for small, realistic habits that make your home run smoother. Most appliance breakdowns aren’t “bad luck”—they’re often the result of build-up, blockages, overloading, or ignoring early warning signs.

Here are 10 simple resolutions you can actually keep. Pick three to start with and you’ll notice the difference.

Why it matters: Filters clog, airflow drops, water can’t drain properly, and components work harder than they should.

Do this monthly:

• Dishwasher filter (food debris)
• Extractor filters (grease)
• Tumble dryer filter (lint)
• Washing machine drawer/filter area (detergent sludge)

Why it matters: Limescale makes heating elements less efficient and can shorten appliance life.

Best targets: kettle, coffee machine, washing machine, dishwasher.

Habit: light descale on a schedule (monthly/quarterly depending on your water hardness and usage).

Why it matters: Overloading strains bearings, reduces cleaning, and can prevent proper spinning/draining.

Rule of thumb: leave space at the top of the drum (you should be able to fit your hand in comfortably).

Bonus: Use the right cycle for heavy items (bedding/towels), and avoid washing single bulky items alone where possible.

Why it matters: Poor airflow makes the compressor run longer, wasting energy and risking warmer temperatures.

Habit: once a month, do a quick check:

• Don’t block vents inside the fridge/freezer
• Wipe door seals clean
• Make sure the door closes fully every time

Why it matters: Grease and food residue builds up invisibly and causes smells, poor cleaning and drainage problems.

Habit:

• Clean the filter
• Check spray arms
• Run the hottest cycle empty with a proper dishwasher cleaner (or an approved method recommended by your manufacturer)

Why it matters: Smoke, smells, uneven cooking, and (in worst cases) flare-ups are often grease-related.

Habit: after heavy cooking, wipe down obvious splatter once it’s cool.

Quarterly: deeper clean around the door, seals, and accessible areas.

Why it matters: Coins, hair grips, screws and tissues can damage pumps/filters and cause blockages.

Habit: make “pocket check” automatic—especially with kids’ clothes and workwear.

Why it matters: Most major failures give you a warning phase—rattles, grinding, banging, burning smells, or repeated error codes.

Habit: if a noise persists for more than a couple of uses, investigate early (it’s usually cheaper and easier than waiting).

Why it matters: Lint reduces efficiency, increases drying times, and is a major safety risk if neglected.

Habit:

• Clean the lint filter every load
• Check the condenser/heat exchanger (if your model has one) as per manufacturer guidance
• Make sure the dryer has ventilation space

Why it matters: A quick professional check can catch failing parts, worn seals, weak heating, drainage issues, and safety risks before they become emergencies.

Habit: schedule a yearly check for your most-used appliances (often: washing machine, dishwasher, oven/cooker).

A simple 12-month habit planner (easy version)

If you want it dead simple:

• Monthly: dishwasher filter + dryer lint + wipe fridge seals
• Quarterly: descale + deeper oven wipe-down + washing machine drawer clean
• Annually: professional service/check on key appliances.

When to call for help (don’t wait)

Get advice/support if you notice:

• Burning electrical smell, sparks, scorch marks
• Repeated tripping at the fuse box
• Gas smell or unstable flames
• Persistent leaks, standing water, or grinding noises

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Hosting this Christmas? Use this UK appliance survival guide to keep your oven, hob, fridge/freezer and dishwasher running smoothly, plus quick fixes if something goes wrong.

Christmas is the one time of year your appliances don’t get a quiet moment. The oven’s on for hours, the hob is working overtime, the fridge is rammed, and the dishwasher is running back-to-back. A little preparation now can save a lot of stress later, especially when shops are shut and guests are arriving.

Here’s a practical guide to keeping the key appliances happy from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day.

You don’t need tools or technical know-how; just a quick once-over.

Oven

• Run it empty for 10 minutes at a moderate temperature. Any odd burning smells?  That’s often old grease, clean it now rather than mid-roast.
• Check the door seal (the rubber gasket). If it’s split or loose, heat escapes and cooking becomes uneven.
• Look for heavy grease build-up at the bottom and around the fan cover (if accessible). Built-up grease = smoke and poor performance.

Hob

• Gas hob: check burners sit flat and ports aren’t clogged. If the flame is yellow/orange, it may need cleaning/servicing.
• Electric/induction: wipe the surface and make sure pans sit flat (wobbly pans waste heat and time).

Extractor fan

• If it’s recirculating, clean or replace the filters (grease-laden filters struggle and can drip).
• Turn it on: if it’s loud or weak, filters are usually the culprit.

Fridge/freezer

• Check the door seals are clean and intact (a dirty seal won’t grip properly).
• Aim for about 3-5°C in the fridge and -18°C in the freezer.
• Give it breathing room: don’t block vents or cram food right up against the back.

Dishwasher

• Clean the filter (usually a twist-and-lift at the base).
• Quick rinse of the spray arms (poke food bits out of holes if needed).

Kettle/coffee machine

• If you’re in a hard-water area, descale now. Limescale slows heating and can shorten lifespan.

A few common habits create a lot of emergency problems:

• Don’t overload extension leads with kettles, air fryers, slow cookers and microwaves all at once. High-power appliances need safe sockets.
• Don’t put foil on the oven base (it can trap heat and damage the oven lining or elements).
• Don’t block the oven vents with trays or oversized roasting tins.
• Don’t put hot food straight in the fridge. It warms the whole cabinet and forces the compressor to work overtime.
• Don’t cram the dishwasher so tightly that spray arms can’t rotate (it leads to poor cleaning and trapped debris).

If you’re doing a big roast and sides, the oven is your “single point of failure”.

Best practices

• Preheat properly (especially for baking).
• Leave space around trays so heat can circulate.
• Use the middle shelf for most roasting; rotate trays halfway if you’re multi-shelving.
• Keep the door shut as much as possible, every peek drops temperature.

If the oven starts smoking

1. Turn it down and switch the extractor on.
2. Check if grease is dripping from a tray (use a deeper roasting tin).
3. If you’re using a high-fat roast, place a tray beneath to catch splatter.
4. If there’s electrical burning, sparks, or the smell is sharp/chemical: turn it off at the wall and stop using it.

At Christmas, fridges get stuffed and doors open constantly.

Simple rules that really help

• Let leftovers cool to room temperature before chilling (but don’t leave them out for hours. Portion and chill promptly).
• Store food in shallow containers so it cools faster.
• Keep air gaps because cold air needs to move.
• If the fridge feels warm: check nothing is preventing the door closing fully.

If your freezer drawer won’t shut

• Don’t force it. Warm air causes frosting and can damage the seal.
• Rearrange for closure, then keep opening to a minimum for a few hours.

Load smart

• Plates facing inward, bowls angled down.
• Don’t stack items so tight water can’t reach surfaces.
• Keep tall utensils from blocking the detergent hatch.

If dishes come out dirty

• Clean the filter.
• Check spray arms spin freely and holes aren’t blocked.
• Make sure you’re using the right programme (quick cycles struggle with heavy festive grease).

If it won’t drain

• Stop the cycle, switch off, and check the filter area for debris.
• If water is still sitting after a reset and you hear strange noises: it may be a pump or blockage issue.

Oven not heating

• Check it hasn’t tripped the fuse/RCBO at the consumer unit.
• If it’s heating weakly or unevenly, it may be an element/fan issue.

Hob not igniting (gas)

• Dry the igniter area (spills can stop ignition).
• If you smell gas and it won’t light: stop and ventilate, don’t keep trying.

Fridge getting warm

• Confirm temperature setting hasn’t been changed.
• Check the door is sealing and not held open by packaging.

Pause DIY and get professional support if you notice:

• Burning electrical smell, visible sparks, scorching or melted plastic
• Repeated tripping at the fuse box
• Gas smell, persistent ignition failures, or abnormal flames
• Leaks that won’t stop, or standing water with unusual noises

If you’d like a pre-Christmas appliance check or you’re dealing with an urgent breakdown, we can advise you on the safest next step and book a repair where appropriate. You can contact us about our Repair & Care option if your appliance is broken.

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Not many people know how to maintain their humidifiers, so here is our guide to keeping yours in tip top shape!

Running a humidifier may be an extraordinary manner to feature moisture to dry indoor air. But maintain in thoughts that grimy humidifiers can create a risky environment. Uncleaned machines can emit dangerous debris into the air. These can have an effect on your respiration fitness. 

Cleaning your humidifier frequently will lessen your threat of that hazardous debris coming into the air and your lungs. Keep reading to disprotect ways to keep your humidifier well maintained, whilst updating your humidifier, and what to recollect whilst shopping for a brand new one. Why you ought to ease your humidifier.

This technique also can launch different debris, together with microorganisms, moulds, minerals, and chemicals. The debris can be invisible to the attention or settle as white dirt in your room. Breathing in those factors can worsen your lungs. People with bronchial allergies and allergic reactions can be specially liable to undesirable debris in the air. But even the ones without those situations can broaden dangerous signs from a grimy humidifier. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, you can revel in flu-like signs or lung infections via way of means of walking a poorly maintained device.

Central humidifiers: 

These are set up with your HVAC system and and humidify your whole home.

Cool mist humidifiers: 

These consist of transportable impeller humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers that emit cool moisture.

Warm mist humidifiers: 

Like transportable steam vaporizers, those warm water after which cool it earlier than free it into the air.

Evaporators: 

These are transportable and less expensive and blow air at the water from a fan that releases via a wick, belt, or clears out.

Each humidifier has strengths, however, a few are more secure for positive conditions than others. Read extra approximate humidifier safety. There are numerous approaches to maintaining a humidifier easily.

You ought to rinse and dry out your humidifier each day and ease it extra deeply every few days. Always unplug your device earlier than cleansing. Follow those hints to keep away from undesirable debris coming into the air. Wash and dry the humidifier after every use. Empty out the humidifier’s water basin among every use. Rinse out this part of the humidifier with cleaning soap and water each day. Dry the basin on every occasion you update the water. 

Make certain the humidifier is unplugged earlier than cleansing it. Read the manufacturer’s instructions Before intending to deep cleanse your humidifier, first, seek advice from the manufacturer’s instructions. 

This will come up with the right steerage on the way to ease the humidifier in addition to whether or not positive components ought to be wiped clean or replaced. Permanently established humidifiers may also want to be serviced frequently via way of means of an expert or require unique care.

You may also need to apply a water and vinegar or hydrogen peroxide answer or any other manufacturer-endorsed cleanser every few days to clean the device out of ability toxins. The Environmental Protection Agency shows that a three percent hydrogen peroxide answer can be beneficial for cleansing purposes. 

Use a scrubbing brush to attain small regions of the device to make sure the whole tool receives wiped clean. Watch for scales or different build-ups while you are easy and make certain to clean away any of them. Thoroughly rinse the device out with water earlier than the use of it once more in case you use a cleansing answer.

Some humidifier components may also want to get replaced on an everyday basis. Central humidifiers and evaporators may also have filters to be updated regularly. The instruction manual of your humidifier should have a guide on how and when to remove and replace filters. Consider shopping for some extra filters to have available for smooth replacement.

Distilled water is basically freed from minerals and different substances that can go away deposits inside the humidifier and launch debris into the air. Before shopping for water, make certain to examine the label due to the fact now no longer all bottled waters are distilled. Keep the region across the humidifier dry.

Avoid mildew and any other build-up inside the humidifier via way of means of retaining the region surrounding the device as dry as feasible. Check upholstered furniture, rugs or carpet, and window remedies for moisture. Turn down, stop, or dispose of the humidifier from the region if the region is damp. Clean it earlier than and after storing. Make certain to deeply easy and punctiliously dry the humidifier earlier than storing the device for any duration of time.

Dispose of filters and different replaceable merchandise. Store the humidifier in a dry region. Clean and dry the tool once more whilst getting it out of storage.

Here are some things to keep in mind: 

Clean your humidifier on every occasion you operate, it’s far the pleasant manner to keep the device. 

Don’t permit the humidity to get above 50 percent in any room. To a great deal, humidity can foster mildew and microorganism growth. 

Use a hygrometer to degree humidity tiers. Empty, dry, and replenish your humidifier on every occasion you operate it. 

Use distilled water in your humidifier to lessen the unfold of minerals within the air. Stop the use of a humidifier straight away in case you broaden any respiration problems. 

You should buy a hygrometer for measuring indoor humidity tiers online. What would possibly symbolize it’s time to get a brand new one? Cleaning your humidifier frequently may also maintain undesirable debris and mildew growth, however, you ought to recollect changing poorly maintained humidifiers or vintage machines. It’s now no longer usually feasible to easy each a part of an unnoticed or growing old device. 

Additionally, in case you note mildew or scale on your humidifier and can’t dispose of it with a heavy cleansing, it’s able to eliminate it and get a brand new one.

When you buy a humidifier for your home, recollect the length of the room. Find a humidifier that works pleasantly in your space. 

Location of the humidifier:

Children shouldn’t be close to heat mist gadgets due to the fact they may scald or burn them whilst touched. Whether you may alter the humidifier’s mist level. Look for added capabilities that can healthy your needs, together with the capacity to alter mist tiers. 

The portability of the device:

Some humidifiers paintings for travel, whilst others can be too cumbersome to transport from room to room frequently. Customer critiques and purchaser ratings. Find out whether or not the humidifier is straightforward to easy and keep earlier than shopping. See what others have stated approximately it.

There are a whole lot of humidifiers to be had for buy that each one requires everyday cleansing. Ignoring ordinary upkeep may also position your fitness at threat due to the fact mildew, microorganism, and different debris can input the air and your body.

Consider changing vintage or unnoticed humidifiers. When deciding on a brand new humidifier, study the numerous alternatives to be had to pick the proper one on your needs. 

Contact your medical doctor straight away in case you note any respiration problems growing for the duration of humidifier use.

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Your dishwasher runs much better when clean, so here is a complete guide on how to deep clean your dishwasher.

Our dishwashers work tirelessly to ensure our dishes emerge spotless after every meal. However, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget that our dependable dishwasher needs a bit of care too. 

Regular cleaning not only extends its lifespan but also ensures best performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to keep your dishwasher in top-notch condition.

Before diving into the cleaning process, gather the necessary supplies. You’ll need white vinegar, baking soda, a toothbrush or soft brush, a microfiber cloth, and some elbow grease of course. These simple items will work wonders in restoring your dishwasher’s shine.

Begin by removing all dishes from the dishwasher. This will ensure you have a blank canvas and no dishes will get in your way while you clean.

Locate your dishwasher’s filter, found at the bottom, and clear away any debris or food particles. This simple act ensures that your cleaning efforts are focused on the machine itself, not the remnants of last night’s dinner.

While the interior is crucial, don’t neglect the exterior. Wipe down the front panel, controls, and handles with a mild solution of water and dish soap. This ensures a thorough cleaning and keeps the aesthetic appeal of your appliance.

Another thing you can do is use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the interior surfaces of the dishwasher. Pay special attention to the edges and corners where residue can accumulate. For stubborn stains, dip the cloth in a mixture of water and white vinegar.

Baking soda is a powerhouse when it comes to neutralising odours. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. This leaves your dishwasher smelling fresh and clean.

If you have it to hand – white vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can help remove mineral deposits and grease. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle without any dishes. This process will help eliminate any lingering odours and break down stubborn deposits.

Remove the dishwasher’s spray arms if possible and inspect them for any blockages. Clean out the spray holes using a toothpick or a thin wire. This step guarantees that water can flow freely, supplying an effective wash for your dishes.

To keep your dishwasher in top condition, the steps you can incorporate into your routine should be repeated once per month. Consistent maintenance prevents the build up of grime and ensures your dishwasher runs at peak efficiency.

Other ways you can keep your dishwasher in good condition are to be sure you clean it out regularly, you use rinse aid with every wash, and ensure the dishwasher salt levels topped up. Below are examples of the symbols for these functions, they aren’t completely standardised across brands, but they look similar from make to make. Generally, there will be a light indicator next to this symbol, which will flash or light up if you need to top up the relevant substance.

A clean dishwasher is not only a more efficient appliance but also a hygienic one. By dedicating a little time to its maintenance, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy spotless dishes with every cycle. Incorporate these simple steps into your routine, and your dishwasher will continue to be the unsung hero of your kitchen for years to come.

If your dishwasher is a bit worse for wear and could do with more than just a clean, don’t hesitate to book an engineer with us, so we can get it back running smoothly again.

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

While repairing and reusing your appliances is always the ultimate goal, there comes the point where they need replacing.

As one of the most valued appliances in the home, we rely on washing machines day-in and day-out to keep our clothes clean and fresh. Whilst appliances don’t last forever, some tend to break down more often than others and washing machines are the most common appliance in the home to malfunction. Giving your washing machine a little bit of TLC every now and again will go a long way to ensuring the least probability of a breakdown and we’ve provided some top tips for keeping your washing machine well maintained below:

A maintenance wash is a deep-cleaning cycle for your washing machine where you would add a cleaning solution in, typically in the form of a liquid or powder. This additive helps to get rid of any mould or bacteria that may have built up inside of the washing machine, drum or waste pipe. Most manufacturers sell their own cleaning solutions, although you can also find cleaning solutions in your local supermarket or make your own at home if you’re feeling crafty.

We would recommend putting your washing machine on a maintenance wash once a month to keep your washing machine running smoothly and smelling great. To run a maintenance wash, follow these simple steps:

• Empty out anything from the washing machine drum.
• Add the cleaning solution of your choice and make sure the correct amount has been added (refer to the instructions of the appliance for reference).
• If there isn’t a maintenance wash option on the machine, put it on cycle without pre-wash enabled. A ‘cotton’ wash is recommended if you don’t have a maintenance wash option.
• Put your wash on the hottest setting available.
• Start the wash cycle.
• When the cycle has finished, open the door, pull back any rubber seals and wipe away any remaining dirt, debris or water (this is the most common cause of unpleasant smells!). 
• Leave the door open until the washing machine has fully dried out.

Despite it being full of cleaning products each time you perform a wash, the detergent drawer can get dirty or clogged regularly if not maintained. To clean the drawer, simply pull it out of the machine and soak in a bowl of hot, soapy water and give it a good scrub. If you’re dealing with small parts, sometimes an old toothbrush is a great scrubbing tool to get the job done. If the drawer doesn’t come out of the machine easily, there will likely be a catch at the back of the drawer you may need to press down before the drawer can be released.

Most washing machines will also have a series of holes above the drawer itself that water is released from. This is often overlooked when cleaning the washing machine. Simply take a wash cloth or soft scouring pad and scrub any dirt or debris from this mechanism to keep the water flowing through freely and preventing any build up of detergent in the drawer.

Once you’re finished, simply pop the drawer back into the washing machine and you’re good to go.

Washing machine filters are designed to stop any debris, grit or small items from running out of the machine into the pipework of your house but they’ll need cleaning out evert 4-6 weeks to keep your machine running smoothly. 

The filter can be accessed by removing the small protect at the bottom of the machine and it’s typically a circular ‘bung’ that needs to be twisted to remove. There’s a good chance that water will leak out when the filter is removed so be sure to put down a couple of towels before you remove the filter. Once the filter is out, remove any small items from the filter and clean it by running it under hot water before putting it back in the machine again.

• Replace the water hoses
  • Water hoses behind the washing machine can deteriorate over time. We would recommend that these are checked regularly for bulging, cracking or leaks. If a problem is found, simply replace the hose.
• Move the machine
  • To prevent hoses from being damaged behind the machine, we would recommend that you leave around 4 inches (10cm) of clearance between the machine and the wall.
• Keep the machine level
  • Keeping the machine level can prevent noise or damage to your flooring. Most washing machines will have feet that can be adjusted by twisting them.
• Air the machine out
  • Once a wash cycle has finished, we would recommend keeping the washing machine door open to air the appliance out and help prevent the build up of mould and other bad smells.
• Measure your detergent
  • Adding too much detergent can quickly clog up the washing machine drawer. Refer to your appliance instruction manual to determine how much detergent and softener is needed for each wash.
• Don’t overload the machine
  • Whilst some machines will now weigh the load before the cycle begins, older washing machines will have a set amount of water released for each cycle and overloading the machine will be harder on the appliance and will also result in sub-par washes.
• Check your pockets
  • Lastly, make sure old coins, hair clips or any other pocket-junk are removed from clothing before you put it in the washing machine. These can lead to breakdowns and also clog the filter much more frequently.

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

While repairing and reusing your appliances is always the ultimate goal, there comes the point where they need replacing.

Like everything else in life, your vacuum cleaner will work most effectively with some regular TLC. Even bin trucks are cleaned on a daily basis, and the same applies to your vacuum cleaner. It’s one of the most hardworking tools in your house-cleaning toolbox.

Have you ever started vacuuming and then realised, to some annoyance, that the suction isn’t working properly and the area is no cleaner? blockages are the number one cause in a total loss of suction. Not only do they make your vacuuming job harder, they may cause your vacuum cleaner to rapidly overheat. For vacuums which use bags, not reusing bags will help prevent this as they can become clogged with dust and drastically reduce efficiency. 

This process is similar when it comes to bagless vacuum cleaners. All you have to do with bagless vacuum cleaners is to empty the canister every time you finish using it. The good thing about bagless vacuum cleaners is that most of them have a ‘maximum fill line’ to show how much dirt can be contained inside the canister. You’ll have to check this if your machine’s suction is poor.

Always make sure your vacuum cleaner is unplugged from the electrical socket before you clean the appliance. You can go further by checking the entrance to the machine by undoing the hose.

In order to remove any clumps of dust, you’ll need to find where your vacuum cleaner’s filters are located and proceed to tap your opened filter on a relatively hard surface. We recommend not doing it inside as you’ll be transported to a sand sandstorm in the Sahara Desert. 

On the other hand, if your filter is washable, then run it through warm water thoroughly, making sure to get all the nooks and crannies. Once completed, move it to a safe and quiet spot – away from children – and leave it to dry for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can put it back inside your machine.

Just like an artist makes sure his brushes are always in tip-top condition, you must do the same with your vacuum cleaner. Thankfully, just like putting paintbrushes in a cup of water and letting it soak, vacuum cleaner brush heads are super easy to clean. But, many people get it wrong!

If you see any hairs, threads, pieces of Legos stuck with glue from your little one, then get a nice pair of scissors and simply cut the threads preventing it from functioning properly. You might be wondering why we haven’t said to pull it out. Well, pulling threads has an extremely high chance of damaging your vacuum cleaner’s bristles. 

Most vacuum cleaners have little but visible indents to guide your scissors through the length of the head so that you don’t cut the bristles. And afterwards – if your vacuum cleaner’s brush head has no electrical elements – clean it under lukewarm water, making sure to massage the bristle in order to remove all the embedded dust, fibres, and those glue pieces of Legos. Once done, make sure to dry it for a minimum of 24 hours before fitting it back into your machine.

If you’ve recently turned your vacuum cleaner on and detect an unpleasant smell, then that usually means your cleaner has sucked in something it shouldn’t have. And sometimes, you don’t even have to turn your cleaner on to smell it.

Remove and change the bag, or for a bagless vacuum cleaner, empty the canister and wash away any residue. Allow the canister to dry for a minimum of 24 hours before reconnecting it to your appliance.

If your vacuum cleaner is not working properly or potentially completely dead, contact us about our Repair & Care options to see if we can help you out. We hope this article helped you with your vacuum maintenance! 

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

While repairing and reusing your appliances is always the ultimate goal, there comes the point where they need replacing.

After dashing out £200+ on a top-of-the-line air fryer and now fearing every time you cook some chips or bake some brownies it’ll malfunction or blow up, due to not knowing how to properly maintain your new appliance, you’ll therefore need a maintenance guide, breaking down paramount areas to keep an eye on. You’re in the perfect place!

An air fryer, just like pots and pans, should be cleaned after every use to avoid the scent of previously cooked foods and crumbs or gunk from the fat of chicken and other meats.

The most important part of an air fryer to clean is – depending on the type of air fryer – the basket, tray and pan. You don’t need any expensive equipment or follow any complex method to clean them. You can wash these by hand under the tap with fairy liquid or place them in a dishwasher depending on your model.

Since an air fryer doesn’t require any oil – or little at that – you don’t have to clean the exterior of the tray, as there won’t be any heavy oil residue on it – unless you accidentally used oil of course. If you feel like you need to clean the exterior after every use, then a simple wipe will do.

Although an air fryer doesn’t use or require any oil, its heating coil will need to be checked every few months for oil residue. If you notice some build-up or feel like you need to clean it out of habit, then a simple damp cloth will do the trick. However, make sure it’s fully dry before using it again.

As your air fryer comes with a non-stick coating, using sharp tools to remove dried food or congealed fat will only cause the coating to wear away as it’s incredibly easy to scratch at it. 

You also most not under any circumstance use disinfectant. Although disinfectant does remove odours, congealed pieces of food and any other types of food residue, it’s absolutely, under any instance, to use it on your tray. The chemicals in disinfectants are too strong to be used on areas such as plates, pots and pans – you don’t ever use disinfectants on these assets, do you? The same thing applies to air fryers. 

Instead, you can use sanitisers. However, make sure to check the label to see if the product is safe to use on food-contact surfaces. 

Before you wipe the body of your air fryer make sure it’s fully turned off and at neutral temperature, as to not shock yourself or short-circuit the unit.

Just like a brand new Ferrari about to be taken to the cleaners, an air fryer needs specific cleaning tools. Don’t fret, as it’s nothing expensive. In fact, you might have the tools at home already!

Step 1: Supplies

• You’ll need a non abrasive sponge, which given the name of it, is used on materials like fiberglass, metal, ceramics, glass and marble. Most if not every household has one hiding in the corner of a cabinet, but if not then you can buy a pack on Amazon very cheaply. 
• You’ll need a microfiber cloth for wiping away dirt, you likely have these too, but you can buy them cheap online if not. 
• A soft bristle scrub brush will be useful for getting dirt off while maintaining the surface from scratches. 
• Baking soda is a great cleaning tool and is a really effective abrasive, as well as a great natural deodoriser. 

Step 2: Cool Down the Air Fryer

• Before you roll up your sleeves and begin (gently) scrubbing your tray, you must first turn off your air fryer. 
• Unplug it and wait for it to cool down for 30 minutes. 
• Once it is cool, begin taking out all the removable parts of your fryer. 

Step 3: Clean Those Parts

• Squirt some soap liquid in a tub of water and begin washing the removable parts of the fryer. If there’s gunk or dried food on the parts, then let them soak in the soapy water for 10 minutes. 
• If there’s any difficult parts to wash which aren’t coming off, then use a cleaning paste of baking soda and water. Place the soda paste onto the soft bristle brush and begin scrubbing. 

Step 4: The Interior

• Now you can begin to wipe the interior using a damp microfiber cloth. 
• Afterwards, wipe any soapy remains off with a nice clean cloth. 

Step 5: The Heat

• Flip your air fryer upside down and wipe the heating element down using a damp cloth or non abrasive sponge.

Step 6: Exteriors Matter

• Much of the same with the interior, use a cloth or sponge with soap to wipe down the exterior gently.
• After this, wipe any remains of soap with a damp, clean cloth, then use a paper towel to polish the outside.

Step 7: Putting it Back

• Now wipe it down with a dry cloth and let it dry for an hour or so to make sure there is no moisture left on or in the machine. 
• Then assemble it back together and put it back, plug it in and voila! Your air fryer is now clean!

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Our guide to dishwasher maintenance to extend the life of your appliance.

You use your dishwasher every day, so it’s important you keep it well maintained and in good shape so it has a long life, and performs well for as long as possible. It’s worth following these steps on a monthly basis if you can, so your dishwasher is always in tip-top shape.

Your dishwasher should have a filter to stop your pipes from clogging up with food debris. After many washes it’ll become blocked up so it’ll need a rinse out so your dishwasher can continue to wash without spraying out dirty water.

The spray arms are one of the most important parts of your dishwasher and it’s easy for these to get blocked up by limescale or food, this would block the water from getting to your dishes. First, give them a scrub with a scourer to remove all the surface level dirt. Then to get into the spray holes, you can use a toothpick to unclog them. This should be done every 6 months to ensure the dishwasher remains efficient for as long as possible. 

The rubber seals on the doors stop the dishwasher from leaking water while on a cycle, so it’s important that you keep them clean to stop dirt breaking them down and letting water out. Just wiping them down with warm water and making sure there is no mould or dirt on there is a great way to maintain the seals for a long life of washing your dishes.

Running your dishwasher regularly will make sure it’s always ready for action, so make sure to use it once a week at the very least. This keeps the motor seals working, and keeps everything fresh for use. If you’re looking for more advice on how to troubleshoot common dishwasher faults, check out our article here.

While repairing and reusing your appliances is always the goal, there comes a point when they need to be replaced. We’re happy to help at any stage. 

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

The extractor fan may be one of the most neglected appliances in your kitchen, and it’s really important to keep it clean. Here’s our guide on how to clean your extractor fan.

Regular cleaning of your extractor fan is crucial to maintain its performance and prevent issues like poor air circulation, unpleasant odours, and even electrical faults caused by grease and dirt build up. Keeping your kitchen’s extractor fan clean not only improves air quality but also extends the life of the appliance. Follow these simple steps to ensure your extractor fan stays in optimal working condition, helping you maintain a fresh, clean kitchen environment.

Important: Before starting, ensure that the extractor fan is turned off at the switch. It’s also a good idea to lay down old newspapers or a sheet on the floor to catch any debris. Don’t forget to protect your mouth and hair with a mask or gloves for safety.

Start by unscrewing or unclipping the fan protector. It should slide off easily. Then, fill a bucket or container with warm, soapy water and place the protector inside to soak. This will help loosen any grime or grease that has built up.

Use a feather duster or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean behind the extractor blades. This is where a lot of dust and grease accumulate, which can affect the efficiency of the fan.

Take a sponge or cloth and dip it in soapy water to thoroughly scrub the inside of the extractor fan. Pay attention to any greasy spots or buildup on the fan blades, motor, and surrounding areas. Make sure to clean all accessible parts to ensure it’s sparkling clean.

Once you’ve cleaned all parts, allow the fan components to dry completely. Moisture left behind can lead to mold or mildew growth, which would defeat the purpose of cleaning the fan in the first place.

Finally, place the protector back onto the extractor fan and ensure it’s securely fixed. Turn on the fan to check its operation and enjoy a clean, well-maintained appliance!

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Did you know you can change your TV settings to optimise your picture and give yourself the best viewing experience? Here’s our guide on how to do just that!

So, you’ve just purchased a state-of-art 4K tv, but when you turn it on and start browsing Netflix or playing on that new PS5 or Xbox One X that was given to you at Christmas, something just doesn’t seem right. In fact, it looks suboptimal. That initial impression of it in the store. The incredible detail in the motion, the vibrancy of the colours, the perfectly dilated light. That almost magic hour first impression of it looked surreal. Then you start thinking it might all be a farce, a scam, and you’re the victim. When in fact, it has all to do with your tv settings.

Before we start, we must mention that although we go through most modern tv setting names, it won’t apply to every single tv. For example, one TV brand might apply “shadows” to something completely different on another brand’s settings.

I’m sure you know by the title what this section will be about. It’s the overall look and style of your TV. Your TV’s settings out of the box are called Standard, Vivid, Dynamic, Bright, Normal or something along those lines. 

Interestingly, this is the mode present in the store you bought it at and is usually the one which looks the worst at home. The reason for this is the use of “enhancing” settings, creating eye-popping colours and overly detailed images. Again, it’s that initial impression at the store that gets you. Only for it all to come crumbling down once at home. You ever wondered why they play specific nature-based videos on it? Well, because it’s ideal for that specific video, those specific colours, that specific lizard lying on that leaf. You’re not going to use a 6inch chef’s knife to spread butter on your toast. The same applies to TV settings. 

The first and best place to start is by changing the “Standard” mode to “Cinema”, “Movie” or “Filmmaker” mode. At first, it may seem redder or extremely warm. You might even think it’s looking suboptimal and somewhat distracting. But it’s actually showing more detail, closer to what the director intended and more realistic.

All modern TVs contain a certain setting allowing you to change the total light output of the TV. In your TV’s standard mode, if you’re liking most of the overall look but just want to dial the light down a bit then you can. This setting is extremely detrimental to your TV’s overall build, energy costs (if turned up too high), and your overall eye health, as it can cause eye strain. Have you ever tried staring at a neon sign? Yeah, it’s the equivalent of that. So, dialling it to a reasonable brightness is key.

External circumstances still make an impact on the resolution. If it’s a bright sunny day, then dialling the light output higher is ideal, if it’s night then dialling the light output down will ensure better resolution.

Just like blacklight, contrast is extremely influential in your overall viewing experience. Too high contrast, too bright the bright parts of an image or video will be. If you tried staring at a neon sign, then try again when it’s even brighter – you won’t even see the shape of the sign. 

Contrast doesn’t actually increase a video’s or image’s “brightness”, but instead it takes near-white details in sections of videos and makes the details completely white. 

If you want to calibrate contrast by eye, then make sure you’ve got a video that has plenty of shots of the sky, clouds, or just bright sections. Ideally, you want the image to be bright but not completely blown out with white light.

When it comes to brightness, you’re actually looking for darker images, as brightness regulates how much darkness is prevalent during a scene. So dark images and or films would be ideal when calibrating the brightness of your TV. If you’re a fan of horror films then we’d recommend sticking a Conjuring, Exorcist or The Ring on. 

What you’re looking for are objects, (large or small), which are present during a night-time scene or a darkly lit scene. Then once you’ve got it on, make sure that certain object is dark but still detailed.

Akin to contrast, sharpness doesn’t actually alter how sharp an image or video is: your TV’s set quality (4k, 8k) can’t change. Sharpness refers to the edges of an image or video. Most modern TVs refer to this as “edge enhancement”, which basically means your TV enhances an object’s edges. So, why not set it to the max? Well, because cranking it to max will only add more grain and ironically decrease detail.

A way of calibrating the sharpness would be to get up a 4K video and toddle your control up or down and see if it suits your liking. If done right, you’ll be able to see face wrinkles, beards, wrinkles on clothes, and every little detail you couldn’t before.

Have you ever been watching a movie and wondered why everything looked so smooth and shot on the latest iPhone? Or as most TV purists compare it to a soap opera? Well, the reason behind that will be that most modern TVs come with this setting turned on. The setting does exactly what it suggests: smooths motion out. Making everything look super smooth and most likely slightly off. 

If you’re a film purist then you’ll be more against this setting, preferring a more traditional ‘Film look’ as opposed to the supposedly ‘Soap opera’ look. 

Now you should be able to alter your TV’s settings and finally have it perfectly optimised.

If you own a home appliance, from kitchen gadgets to home tech, our standard Appliance Care Plan helps keep your equipment running smoothly. If you notice any faults, don’t worry with the optional Repair & Care upgrade, we can have an engineer out to you quickly.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.