Mistakes that reduce the life of household appliances

Most household appliances fail before their potential lifespan. The common reason is that consumers are lazy to read the instructions and use them incorrectly.

Bright Side experts have listed the mistakes people often make with household appliances, and given recommendations for their proper use.

Washing machine

Do not place heavy objects on the washing machine, or stand on it.

When putting clothes in the washing machine, don't forget to check the pockets. Leftover cards, keys, lighters... can damage the washing machine during the washing process.

Be sure to use detergent and fabric softener specifically designed for washing machines. Hand washing detergent creates more suds than machine washing detergent, and using hand washing detergent can cause suds to overflow and damage the machine.

Don't forget to wipe down rubber parts and drawers after each wash, to prevent the chance of mold growing in the machine.

Remove clothes from the machine immediately after the wash cycle is complete. Leaving large amounts of damp clothing in the machine for long periods of time can damage the machine.

If your washing machine doesn’t have a self-cleaning cycle option, clean it manually once a month. Run the machine empty, select the hottest wash cycle, and rinse. Add a little lemon juice, vinegar, or laundry detergent to the detergent dispenser.

Fridge

The first step in properly storing your refrigerator should be taken even before you bring it home. The refrigerator should be transported upright, tilted no more than 40 degrees. Otherwise, the compressor oil inside can leak out and damage the entire system.

Plugging in the refrigerator immediately after moving it can cause oil to leak. If you are sure the refrigerator was not tilted during transport, wait 4-6 hours before plugging it in. If you suspect the refrigerator was tilted, wait 15 hours.

Putting hot food in the fridge is bad for the fridge. It's best to let it cool before putting it in the fridge.

Modern frost-free refrigerators do not require defrosting as often as older models, but they still need to be cleaned regularly. When cleaning, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power source.

Forgetting to clean behind the cabinet is also a cause of premature cabinet damage. You can use a vacuum cleaner to avoid moving the cabinet. And of course, when cleaning behind the cabinet, you also need to unplug it.

Electric pots, rice cookers, slow cookers

Putting dirty and wet pots in electric cookers will make the pot break down faster.

Not wiping the inside lid of the pot after cooking can cause moisture, grease, and leftover food to accumulate there, causing mold and causing the pot to deteriorate quickly.

Using a pot as a sink to wash rice or other grains can scratch the inside surface and bottom of the pot. For the same reason, use a soft sponge when washing the pot, never use a metal scouring pad.

Putting too much food will overload the pot. It is best to put just below the max level marked on the pot.

Microwave oven

When heating lightweight foods, add a cup of water. The water will absorb some of the microwave radiation, making cooking and heating more efficient.

Avoid stacking items on top of the microwave. If you must stack items, make sure they do not block the microwave's ventilation slots.

Never turn on the microwave without anything inside as this can damage the magnetron (the part that emits the microwaves).

Avoid putting too heavy items in the microwave (you can read information about the maximum weight allowed in the microwave in the instruction manual).

Do not use crockery as it may cause an explosion in the oven.

Do not heat items longer than necessary.

Wipe away food and grease spills in the oven with a soft cloth.

Blender

Do not blend foods that are too hot, such as those that have just been cooked. Wait until they have cooled down, to about 70-80 degrees Celsius.

Make sure no liquid or water gets inside the blender motor. When cleaning the blender, use a soft, damp cloth and wipe the outside clean.

Do not turn on the engine for too long as it may cause the engine to overheat and break down.

Do not use a blender to chop dry ingredients, such as crackers.

According to VNE