As Brits head out on their holidays, appliance experts have shared a simple checklist of steps homeowners should complete before they go to ensure they don’t return home to smelly appliances that have unnecessarily used energy whilst they were away.
While switching off the lights and unplugging smaller electricals, like the kettle, may be the obvious steps before going on holiday, but what to do with larger appliances can easily be overlooked. Matthew Glynn, appliance expert from Hisense has shared a list of simple steps to avoid returning home to unpleasant odours from the likes of your dishwasher and to prevent larger appliances from wasting energy.
The pre-holiday appliance checklist
1. Clear out perishables before you go
This may be an obvious one, but it’s important to check the contents of your fridge and dispose of any food that is approaching the end of its shelf life before you depart. In particular, avoid leaving opened dairy products, meat, or fruit and vegetables that are already starting to turn, as these can quickly develop mould. A quick fridge clear out using any produce that is approaching its use-by before a holiday can save you from returning home to unwanted odours, as well as helping to avoid food waste caused by items spoiling while you’re away.
2. Keep your fridge between 3°C and 5°C
Even if your fridge is relatively empty, resist the temptation to increase its temperature to save energy. The recommended temperature range is between 3C and 5C, as bacteria is more likely to grow at temperatures above this.
3. Fill empty spaces with bottles of water
For an additional energy saving trick, fill some of the empty space in your fridge with bottles or jugs of water. Cold liquid retains its temperature better than empty air, which can reduce how frequently the compressor needs to switch on whilst you’re away.
4. Don’t leave laundry appliances sitting on standby unnecessarily
Washing machines and dishwashers don’t need to remain on standby while you’re away. Where accessible, these can be switched off at the socket before you leave rather than being left in standby mode.
Appliance checks to do once you return home
6. Give your fridge a fresh start
If your fridge has developed an unpleasant smell while you’ve been away, give the interior a thorough wipe down with an antibacterial cleaner. This can help remove bacteria and residue that may be contributing to unwanted odours and leave the appliance fresh for your next food shop.
7. Check your washing machine and dishwasher’s door seal
When you return, inspect the rubber door seal on your washing machine and dishwasher for black or green spots, discolouration, musty smells or moisture. Pay particular attention to the folds of the seal, where dampness and detergent residue can accumulate. It’s also worth checking the detergent drawer and filter areas for signs of mould or any residue.
8. Run a hot wash cycle
If your washing machine or dishwasher has been sitting unused for a couple of weeks, run an empty hot wash or drum clean cycle when you return. This can help remove detergent build-up, residue and potential mould, helping to keep the machine fresh and hygienic while allowing it to perform at its best.
Matthew Glynn, Senior Product Marketing Manager and Hisense says: “Before going on holiday it’s essential to take a few minutes to check your appliances before you leave to ensure they’re not using energy unnecessarily and that you’re also not going to return to any unpleasant smells. Simple things like making sure your fridge is at the right temperature and clearing out food that is nearing its use-by date can make a difference. Taking a little extra care with your appliances before and after a trip helps to keep them running efficiently. Most of these jobs only take a few minutes, but they can help prevent unwanted smells, mould and residue from building up while your appliances are sitting unused.”
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