Archive for Blog

How often should I be cleaning my washing machine?

Posted on by
cleaning washing machines

Yes, you do need to clean your washing machine!

It’s responsible for keeping all of your clothes clean, so it definitely needs some TLC of it’s own to be able to get that job done!

Dirt from laundry and detergent can build up as well as mould and mildew growing in the nooks and crannies. This can can clog the inside of your washing machines parts such as its pipes and inner mechanisms and cause them not to work effectively.

Combine this with the hot and humid environment of the washing machine and you have a breeding ground for bacteria!

As a general rule, you should clean both the inside and outside of your washing machine at least monthly, however giving it a weekly spruce certainly won’t hurt and will make the monthly clean quicker!

How to clean your washing machine

Weekly

Every time you use your washing machine, keep the lid or door open to allow the drum to fully dry. Remove any lint or build up inside the drum as you empty each load.

Monthly

Once a month you should run an empty load with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to sanitize the drum and kill any germs. Add some bi-carb to give it a deep clean. If your machine is particularly dirty or you haven’t cleaned it for a while, or EVER! Pause the wash once it’s swished around a few times and let the machine soak for 1-2 hours before continuing. Repeat if necessary.

Protecting your clothes and your health means keeping your washing machine clean

So yes, it may be another chore – but add cleaning your washing machine to your to-do list!

 

Posted in Blog tagged with , , ,

Do you have a noisy washing machine?

Posted on by
noisy washing machine

Washing isn’t the most pleasant of chores at the best of time however if you have a noisy washing machine it can sound like it is about to explode.

This can make the task of doing the laundry even more unenjoyable, especially if you have to endure the noise load after load!

Reasons your washing machine could be noisy:

  • Wonky feet. The feet of your washing machine should be level and firmly sitting on the floor. If they are wonky, the nuts may need tightening. This simple fix could rectify a heap of problems that could be contributing to the noise of your washing machine due to being unbalanced.
  • Unbalanced loads. Clunk clunk clunk – sound familiar? Heavy items such as towels or bedding can cause problems if washed alone. They can tend to stick to one side of the drum as they absorb water, which makes the load unbalanced, and the spin very loud and clunky. Try to wash heavy items together so that the drum is balanced out.
  • An unidentified item. If something has come loose in your washer, such as a buckle or a button, it could be banging around in the drum and making a racket. Be sure to check pockets before washing and also the drum at the end of a cycle to see if anything has come loose.
  • Faulty parts. Your washing machine has many parts; belts, pulleys, pumps, motors, bearings. Over time these parts can be subjected to wear and tear from everyday use. If any part of the machine is faulty it can make for an extremely noisy spin cycle and it likely won’t be long until the machine fails.

Try running the machine on an empty cycle to see if the noise is due to the machine itself or possibly a specific laundry load (such as heavy items). Try to take note of which part of the cycle the noise occurs as this may help a professional determine what the issue is later.

If there isn’t anything noticeably wrong but your washing machine is making a racket it’s time to call a professional such as Bayside Appliance Repairs.

It could be that a complicated part needs replacing or something as simple as a screw that needs tightening!

 

Posted in Blog tagged with , , , ,

Buying a new refrigerator? 5 things to consider

Posted on by
buying a new fridge

The fridge is one of the most used household appliances, and one of the most loved – keeping all of your favourite food fresh!

When you need a new fridge, there are some things to think about. A fridge is an investment that should last you for many years to come.

5 things to consider before purchasing your new refrigerator

  1. Fridge capacity. What size fridge do you need? This is the most important question! Your fridge size should be relative with your household size. A fridge that is packed with food won’t work effectively and a fridge that is understocked will use excess energy.
  2. Energy rating. Your fridge is on for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. How energy efficient it is, is important to the environment and your bank account! Look for 5 star energy efficiency rated fridges to keep your power usage as efficient as possible.
  3. Who is using the fridge. Fridge freezers come in various formations, French door, top mount, bottom mount. If anyone in the house suffers from back pain then bending down to open a drawer may not be suitable and a French door option might make more sense.
  4. The fridge space. Make sure you measure the space your fridge is going to go, height and depth. There is nothing worse than ordering a new fridge to find it won’t fit. Be mindful of space to open the doors too and which way they open.
  5. The finish of your fridge. Stainless steel, classic white, a bright colour or black? The finish of your fridge should suit the décor (and future décor) of your kitchen and home. A stainless steel fridge is timeless and will suit most kitchens, whereas a bright coloured fridge may not suit future renovations.

Once you have decided on the basics, it’s time to go shopping! With so much choice, you are bound to find a fridge that ticks all the boxes for your household.

 

Keyword: new refrigerator

Meta description: When you need a new refrigerator, there are some things to think about. A fridge is an investment that should last you for many years to come.

Tags: new fridge, what size fridge do I need, energy efficient fridge, buying fridge online

 

Posted in Blog

How often should I clean my fridge?

Posted on by
  • Swipe daily – clean up any spills or leaking fluids straight away to avoid contamination.
  • Cleanout weekly – every week you should throw away anything that is past its use by date. Mould and bacteria can quickly spread and cause fresh food to go off very quickly.
  • Deep clean seasonally – at the start of every new season (approx. every 3 months) give your fridge a deep clean.

How to deep clean your fridge

Take everything out

Take everything out of your fridge. Cleaning your fridge shouldn’t take too long but if you think you might be distracted then use an esky to keep any perishables cool.

Get rid of any nasties

If you find something that you can’t even tell what it is, it’s time to throw it away. Check the use by dates of open jars and throw away anything that is out of date. If you have heaps of veggies that are almost on the brink of death, think about cooking up a stir-fry or a soup.

Remove and clean the shelves and drawers

Carefully remove the shelves and salad drawers and wash with warm soapy water. Your salad drawer is often the dirtiest place in the fridge so give this extra attention! Once finished, stand them up, by the time they are ready to go back in they will be dry.

Clean everywhere else

With the shelves removed you’ll easily be able to reach the fridge cavity. Using soapy water, wipe down the inside of the fridge. Finish by wiping with a clean cloth to remove any soap.

Put everything back

And add a fresh, open box of baking soda. Place it in a corner of the fridge or on a shelf, this will keep any smells at bay as baking soda acts as an odour neutraliser, keeping things fresher for longer.

Return everything to the fridge

Wipe down any condiments so everything is going back in the fridge clean. Organise things so that items that need to be used sooner than others are more visible.

Keyword: clean my fridge

Meta description: Swipe daily, cleanout weekly and deep clean seasonally. These timeframes should keep your fridge and it’s contents fresh!

Posted in Blog tagged with , , , ,

Maintaining your ice maker / water filter in your refrigerator

Posted on by
Maintaining your ice maker / water filter in your refrigerator

If you have invested in a plumbed fridge with an ice maker, then fresh cold water and ice is obviously important to you.

There is nothing more refreshing on a hot Queensland day than cooling down with an icy cold beverage. Water from the tap sometimes just doesn’t cut it when it comes to cooling down and staying hydrated!

Here are some tips to make keep your ice maker and water filter in tip top condition:

Change your filter

Most refrigerators have an indicator light that will let you know when your filter is due to be changed. On average this is approximately every 6 months. Water filters keep your water fresh, if you notice your water tasting unusual then it is likely time to change the filter.

Clean your ice maker

Bacteria and dirt can build up which can slow down efficiency, cause damage to parts and can be harmful to your health.

Minerals can stick to the ice cube moulds as they freeze. Eventually these deposits can break down the coating of your ice moulds and damage the ice production.

To clean your icemaker, first turn it off then remove as many of the elements of the machine as you can – without having any issue putting it back together. Wash and sanitise everything that you can reach. This process should be done at least annually, if not more often!

Get rid of smelly ice

If you’ve stored something stinky in the freezer, the ice will likely have absorbed the smell. This smelly ice will contaminate new ice. If you notice your ice smelling funky, get rid of all the ice (and the smelly substances in the freezer!) and start again.

Turn off your ice maker

If you don’t need ice, then turn the ice maker off. This should be as simple as pressing a button. Keeping an icemaker running all of the time decreases its life expectancy.

It is important to properly maintain your fridges ice maker and water filter to achieve optimum performance.

 

Keyword: water filter

Meta description: Here are some tips to make keep your ice maker and water filter in tip top condition so you can enjoy cool refreshing water and ice all year round!
Tags: water filter, how often do I need to replace water filter in fridge, cleaning ice maker

 

Posted in Blog
« Older Entries