9 incorrect ways of using household appliances that will compromise their functions and performance
All household appliances are sold with instruction booklets which, over time, get put in the back of some drawer and forgotten. It is true that we are talking about appliance that we use daily and which we believe we have fully mastered.
But it is also true that every brand and every appliance has its own characteristics and that using appliances without respecting their limits, can cause problems. We should all probably pay more attention to the characteristics of each appliance and clean and maintain them as instructed in their manuals.
Improper use and failing to clean and maintain an appliance properly can lead it to fail. Here are some common oversights that you might benefit from knowing about:
Not removing the crumbs that fall into the inside of the toaster will compromise its operation, especially in the long run. It is good practice to remove the bottom drawer frequently and empty it. And it is good idea not to shake the appliance to get any remaining crumbs left inside. The best thing to do is to remove the drawer and clean the inside of the toaster with a clean brush.
There are many who rinse plates and glasses before putting them in the dishwasher, thinking that this is beneficial for the hygiene of the dishes. This is not the case. The dishwasher is programmed to adjust the water jets and its cleaning power to the amount of dirt which needs to be removed. By rinsing the dishes, we are "deceiving" the dishwasher. The result will be that the appliance will underperform during its cleansing cycle.
The filter located at the back of the hairdryer should be cleaned periodically (approximately once every 3/4 weeks). This is necessary because the hair and dust trapped inside could cause the hairdryer to overheat, damaging its functionality and safety. Frequently, this is not done.
The refrigerator is one of those appliances that should be treated with special care. It ensures the safety of the food we keep in it and, therefore, this impacts our health. Overloading it, for example, doesn't help with proper refrigeration. Likewise, putting hot food in it - such as a pot with just-cooked food, can instantly compromise the internal temperature of the fridge and the proper storage of food.
The water in the iron must be changed every time it is used, to avoid the formation of limescale and rust. And yet, this is something we very seldom do.
There are those who place tin foil on the base of the oven, believing it will protect it from dirt, scratches and more (and to avoid cleaning the oven all the time). This is actually a mistake that can cause serious damage to the oven. It is best not to use aluminum foil and rather carefully clean the oven when necessary.
It is a good idea to avoid overloading the microwave by carefully reading the weight limits indicated in the instruction manual. Most people don't do this, and this can cause a variety of problems.
Another good habit is to thoroughly clean the internal parts of the coffee machine, at least once every two months. This can prevent limescale deposits from seriously damaging the functioning of the appliance.
The washing machine must be cleaned periodically so that dirt and limescale do not cause damage. Additionally, the settings must always be adjusted to suit the load and the type of clothes that are to be washed. Overloading the machine is another very common mistake that affects performance and operation.
Which of these mistakes do you make most often?
