You can save big dollars by taking some basic repair jobs into your own hands. And your appliances will reward your efforts with years of faithful service.
If your washing machine is leaking, the culprit may be a split hose. The good news is, hoses are quick and easy to replace using ordinary household tools. But what many people don’t realise is that split hoses can be prevented. The trick is to turn the taps off when the machine is not in use. You’d be surprised how much this simple measure will reduce wear and tear. If the leak is coming from the taps, however, you may need a plumber. Check first to see if it’s just a worn hose washer.
Tip: Don’t overdo it with the detergent. If you use too much, it may be whipped into a froth during the spin cycle. Eventually this muck can clog the pipes. Besides, using less detergent is kinder to the environment, too, not to mention your wallet.
If your refrigerator is losing its cool, the problem could be the seal around the door. The way to test this is to slide a piece of paper behind the seal. If the paper doesn’t meet any resistance when the door is closed, you may well need to replace the seal. The old seal should slide or pull away easily, then it’s a simple matter of installing the new seal. First soak it in hot water to ease out kinks. Then press it in place and wash down with warm soapy water.
Tip: Never clean rubber seals with strong chemicals as this will ruin them. Bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a little hot water is great for cleaning inside the fridge as it kills off food odours.
If your clothes dryer leaves your clothes damp, perhaps the air isn’t circulating properly. Check whether the lint filter needs cleaning. If that’s not the problem, maybe the air inlet hole is blocked. Most appliances, including hair dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and heaters, have dust or lint filters that need cleaning regularly.
Tip: If your hair dryer doesn’t have a removable filter, use your vacuum cleaner to suck out built-up hair.
Filters in the extractor fan over the cooktop can get clogged with grease and dust, and should be washed in hot water and detergent frequently. Don’t put them in the dishwater, though.
