Keep your fridge coils clean
When the coils behind your fridge are dirty (think pet hair, dust and assorted fluff) the refrigeration process is hindered. Meaning your fridge may not be cooling efficiently – resulting in it working harder than it needs to. To keep your fridge running as efficiently as possible, you should make a note to clean the back of your fridge every six months or so – more often if you have pets that shed. The good news? It only takes about 10-15 minutes.
How to clean your fridge coils
- Switch your fridge off and unplug it.
- Safely pull fridge away from the wall (we recommend getting another person to help with this to ensure you don’t injure yourself).
- Locate the coils on your fridge. Older models have exposed coils mounted on the back of the refrigerator. Newer models tend to place the coils at the bottom behind a toe space panel or behind a rear access panel.
- Grab the narrow-hose attachment for your vacuum and slowly move the nozzle back and forth over the coils to remove the largest dust bunnies. Avoid forcing the nozzle between the coils to prevent damage.
- Use a duster to brush the coils and remove any remaining debris.
- Replace the panel, if you have one, and reposition your fridge back near the wall – making sure there’s plenty of room around it for optimal air circulation. This reduces the chances of it overheating. A good general rule of thumb for refrigerators is 50mm for the sides and rear of the fridge and 100mm from the top of the fridge. Though this can vary depending on the type of fridge you have. Poor air circulation can increase energy use by 15% or more.
While you’re in cleaning mode, it’s a great opportunity to give your fridge a good clean and check the temperature is set to the optimal range. 3°C-4°C for the fridge and between -15°C and -18°C for the freezer.
Make your oven sparkle
It’s no secret that cleaning the oven is usually one of the most dreaded household chores. It’s seen as a time-consuming job requiring lots of elbow grease. Whilst it may not be the most enjoyable task, it is a satisfying one that you should aim to do every three months or so.
Dirty ovens not only look bad, they pose a fire hazard and have an increased risk of producing smoke (releasing harmful toxins and affecting the flavour of food). The grease can also damage the heating elements over time, shortening the lifespan of your oven.
A dirty oven also takes longer to cook your food, compared to a clean one which will reach the required temperature more quickly and distribute heat more evenly – helping to conserve energy.
How to clean your oven easily
- Put on your mask and gloves, and turn on your exhaust fan, before spraying any oven cleaner to protect yourself.
- Take out all oven racks.
- Spray the oven, and inside of the door, with an even coat of oven cleaner (avoiding the heating element as this can be easily damaged).
- Let the oven cleaner sit for at least 30 minutes (this is important as a common mistake isn’t letting the cleaner sit for long enough to do its job).
- When 30 minutes is up, give the racks and oven a good scrub with a non-scratch heavy duty scrubber. If you need extra space to clean the racks try using your bathtub.
- For any stubborn marks, use a mild abrasive paste – like Gumption or Jiff – to gently scrub them off.
- When all the grease and grime is gone, give the oven a good wipe over with a damp cloth.
Give your dishwasher a helping hand
Who cleans the one who does the cleaning? That’s the question when it comes to dishwashers. Dirty dishwashers mean dirty dishes and a shorter lifespan for your appliance. It’s also no surprise that if your plates aren’t cleaned properly, you’ll end up rewashing them — using double the water and power. So, to keep your dishwasher as energy efficient as possible, give it a good clean once a month.
How to clean your dishwasher
- Remove the filter from the bottom of the dishwasher and give it a soak in soapy water.
- Whilst the filter is soaking, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for an hour.
- Give the filter a wash and place it back in the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Add one cup of white vinegar to a jug and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
- Run a ‘quick’ cycle and you’re done.
Clean your exhaust fans
How often do you think about the exhaust fans in your bathroom? We’re sure it’s not often. But, it’s important to keep these clean, not only to ensure they’re correctly pulling the steam out of the air (preventing mould and mildew) but to keep energy usage down too.
When exhaust fans are dirty, dust and debris can build up and obstruct the fan blades. Impeding air flow, straining the motor and increasing energy consumption. The good news is cleaning them isn’t too hard and you only need to do it every few months.
How to clean bathroom exhaust fans
- Remove the fan cover and give it a good vacuum with a soft vacuum attachment.
- Vacuum any the remaining debris off the fan blades before giving them a wipe with a damp cloth.
- Wash the cover in some warm soapy water, dry and secure back in place.
Keep your air-conditioner clean
Before the heat kicks in, make time to have your air-conditioner serviced and give your filters a good clean. Not only will this ensure dust and particles aren’t being recycled within your house, it also means your air-conditioner will work more efficiently – and if there are any issues with your coils or the unit itself, you’ve got plenty of time to arrange repairs before the balmy nights set in.
How to clean air-conditioner filters
- Carefully remove the filters from your split system and lay them out on the floor.
- Give them a good clean with a soft vacuum attachment, followed by a wash in warm soapy water.
- Whilst the filters are air-drying, give your split system a good wipe over with a damp cloth.
- Place your filters back in and you’re done.
Wash the washer
Much like the dishwasher, the washing machine also needs a clean once a month. One of the most used appliances in the house, the washing machine can end up filled with dirt and grime. And, if left dirty, you may need to use a higher or longer wash cycle to get your clothes and linen clean – spiking your energy usage unnecessarily. This is especially true if you have to wash your laundry a second time because it comes out smelling bad or covered in mould stains.
A few simple steps will have your laundry smelling lemony fresh in no-time.
How to clean your washing machine
- First things first, check your user manual for how to drain your washing machine. Be sure to have a tray or container ready for the dirty liquid.
- Pull out the drain filter and give it a good clean with some soapy water and wipe out the pocket that it sits in before screwing it back in.
- If you have a front loader, take a few damp cloths and soak them in white vinegar, before slotting them into the seal in the front. Let them sit for about half an hour.
- Pull the cloths out, wring them out, and give the seal and the door a good wipe over.
- Finally, sprinkle some baking soda in the drum, pour a cup of white vinegar into the detergent drawer and run either a ‘drum clean’ or ‘regular wash’ cycle.
- Once finished, open the door of the washing machine and let it dry out.
Spring clean your subscriptions
With your home sorted, why not give your subscriptions a spring clean too? These days it’s easy to end up with a whole bunch of streaming services, so it may be worthwhile seeing what you’re currently subscribed to and unsubscribe from one or two. An easy way to save a little extra each month. And, while you’re at it, why not check your internet plan and make sure you’re on the best offer for your household. If you sign up to any Origin Internet plan online, you’ll get a 12-month Paramount+ subscription included.
