You'd think by now I'd know all the tricks and tips behind keeping an appliance running smoothly. After all, I've spent more than 20 years writing about microwaves and mixers, dryers and dishwashers, visiting the factories, interviewing the kitchen design experts and putting the latest models through their paces. Surely there couldn't be much left to surprise me?
Well, it turns out there was. A recent chat with my good friend and appliance engineer Damien Rolls, AKA TikTok’s Appliance Hero, quickly revealed I'd been making a few mistakes myself. From using the wrong dishwasher detergent to loading my washing machine incorrectly, I'd been unintentionally giving my kitchen appliances a much harder time than they deserved.
Damian might just have saved me thousands in repairs and replacements with his incredible advice – so I’m passing on his words of wisdom, so you can do the same.
1. I’ve stopped using solid dishwasher tablets
I found this piece of advice a little mind-blowing, and it’s what prompted me to quiz Damien on everything else I might be doing wrong with my carefully chosen kitchen appliances. As a regular user of solid dishwasher tablets, I’d never considered that they might not be the best option for modern machines.
So why do those hard, chalky tablets get the thumbs down from our expert? "Well, years ago, dishwashers were much more powerful," Damien tells me. "They had stronger heaters that could break down hard detergent tablets properly. However modern machines, especially those built to meet energy-efficiency regulations, use lower-powered heating systems and heat pumps, so those tablets don't always dissolve as completely."
"The problem is that the residue can build up inside the machine, especially if you've got hard water, dirty filters, or you're constantly running quick-wash cycles. The tablet doesn't get enough time or heat to fully break down, so it leaves deposits that can clog spray arms, pumps, and heating components over time."
And according to Damien, it's not just the tablet, it's how people use them. "If you're using hard tablets on short cycles, you're asking the dishwasher to do a job it wasn't really designed for," he explains. "Use a detergent that's suited to modern machines and the programme you're running, otherwise you're likely shortening the life of the dishwasher."
For Damien, that means hybrid powder/liquid or fully liquid pods to keep your freestanding or integrated dishwasher running at its best. He isn’t tied to any particular brand, but he recommends Finish Quantum, Fairy Platinum, or if you are on a budget, Aldi and Lidl's offerings. Here our our top picks:
Three of the best liquid dishwasher pods
These powerful tablets often top the list of best performing dishwasher detergents. They're excellent for shorter cycles and feature 'anti-dull technology' that lifts any long-term build up to restore the original shine of dishes.
The Finish Ultimate range is particularly effective at shifting dried-on dirt, so if dishes tend to linger a while before you wash them – perhaps because you live in a smaller household where the dishwasher takes longer to fill – they're a solid pick.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive for these own-brand M&S tablets. I regularly alternate them with the big-brand offerings and find they offer a great clean for the price. I also love their fresh smell, which is achieved with natural essential oils. For day-to-day cleaning on a budget, I don't think you can do better.
Damien trained as an electrical engineer, before working as a senior engineer, trainer, and mentor at BSH Group – a role he held for 19 years. He later worked as a technical advisor to an insurance firm, and now runs his own company with the support of his wife Kara. For more brilliant tips, follow Damien on TikTok @appliance.hero
2. I never run my microwave for more than four minutes at a time
This was another game-changer for me, though Damien reassured me that most people make the same mistake where microwaves are concerned. "Everybody does it – they stick something in the microwave, whack it up to the highest power setting and think it will cook quicker," he explains. "But that maximum power is really designed for heating liquids for a short period of time, like warming a cup of tea or some milk for a minute or two."
In Damien’s view, around 600 watts is a much better setting for most foods. "If you're reheating something like beans or leftovers, do it in shorter bursts. Heat it for a couple of minutes, give it a good stir, then carry on," he tells me. "Microwaves don't always heat food evenly, so stirring helps get rid of those hot and cold spots."
The same goes for foods that take longer, like jacket potatoes. Rather than putting them in for 10 minutes straight, Damien recommends cooking them in stages. "After four minutes, let the steam escape, then cook for another four minutes, and finish with the last couple of minutes if needed," he says. "That gives the microwave a chance to cool down and lets all that moisture out."
But why is this such an issue? "People don't realise that heat and steam can shorten a microwave's life," says Damien. "They can damage the magnetron (which generates the microwaves) or the power module on inverter models. Cooking in shorter bursts, using a sensible power setting, and letting the steam escape in between all help your microwave last longer."
“It’s also important to ensure you’re using microwave-safe containers and crockery," adds Gwil Snook, laundry and dishwasher expert at AO.com. "Use a cover to retain moisture and avoid mess and carefully give dishes a stir or turn halfway where possible. In general, shorter intervals with a quick check in between will give you much more consistent results while helping to preserve the appliance in the long run.”
Gwil is a laundry and dishwasher expert with more than eight years experience, and holds a particular interest in heat-pump tumble dryers. He loves his golf, football and heading to the gym while he's also game for meal out with friends or watching the latest flicks at the cinema.
3. I never overload (or underload) my washing machine
Damien has plenty of tips on how to make your washing machine last longer, but his biggest bugbear is something simple – over- or under-loading. And I'm as guilty of this as anyone.
"A lot of people think cramming in more laundry saves time, but it usually does the opposite," he says. "Think of your washing machine like a cement mixer. If you overfill a cement mixer, the contents spill out of the front. A washing machine has a door to stop that happening, so instead the load gets forced against the drum and struggles to move properly. That's when you get the banging and vibration during the spin cycle."
Under-loading can cause problems, too. "If there's only one heavy item, such as a bath mat, or too few items in the drum, the machine can struggle to balance the load. When it can't find its balance, it will stop, reposition the drum, and try again. Every stop-start adds time to the cycle. In some cases, if the machine still can't balance the load after several attempts, it will abandon the spin altogether and leave the laundry soaking wet."
Damien explains that the best approach is to fill the drum to roughly the top of the door hinge. "Doing five properly loaded washes is often quicker than doing four overloaded ones, because the machine can spin successfully the first time."
"Keeping the load balanced reduces cycle times, prevents unnecessary banging, and puts less strain on the shock absorbers, springs, bearings and other moving parts. In the long run, that means a more reliable machine and a longer lifespan."
"Similarly, with a tumble dryer aim to keep the tub around three-quarters full so air can circulate properly and group similar fabrics together to help everything dry evenly," advises Gwil Snook. "It’s also worth giving clothes a quick shake before they go in to reduce any tangling and creases. Small steps like these speed up drying times and help protect your clothes and keep energy use down."
Our editor, Beth Murton, has a similar LG washing machine and loves it for the large load capacity (9kg) that makes light work of washing sheets, towels and clothes for her busy family household. It has a wide range of programmes, from quick washes to anti-allergy options, a range of spin speeds and an A energy rating.
4. I now always do a double drum clean
I was already aware that limescale is one of the biggest killers of washing machines. Over time, it coats the heating element and other components, making the machine work harder and increasing the risk of costly repairs. That's why Damien says regularly running a cleaning programme isn't just about getting rid of unpleasant smells from your kitchen or utility room – it's one of the best ways to prolong the life of your washing machine.
He recommends using the machine's Drum Clean programme (or a 90°C cotton cycle if it doesn't have one) every four to six weeks in hard or medium water areas, or every two to three months if you live in a soft water area. But Damien has one extra tip that most people don't know about, including me. Always run the cleaning cycle twice.
"The first cycle is there to do the prep work," he explains. "Run an empty Drum Clean programme – or a 90°C cotton wash – with no clothes, detergent or cleaner. What you're doing here is heating up and softening the limescale and grime inside the machine, making it much easier to remove."
Once that cycle has finished, run the same programme again, this time pouring a bottle of washing machine cleaner directly into the drum. Damien recommends Bosch’s dedicated washing machine cleaner, particularly if you live in a hard water area. "The first wash softens everything up, then the cleaner can really break it down and wash it away," he says.
Damien recommends this cleaner for all washing machines, regardless of brand. This four pack will last you anywhere between four months and a year, depending on whether you live in a hard or soft water area.
Gwil at AO.com is in total agreement. "For a great washing machine detox, I always recommend running it on an empty cycle without detergent, on the hottest cycle possible. This will help break down washing machine mould or bacteria, especially if you run your machine on cooler wash settings," Gwil says. "Don’t forget to pull the detergent drawer out and clean it with a toothbrush and hot, soapy water to scrub away any detergent or gunk build up."
If your machine already smells musty, don't be surprised if one double clean isn't enough. "If it still smells afterwards, it means you haven't broken all the dirt down yet," says Damien. "Just repeat the process – one empty hot cycle followed by one with cleaner – until the smell has gone." Once you've got it back to its best, sticking to the routine every few weeks will help keep limescale at bay and your washing machine running efficiently for longer."
Top tip: Also remember to clean out your washing machine filter regularly, to prevent big repair bills down the line. "A small collection of hair and fluff can be easy to remove, but if it's given the chance to collect into a big ball, it could be costly," says Damien.
5. I use the appropriate dishwasher cycle (and always add salt)
When we buy a new integrated or freestanding kitchen appliance, most of us don’t spend the next couple of days studying the manual cover to cover. If I’m honest, it never even makes it out of the box. But as Damien points out, skipping the basics can mean you’re unintentionally mistreating your machine.
Let’s start with the programmes. “That quick 30-minute cycle isn't designed for your Sunday roast dishes,” he says. “It's there for lightly soiled items, like a few dessert plates or coffee cups when you need them cleaned in a hurry. For your everyday wash, you should be using the normal, auto or 45°C to 65°C programme."
Damien also warns against automatically selecting the hottest programme every time. "People think the hotter the wash, the better, but if you're constantly using the intensive 70°C or ‘chef’ cycle, you're putting unnecessary strain on the heat pump. It's like driving your car flat out everywhere you go – it'll wear out much sooner than it should. Those intensive cycles are there for the occasional really dirty load, not everyday use."
While you're at it, don't ignore the dishwasher salt indicator either. "The salt softens the water, which helps protect the machine from limescale," he explains. "And always keep the rinse aid topped up as well. Think of it like the wax you get when you wash your car. It helps the water run off properly, giving you cleaner, drier dishes."
Finally, don't forget the filter. "Give it a quick clean every week," says Damien. "You wouldn't leave the strainer in your kitchen sink collecting food for months, so don't do it with your dishwasher either. And while you don't need to rinse every plate until it's spotless, scrape off anything that's going to cause problems. Dried rice, porridge (basically edible cement) or anything with lots of liquid should be removed first. The dishwasher is designed to clean your dishes, not wash yesterday's soup around the inside of the machine."
6. I don't overpack my fridge-freezer
"When you load your fridge or freezer, you need to leave a gap over every shelf to allow the air to circulate properly and regulate the temperature," says Damien. “Ramming it full is fine on a rare occasion like Christmas, but day to day, it just makes the appliance work harder than it needs to."
He adds that most people don’t realise how much overloading affects efficiency. "If things are hanging over shelves or blocking the door seals, you think your fridge-freezer is shut but it’s not quite, and you end up losing cold air without even knowing it. Again, everything starts overworking, and the appliance won't last as long."
Freezer and fridge temperatures matter, too. "For example, if your ice cream is rock solid and you need a hammer and chisel to get it out, your freezer is too cold," he says. "Most are set around -18°C, but you can comfortably bring that up to -16°C or -15°C and still keep everything frozen, just without turning it into a geological excavation."
Not having the right temperature settings will increase how much electricity your fridge and freezer uses, impacting your energy bills.
Now you know how to look after them better, discover which appliances use the most electricity, and the best appliance options for a small kitchen.
