Get More Years Out of Your Appliances with These Simple Habits
Whether you just bought a refurbished fridge from us in Wetherill Park or you've had your washing machine for five years, a little regular maintenance makes a massive difference. The number one reason we see appliances fail early? Avoidable wear from poor habits.
Here are the expert tips our technicians share with every customer who walks through our door.
Fridge Care: 8 Tips That Extend Its Life
1. Keep the Coils Clean
The condenser coils at the back or bottom of your fridge are where heat is released. When they're caked in dust and pet hair, the compressor works overtime — which shortens its life and raises your power bill. Vacuum them every 6–12 months with a soft brush attachment.
2. Check the Door Seal
A worn door seal (gasket) lets cold air escape and forces the fridge to run continuously. Test it: close the door on a piece of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides easily, the seal is weak. Clean the seal monthly with warm soapy water to remove food residue that breaks it down faster.
3. Set the Right Temperature
- Fridge compartment: 3–4°C
- Freezer: -18°C
Running your fridge too cold wastes energy and can freeze items in the fridge section. Too warm and food spoils faster and bacteria grows. Use an inexpensive fridge thermometer to check.
4. Don't Over-Pack It
Air needs to circulate inside the fridge to cool evenly. Stuffing it full blocks airflow and creates warm spots. Leave a little space between items, especially around the back wall where the cooling element is.
5. Let Hot Food Cool First
Placing steaming pots in the fridge raises the internal temperature significantly, forcing the compressor to work hard to recover. Let food cool to room temperature (within 2 hours for food safety) before refrigerating.
6. Defrost the Freezer Regularly
If your fridge doesn't have auto-defrost, let ice build-up exceed 5–6mm and you're reducing efficiency by up to 30%. Defrost when the ice layer reaches about 1cm thick. For auto-defrost models, check the drain hole at the bottom of the freezer section annually — it can get blocked and cause water pooling.
7. Level the Fridge Correctly
A fridge that's not level causes the door to swing open (or not close properly) and can cause the compressor oil to pool incorrectly. The front should be very slightly higher than the back — about 1cm tilt — so the doors seal themselves.
8. Leave Space Behind for Airflow
Your fridge needs at least 5cm of clearance behind it and at the sides to dissipate heat. Pushing it flat against the wall is one of the most common causes of compressor burnout we see.
Washing Machine Care: 9 Tips to Avoid Costly Repairs
1. Don't Overload It
The single biggest cause of washing machine repair calls we get. Overloading strains the drum bearings, motor and suspension. Clothes need room to tumble freely — the drum should be about ¾ full at most. For heavy items like towels or jeans, go no more than half full.
2. Clean the Lint Filter (Top Loaders)
Top loaders have a lint filter inside the agitator or drum wall. Clean it every 2–3 months. A blocked filter reduces drainage, causes detergent residue build-up and can cause mould smells.
3. Clean the Door Seal (Front Loaders)
The rubber gasket around a front loader door is a prime spot for black mould. After every wash, wipe the inside of the seal with a dry cloth. Once a month, run a hot wash (60°C+) with a cup of white vinegar and no clothes to sanitise the drum and seal.
4. Leave the Door Open After Washing
Both front and top loaders need to air out between washes to prevent mould and musty smells. Leave the door (and detergent drawer on front loaders) slightly open when not in use.
5. Use the Right Amount of Detergent
More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. It means more residue build-up in the drum, hoses and pump filter. Use the amount recommended for your water hardness. Sydney has moderately hard water, so follow the packaging guidelines. Excess detergent causes the pump filter to clog and can trigger error codes.
6. Check Pockets Before Loading
Coins, bobby pins, bra underwires and keys are behind most pump filter blockages we clear. They can damage the drum, block the pump and even cut the door seal. Check all pockets before every load. It takes 10 seconds and saves a $99 call-out fee.
7. Clean the Pump Filter (Front Loaders)
The pump filter is usually behind a small panel at the bottom front of the machine. Clean it every 2–3 months — you'll be shocked what comes out. A blocked pump filter is what causes most "won't drain" error codes.
8. Run a Hot Service Wash Monthly
An empty 60–90°C wash with either a cup of white vinegar or a machine cleaner tablet kills bacteria, removes detergent build-up and prevents musty smells. This is especially important in Sydney's warm, humid summers.
9. Check the Water Hoses Annually
The rubber water supply hoses at the back of your machine can crack or bulge over time, particularly in hot laundries. Check them once a year for signs of wear and replace them every 5 years as a precaution. A burst hose is an expensive flood — a new hose costs about $30.
When Is It Time to Replace Instead of Repair?
Even well-maintained appliances reach end of life. These are the signs it's time to replace rather than repair:
- Repair cost > 50% of replacement value — a good rule of thumb for any appliance
- Age > 10 years (fridge) or > 7 years (washing machine) — parts become scarce and energy efficiency drops significantly
- Recurring faults — same problem returning every few months means a bigger underlying issue
- Heavily corroded drum or liner — these are structural issues that can't be cost-effectively repaired
If you're at that point, our refurbished appliance range starts from $99 and comes with a 3–6 month warranty. You don't need to spend $1,500 on a new machine to get reliable performance.
Need a Service or Replacement in Sydney?
Our team at Oceania Appliances, 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park can help with both repairs and replacements. We're open 7 days, 10am–8pm. Call or WhatsApp 0422 489 492 for free advice on whether to repair or replace your appliance — no sales pressure, just honest guidance.
Browse our refurbished fridges, refurbished washing machines and our factory seconds range.