9 Things People Do That Quietly Kill Their Appliances
(Without Realising)

Most appliances don’t suddenly die for no reason. A lot of the time they’ve been suffering in silence for weeks or months. Just slowly getting worse until one day they give up completely.

Here are some of the most common things people do that seem harmless but actually cause
problems.

1. Overloading the Washing Machine We’ve all done it. “One more towel will be fine.” Unfortunately, usually It won’t. Overloading puts stress on the drum, the motor and the bearings. It might wash this time, but over time your machine will start to struggle as it’s working harder to complete a cycle.

2. Slamming Doors Shut
Washing machines, ovens, dishwashers… They’re not built for that kind of treatment.
Slamming doors can damage hinges, seals and locks. Then they’ll need repairing, and it
could have been prevented by simply shutting the door properly.

3. Never Cleaning the Filter Out of sight, out of mind. Until the machine stops draining. Filters catch loads of things including hair, lint, coins and all those things that fall out of your pockets (we won’t name names!). Leave the filter uncleaned for long enough, and those things will start to back up and damage the machine.

4. Using Way Too Much Detergent More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. It will usually mean a build up inside the machine, blocked pipes and weird smells. And sometimes a washing machine that just refuses to drain properly.

5. Ignoring Weird Noises
If you hear a knock, a grinding sound, or strange clicking, don’t ignore it. Small issues can make noises at first, don’t ignore it.

6. Not Levelling the Machine
If your washing machine is wobbling or walking across the kitchen… That’s not normal! An unbalanced machine puts strain on internal parts and can wear things out much faster. It can also make some loud banging noises.

7. Stuffing Things in the Tumble Dryer That Shouldn’t Be There Shoes. Heavy items. Things that are dripping wet. Dryers aren’t invincible. Overloading or putting the wrong things in can damage the drum, overheat the system or shorten it’s lifespan.

8. Blocking Vents and Airflow
Especially with fridges and dryers. If they can’t breathe properly, they overheat. It may sound simple but we’ve seen this happen countless times and it’s such an easy fix when you think your machine may need repairing. Blocking airflow can lead to poor performance, higher energy use and parts wearing out quicker.

9. Just Hoping It’ll Fix Itself
This is the big one. When something feels off, but you carry on using it anyway. Sometimes it works for a while, but ignoring small problems create big ones.
The Reality Most appliances don’t break overnight, they wear down slowly from everyday habits.
The Simple Fix You don’t need to be an expert. Just remember our advice:

● Don’t overload
● Give things a quick check now and then such as filters and hinges
● Pay attention when something feels off
● Go gentle on doors

That alone goes a long way.

If It Does Start Playing Up
If something’s not right, it’s always worth getting a proper look at it before it turns into a full breakdown. Especially if you’re local to Stoke-on-Trent, Congleton or surrounding areas, Appliance Repair Solutions can give free advice or come and take a look at your appliance.