{"id":146922,"date":"2025-08-13T15:22:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T15:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teka.com\/global\/?p=146922"},"modified":"2025-08-14T15:50:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T15:50:01","slug":"prepare-home-appliances-before-holidays-to-dos-and-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teka.com\/global\/inspiration\/appliances-and-innovation\/prepare-home-appliances-before-holidays-to-dos-and-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepare home appliances before holidays: to-dos and tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you are already on holiday or just planning to go, this is the time of year when many of us take a well-earned break<\/strong> from our daily duties. However, preparing for your trip is not as simple as packing clothes for the beach or the mountains and heading off. Your home<\/strong> also needs attention \u2013 and so does your kitchen<\/strong> \u2013 if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises when you return. Problems such as wasted<\/strong> energy, bad odours,<\/strong> or even appliance malfunctions<\/strong> are easy to prevent. Follow these simple tips to prepare your home appliances before holidays and enjoy peace of mind while you are away.<\/p>\n

\"Kitchen<\/p>\n

1. Fridge: keep it simple, keep it clean<\/h2>\n

Our absolute number one. If you are going away for less than a week, skip this step. And no, you cannot officially call that a holiday, sorry. But if you\u2019re going away for longer, especially if your refrigerator<\/a> is not new, then preparing it properly is a must:<\/p>\n

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  1. Check expiry dates<\/strong>. Check all the food inside and make a list of what will spoil first, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs, and similar items.<\/li>\n
  2. Use it or share it<\/strong>. Try to eat everything the previous days before you leave. You can also cook them and freeze the meals, or share the food with family, friends, or neighbours. Why? Mainly to prevent food waste, but also because you don\u2019t want to find any leftover rotten food inside your fridge freezer<\/a>, producing bacteria and bad smells.<\/li>\n
  3. Clean thoroughly<\/strong>. Wash the inside, including doors and seals, using warm water and soap, non-abrasive cleaners. This will stop the ordinary process of bacteria growing on small pieces of food.<\/li>\n
  4. Adjust or turn off.<\/strong> If you will be away for a long time (15 days or more), consider turning the fridge off and emptying it completely, not leaving even that beloved half lemon we all keep. Leave the door slightly open to avoid odours. Alternatively, keep it running but raise the temperature to about 5\u00b0C (41\u00b0F) to save energy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Some fridges have a \u2018vacation mode\u2019 to maintain efficiency while reducing electricity usage, a good way to prepare your appliances before holidays. You\u2019ll usually find this on the control panel, but check your user manual for details. It\u2019s an energy-smart alternative to switching the appliance off entirely.<\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t feel confident touching the control of the temperature of your fridge,<\/a> for whatever reason, another quick tip is to fill empty spaces with bottles of water. A full fridge uses less energy.<\/p>\n

    \"Kitchen<\/p>\n

    2. Oven: Clean and switch off<\/h2>\n

    A key rule for all appliances before holidays: make sure they are spotless. For your oven,<\/a> remove any crumbs, grease, or food spills, as these can produce bad smells or even burn if the oven<\/a> is accidentally switched on. Before you leave, check that the oven is completely turned off. If possible, unplug it\u2014especially if you\u2019ll be away for a longer trip. Safety always comes first.<\/p>\n

    \"Built-in<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    3. Hood: Don\u2019t forget the filter<\/h2>\n

    Your kitchen hood<\/a> plays a vital role in keeping the air clean while you cook. Before heading away, inspect the hood\u2019s filter. If it\u2019s dirty, clean it or replace it. Many hood filters<\/strong> are dishwasher-safe, so this task is quick<\/strong> and easy.<\/strong> A clean filter ensures your hood<\/a> runs efficiently and doesn\u2019t waste energy. While you\u2019re at it, wipe down the outside to remove any dust. It\u2019s always nice to return to a kitchen that\u2019s fresh and tidy.<\/p>\n

    \"Integra<\/p>\n

    4. Hob: Clean and switch off<\/h2>\n

    Your hob<\/a> needs attention before the holidays, too. Clean the hob surface well so no food or grease<\/strong> remains there. This stops bad smells and keeps it ready for when you return. And yes, it will keep away any kind of intruders attracted by the promise of food (we mean bugs, not your neighbours). Like the oven,<\/a> check the hob is off and unplug<\/strong> it if you can. For gas hobs, make sure all the knobs<\/strong> are off and the gas<\/strong> supply is closed.<\/p>\n

    \"Van<\/p>\n

    \u00a0Final Tips for your appliances before holidays<\/h2>\n