A study has revealed that two thirds of travellers have a set routine of preparations around their homes before they take off on holiday. However, almost one fifth of us have returned home to find something has gone wrong while we’re away, with burst pipes (54%), defrosted freezers (41%), and mouldy food in the fridge (27%) topping the list of holiday homecoming disasters.

 

 

Salah Sun, Head of Product, at Hotpoint, says, “Spending some time in the days leading up to your holiday to prep your appliances could help you save on your energy bills and prevent unwelcome surprises upon your return.”

 

Here, Hotpoint, the UK’s most trusted appliance brand, shares their guide to preparing your appliances before you go on holiday, helping you to avoid costly mistakes and minimise unnecessary energy consumption whilst you’re away from home.

 

Understanding holiday mode: your fridge freezer’s hidden feature

Holiday mode is a handy setting found on many modern fridge freezer models.

 

“Holiday mode is designed specifically for periods away of a week or more,” explains Salah Sun. “Your appliance will run on the bare minimum of temperatures within the freezer compartment while disconnecting the cooling apparatus within your fridge compartment. This means your fridge needs to be completely empty to avoid food spoiling.”

 

Don’t forget to switch off or unplug your appliances

Set yourself a reminder to switch off or unplug your washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, microwave, kettle, and coffee machine, before you go.

 

“Appliances that heat water are particularly costly to leave on standby because they need to be ready to heat water instantly on demand,” says Salah Sun. “The collective effect of multiple appliances in standby mode can add pounds to your energy bill if you’re on holiday for a fortnight.”

 

By switching these appliances off at the plug or unplugging them will stop them using up energy unnecessarily. Television sets, computer monitors, printers and various countertop gadgets also continue drawing power when left on standby so disconnect them completely for maximum savings.

 

Holiday preparation for dishwashers and washing machines

Before switching them off, your dishwasher and washing machine require more specific preparation. Cleaning the filters, running a final cycle before you go and ensuring they’re completely empty is essential for preventing mould and unpleasant odours.

 

“After that final wash cycle, leave your dishwasher door slightly ajar,” advises Salah Sun. “This will allow any residual heat and moisture to escape, preventing damp conditions. The same applies to your washing machine, particularly front-loading models where moisture can get trapped in the rubber door seal.”

 

 

 

“When it comes to your washing machine, running an empty hot cycle with some washing machine cleaner before you leave will help banish any lingering bacteria and prevent musty odours developing. By doing this you’ll return to a fresh smelling machine,” shares Salah Sun.

The strategy for your fridge and freezer

Unless you’re on your travels for more than a month, your fridge freezer should remain switched on. You’ll need to do some preparation to help you to avoid food waste. The week before departure, start using up perishables and anything approaching its use by date.

 

“Your remaining fresh vegetables can be turned into soups or stews and frozen for your return home,” suggests Salah Sun. “Dairy products should be eaten before you go or given away to neighbours rather than left in your fridge. The smallest forgotten item can create unpleasant odours, so it’s important to be thorough and make sure all fresh produce is removed.”

 

For the final step, clean out your fridge from top to bottom, tackling any residues. Then activate holiday mode, if your appliance has this feature, and your preparation is completed.

 

Future-proofing your holiday preparations

Make holiday appliance preparation part of your routine travel checklist by creating a written list of which appliances to switch off, which to adjust, and which to leave running.

 

“Think beyond your upcoming holiday,” says Salah Sun. “Developing your own personal approach to holiday preparation with a checklist you can revisit, means you won’t miss any of the key steps. Then all your energy savings will add up over multiple holidays throughout the year.”

 

By understanding proper appliance preparation, you can create a routine that protects your home and your wallet.