Pasi-Waltteri Valtanen, a home appliance maintenance expert, highlights that many appliances fail prematurely primarily due to a lack of proper understanding of their manuals at the outset. He identifies vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers as the most commonly broken appliances, often due to neglected maintenance such as filter cleaning or incorrect dosing of detergent. This neglect can lead to a significant reduction in the expected lifespan of these appliances.

According to Valtanen, a well-maintained household appliance should last around 15 years under normal usage conditions. However, the reality is that many consumers do not follow best practices for their appliances, resulting in earlier breakdowns. Consumers tend to replace faulty devices with new ones rather than opting for repairs and maintenance, potentially due to the perception that modern appliances are disposable or that maintenance is too cumbersome.

This trend towards immediate replacement not only affects personal finances but also contributes to greater environmental waste. Valtanen encourages users to prioritize regular care and understand their appliances better to ensure longevity and save money in the long run. By investing a small effort in maintenance, users can avoid unnecessary replacements and benefit both financially and environmentally.