Statewide Appliance Spares Blog

Hard water is a common issue in many Australian homes and can affect the performance of your dishwasher. If your glasses are coming out cloudy, you’re seeing white spots or film on cutlery and plates, or your wash results just aren’t as good as they should be, you may need to add softener salt to your dishwashing maintenance routine. What is dishwasher softener salt? Dishwasher softener salt isn’t a cleaning product itself — it’s a specialised salt that helps your dishwasher’s built-in water softener unit work properly. Hard water contains a higher than usual concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water, which can leave residue on dishes and build up inside your machine. Softener salt dissolves and helps the dishwasher’s softening system remove hard water minerals before the wash cycle starts. Is dishwasher softener salt suitable for all dishwashers? Dishwasher salt, also known as water softener salt or dishwasher water softener salt, is suitable only for dishwashers with a dedicated softener salt dispenser — typically found in models with an integrated water softening system. If unsure, check your user manual. It’s worth noting that all Miele dishwashers — and many European-brand dishwashers such as Bosch, Siemens, Neff, AEG, and Asko — are designed with an integrated water-softening system. For homes with hard or moderately hard water, dishwasher softener salt is essential for optimal performance, protecting the machine from limescale and ensuring the best wash and drying results. Using dishwasher softener salt can: Reduce limescale buildup inside your dishwasher and on dishes.  A build-up of limescale on the dishwasher's heating element, spray arms, and other components can reduce the dishwasher's efficiency and cleaning performance over time. Improve cleaning performance, especially with hard water Help prevent spots and haziness on glasses and cutlery Extend your dishwasher’s life by preventing mineral damage. Signs that you need to use softener salt You might need to use dishwasher softener salt if: You live in a hard water area. (Local water authorities can tell you your hardness level) You see white marks, cloudiness or film on dishes after a cycle Your dishwasher has a salt indicator light or warning light Your dishwasher manual specifies a softener salt compartment. If your water is quite soft (very low mineral content), you might not need salt — check your manual and local water quality to be sure. How to use dishwasher softener salt Step 1: Locate the salt compartment — usually beneath the bottom rack in dishwashers with a softener dispenser   Step 2: Open the cap and carefully pour the softener salt into the reservoir  Step 3: Fill the salt compartment – Be careful not to overfill and always follow usage instructions Step 4: Start a wash cycle soon after filling to rinse away any excess salt. During the cycle, the dishwasher’s built-in water softener uses the salt to reduce hard water minerals, helping prevent limescale build-up and improve washing results Important: Do not use regular table salt or other salts not designed for dishwasher softeners — additives and fine grains can damage the softener system.  Using the right softener salt regularly can make a real difference — especially in areas with hard tap water. Over time, regular use can prolong the life of your dishwasher by preventing limescale buildup. This can prevent performance issues, potentially saving on repairs or premature replacement. Dishwasher softener salt plays a vital role in keeping your dishwasher running efficiently. For machines designed with a dedicated salt dispenser, it’s a simple but essential step toward better cleaning results and long-term appliance care. Buy dishwasher softener salt from Statewide Appliance Spares For the best results, we recommend: Aktivo Softener Salt 2kg A concentrated dishwasher softener salt designed to protect your machine and help with hard water performance. Aktivo range is environmentally friendly and septic safe. Power of 4 Water Softener Salt for Dishwasher 5kg Effectively removes lime from hard water and helps deliver spot-free results. The Power Of 4 range is designed with high performance, eco-friendly ingredients to deliver outstanding results. Check out our YouTube channel Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze! All the latest tips on the Statewide blog Visit the Statewide blog where you can find our guides DIY fixes for a dishwasher that is not cleaning properly and expert tips for superior dishwasher performance and savings.

New Year is the perfect time to reset your budget, reduce waste and get more life out of the appliances you already own. Instead of rushing to replace a tired fridge or noisy washer, a few simple repairs can get your appliance working at its best again. Repairing can save money, cut e‑waste and keep perfectly good appliances out of landfill. Here are 7 common problems that often look like “it’s time for a new appliance” but can usually be fixed with basic tools, a bit of patience and the right spare part. Fridge not cold enough If your fridge isn’t cold enough or constantly cycling, it doesn’t always mean the whole unit is failing. Firstly, check and clean the door seals. If they are damaged or dirty, cold air can escape, causing your compressor to work harder. Check out our step by step instructions to easily replace your fridge door seal. Next, inspect the condenser coils at the back or underneath the fridge. Give them a gentle vacuum to remove any dust and debris. Make sure you set your thermostat temperature control to the right range. The Australian Standard for fridges uses a fresh food compartment average temperature of 3°C. Your freezer should be set close to -18°C.  Temperature controls can be easily bumped by food items. Exterior digital controls can easily be changed by curious little fingers! (It is a good idea to lock the settings to prevent this from happening). Reset the temperature to the correct range. If the temperature doesn’t stabilise or the fridge doesn’t respond to changes, this may indicate a faulty thermostat. Common signs include fluctuating temperatures, food freezing in the fridge compartment, or the motor cycling more often than usual. Thermostats are a common wear-and-tear part and are often far more affordable to replace than the fridge itself. To check the thermostat, try turning the temperature control slightly colder and listen for the compressor to start. If there’s no response, or the fridge temperature doesn’t change after 24 hours, the thermostat may be faulty and need replacing. Freezer icing up or door not closing If you see heavy ice build‑up and doors that never quite shut, it could be due to a damaged door seal or a warped shelf or drawer that is preventing the door from sealing properly. Replacing a fridge door shelf or replacing the seal is much cheaper than a new unit and can stop ice from forming so quickly. While you are at it, a full defrost, clean‑out and re‑organisation of the freezer can improve airflow and help the thermostat work more accurately. Try our tried and tested tips to get the most out of your freezer and keep it working at its best. Oven cooking unevenly Uneven cooking may be caused by a failing heating element or a faulty oven thermostat. Inspect your oven and look for elements that are blistered, sagging or no longer glowing evenly. Replacing a faulty element is typically a straightforward repair that restores even heat. Tackle this task with help from our DIY video guide, “How to change your fan forced oven element”. It is also worth checking the door seal and hinges. Heat escaping around a worn gasket can create cold spots and force the oven to run longer, increasing your energy bill. Cooktop burners not lighting or heating properly To keep your burners working properly, keep your cooktop clean by wiping up spills and cleaning as you go. Sometimes you need to tackle a deeper clean to rid your oven parts of unsightly burnt food, baked on mess, greasy gas burner grates and clogged gas ports. For gas models, remove and clean the burner caps and heads. If cleaning does not help, replacing the igniter or a damaged burner part. On electric or ceramic models, a single element that won’t heat does not mean the entire surface is finished. Replacement elements and switches are available at Statewide Appliance Spares. Dishwasher is not cleaning well and has bad odours If your glassware is cloudy and dishwashers are coming out dirty, pull out the racks and inspect the spray arms and filter. Food scraps, labels and scale can clog spray holes and block water flow, resulting in dirty dishes. Cleaning or replacing spray arms and filters can restore performance quickly. A regular descaling cycle using a dishwasher descaler can clear mineral deposits, improve water circulation and tackle odour. We recommend Power of 4 Dishwasher/Washer Descaler to tackle this task. Check the door seal too—if it is mouldy or damaged, a replacement can stop leaks and smells. Washing machine shaking, leaking or leaving clothes dirty When a washing machine starts thumping around or even sliding across the floor, it can seem like the whole thing is about to give out. Clothes coming out dirty just adds to that worry. But a lot of these problems are not as bad as they look, and you can fix them without buying a new one. Excessive vibration can be caused by worn suspension components, broken feet or an uneven floor rather than a dying motor. Levelling the machine and replacing suspension parts can dramatically reduce noise. If the machine is leaking, inspect door seals, hose connections and the detergent dispenser drawer. A cracked door seal or a split hose can usually be swapped out without replacing the entire appliance, and a thorough clean of the dispenser and internal hoses can improve wash quality. Troubleshoot and fix a faulty washing machine with our handy guide. Dryer not drying clothes When your clothes take forever to dry, the first step is to clean the lint filter and inspect the vent hose for blockages. Poor airflow is one of the most common causes of long drying times and overheating. Also inspect the vent outlet outside the home for lint build‑up or obstructions. If airflow is clear but clothes are still damp, the next suspects are the heating element or thermostat. Replacing faulty dryer parts can bring your dryer back to efficient performance without investing in a new appliance. When it really is time to replace Unfortunately, not every appliance can be saved. If the unit has major faults, is very old and inefficient, or requires repairs close to the cost of a new model, replacement may be the smarter long‑term solution. For many common problems, a simple fix or part replacement will extend the life of your existing appliance, save money and reduce landfill. The new year is an ideal time to inspect your home appliances and tackle easy repairs to increase the lifespan of your appliance. All the latest on the Statewide blog Visit our blog for all the latest on dryer repairs and maintenance. We share our top energy saving tips and easy maintenance tasks you can tackle today.   Check out our YouTube channel Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze! Where to buy appliance spare parts Find all your spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares. The biggest range of spare parts for all the top brands, ready for fast Australia wide shipping. Need help finding the right spare part for your home appliance? Our friendly team are on hand, ready to help! Call us on Free Call 1800 005 220.    

When people hear "Statewide Appliance Spares," they think of us as a spare parts distributor. But there's so much more to our story! Four decades of making spares easy It all started in 1985 with a straightforward vision: make buying spares easy! We began by supplying white goods spare parts to tradies, and as our expertise grew, so did our range. By 2002, we'd expanded into complete commercial solutions through Statewide Appliance Distributors, serving the commercial floor care and laundry industries. Fast forward four decades, and we've become the trusted go-to for both professional tradies and DIY enthusiasts across Australia and New Zealand. Whether you're an expert tradie who knows exactly what you need or a homeowner frantically googling "how to replace my fridge door seal" at 11pm, we've got you covered with Australia's biggest range of appliance spares. The trust of industry giants When you've been in business for 40 years, you build relationships that matter. From Electrolux and LG to Bosch, Philips, Samsung, Miele and more, the biggest names in appliances choose us as their nationally authorised distributor. These partnerships allow us to deliver genuine spares with fast despatch and service that's consistently rated 4.9 out of 5 by our customers. When the big brands trust us with their reputation, you know you're getting quality parts and service that exceeds expectations. Empowering DIY repairs Why struggle with appliance repairs when we can guide you through them? We've developed easy resources to help everyday Australians fix their appliances with confidence. Our Statewide Blog features detailed repair guides and maintenance tips for everything from troubleshooting common oven problems to descaling your washing machine. Our YouTube Channel offers step-by-step tutorials and expert hints that make even tricky repairs manageable. We believe everyone should have access to the knowledge and parts they need to keep their appliances running like new (yes you can do simple repairs and save money! Supporting tradies Tradies across Australia rely on us for more than just parts—they depend on our local support to keep their businesses running smoothly. We understand that when you're on a job, you need reliable parts, fast delivery, and expert guidance to keep your customers happy. That's why we offer a local customer care team with a dedicated trade line, a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate website with trade pricing access, thousands of fast-moving items in stock and ready to ship, nationwide delivery every day, and expert technical support when you need it most. Bridging the gap Have you ever wondered what happens when your appliance breaks after the warranty expires? When major retailers like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and The Good Guys need a solution for out-of-warranty repairs, they point customers our way. CEO David Stretton explains, "At the end of the day, the focus for an appliance retailer is to sell new equipment to consumers. What happens two years down the track after the warranty expires or the customer breaks the shelf in their fridge or the plate in their microwave or their remote control has been eaten by their dog? The answer is that we fill that gap." Retailers focus on selling new equipment, and we focus on keeping existing appliances running. It's a partnership that benefits everyone. When customers get their spare parts issue addressed quickly, they remember the retailer who helped them find a solution, and they're more likely to return when they eventually need a new product. "Retailers don't want to be mucking around with a $30 shelf for a refrigerator – so that is where we come in and we are happy to fix it up for them," Stretton adds. "We help everybody and make everyone happy – this is how we fit in." Fighting for a sustainable future Here's something that should concern us all: E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with over 62 million tonnes generated annually. Electronic waste accounts for 70% of toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium, and mercury found in landfills. Every time you choose to repair instead of replace, you're making a real difference. Repairing reduces toxic e-waste in landfills, conserves natural resources and rare earth elements, cuts greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing, saves energy from production and transport, and supports sustainable practices. At Statewide, we're committed to helping Australians repair rather than replace, saving money and reducing waste with every spare part we supply. Each repair is a step toward a more sustainable future. More than just spares Over 40 years, we've grown from a spare parts distributor into something bigger. We champion repairs, support tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts, fill retail gaps, and care for the environment. Our reputation is built on expertise, reliability, and making buying spares easy. That's what makes us more than just spares. Check out our YouTube channel Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze!    

Panasonic “A better life, a better world” This year, we proudly celebrate 40 years since Statewide Appliance Spares first opened its doors in Adelaide. What began as a small, family-run business has grown into one of Australia’s leading distributors of appliance spare parts — built on a foundation of customer service, product knowledge, and strong supplier relationships. As we mark this incredible milestone, we’re taking the opportunity to recognise the key partnerships that have helped shape our success. One of those long-standing relationships is with Panasonic — a brand that shares our commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. About PanasonicFounded in Japan in 1918, Panasonic is a global leader in the development of advanced technologies and solutions across consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B sectors. In Australia, Panasonic has become a trusted household name — delivering products that combine smart engineering with everyday convenience. From kitchen and laundry appliances to air conditioners and personal care, Panasonic appliances are designed to enrich lives, backed by a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. A Shared Commitment to ExcellencePanasonic delivers reliable, high-quality appliances that have stood the test of time in Australian homes. At Statewide, we’re proud to support these products by supplying genuine Panasonic spare parts, helping customers extend the life of their appliances and keep them performing at their best. “On behalf of Panasonic Australia, I would like to congratulate the Team at Statewide on reaching the remarkable milestone of 40 years in business. This achievement stands as a testament to your professionalism and industry leadership. The Panasonic – Statewide partnership is one built on trust and shared goals and has been underpinned by Statewide’s enduring commitment to excellence. Panasonic looks forward to continuing this relationship with confidence.” Denis Bernard, Panasonic Australia. Reflecting on the strength of this relationship, David Stretton, CEO of Statewide Appliance Spares, shared: “Our partnership with Panasonic has always been grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to delivering quality and reliability to customers. Their continued support has played a significant role in our growth, and we’re proud to be trusted as a national distributor of their genuine parts.” To our valued partners at Panasonic — thank you for your ongoing trust and collaboration.  Shop Panasonic spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares.