Expert Tips for Maintaining Your Home Appliances

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If you’ve wondered whether there is a way to extend your home appliances’ lifespan, you’d be happy to learn that there is one. All it takes for your home appliances to function properly for years to come is some serious maintenance.

Maintaining your appliances will have other benefits apart from just helping them live longer. It will also improve energy efficiency and help you avoid costly repairs. With these expert tips, you’ll be able to keep all your home appliances in top condition!

Regular Cleaning

One of the most important tips when it comes to appliance maintenance is regular cleaning. Each appliance requires specific cleaning methods. For instance, when you clean your refrigerator, you should clean the coils at the back and wipe down interior and exterior.

When you clean the dishwasher and the washing machine, you should run a cycle with vinegar or a suitable cleaner to remove deposits and prevent mould and mildew build-up. For the oven and stovetop, make sure to clean the spills immediately and use appropriate cleaners to prevent damage.

Check and Replace Filters

Another tip that will save your home appliances is regularly checking their filters. Of course, if you notice anything wrong, make sure to replace them. For HVAC systems, the filter should be replaced every 1-3 months, for instance.

The refrigerator water filter should normally be replaced every 6 months for water and ice to be clean. You should replace the filter in the dryer as well. Make sure to clean the lint filter after each load and check for blockages in the dryer vent annually.

Maintain Proper Usage

No matter how often and how thorough you clean your appliances and their filters, if you’re not using them properly, you won’t do much. Proper usage of a washing machine would include avoiding overloading it, for instance. It would also include using the right amount of detergent.

You should avoid overloading the dishwasher too, and make sure that you always place items properly to ensure water circulation and proper cleaning. When it comes to microwave, avoid running it empty and use containers to prevent damage.

Inspect for Wear and Tear

Another tip that will prolong the lifespan of your appliances is noticing possible issues on time. You should always check whether there are obvious signs of damage on the appliances. On the refrigerator, look for cracks and gaps on the door seals.

On the washing machine and dryer, inspect the hoses and schedule a necessary washing machine repair, if you notice serious problems. Inspect the heating elements and burners on the oven and stovetop to look for signs of wear or damage.

Professional Maintenance

Professional maintenance is a step further that will ensure that your appliances are always functioning flawlessly. Annual maintenance for HVAC system is necessary to ensure that the system works efficiently.

You should also have a professional inspect and flush the water heater once a year. That will help remove sediment build-up. If you’ve had issues with certain appliances, you can consider regular professional servicing, especially if you have older appliances.

Energy Efficiency Tips

With some energy efficiency tips, you can properly care for your home appliances. For instance, make sure to keep the temperature at 37-40°F (3-4°C) for the refrigerator and 0°F (-18°C) for the freezer. Then, avoid running the dishwasher unless it’s full and turn on the eco or energy-saving mode.

You can do the same for the washing machine. Apart from that, you can wash clothes in cold water to save energy and even prevent fabric wear.

Emergency Preparedness

Finally, be aware of your appliance’s limits. Don’t use them during power surges or outages. Make sure to unplug them during storms and other extreme weather conditions.

To be well-prepared for emergencies, have a basic toolkit. Some basic tools such as screwdrivers and pliers will come in handy in case you have to perform some minor repairs.

Conclusion

Maintaining your home appliances isn’t a 24h job. As long as you use them and clean them properly with occasional check-ups, you should have functioning appliances all around the house.