1. Maintenance Tips for Dishwashers:
Dishwashers are considered a kitchen essential and it is not overly difficult to keep your dishwasher operating in great condition. With proper care and attention, you can expect great performance for many years to come.
- Run it Regularly: One of the best ways to keep a dishwasher operating properly is to run it regularly. Regular operation prevents food and other debris settling and becoming trickier to clean later. So, even if you don’t use lots of dishes, try running a half load instead of waiting.
- Use Vinegar: Vinegar is a very handy cleaning tool for many appliances and it can be highly effective in dishwashers. Pour a cup or two of vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher and run a low setting cycle. This will allow the vinegar to circulate to clean the entire interior. Don’t worry about the odor, as the strong smell will fairly quickly dissipate once the door is open.
- Check the Racks: If the coating starts to wear off your dish racks, you will need to repair or replace them. Damaged racks can start to corrode, introducing small pieces of rusty metal to enter the dishwasher, which can enter the pump, causing damage.
- Clean the Spinning Arms: Even if you’re diligent about using a dishwasher cleaner product, debris may still be lingering in the spinning arms that spray the water around the dishwasher interior. Those tiny holes seem to attract bits of food debris, which can compromise the water flow and introduce dirt onto your clean dishes. Carefully pull any debris from the spinning arms using a sturdy, small item such as a paperclip.
- Care for the Seal: The seal around the dishwasher door is vital for avoiding water leaks, but it does need a little TLC. Use a soft cloth with a water and vinegar solution to remove any grime or gunk that can accumulate and compromise the seal.
2. Maintenance Tips for Washing Machines:
Many of us forget all about our washing machines until something goes wrong, but with some preventative maintenance, you can minimize the risk of problems.
- Check the Detergent Recommendations: Many people assume that more suds equals more cleaning power, but this is not the case. In fact, excess suds can compromise the cleaning performance of your washing machine. So, be sure to check the manufacturer recommendations for how much detergent you should use. Pay careful attention to only use a HE detergent if you have a high efficiency appliance.
- Allow Air Circulation: After you’ve washed a load, leave the door open a little. This will allow air circulation to properly dry the interior and reduce the risk of mold and mildew developing.
- Don’t Let Wet Laundry Sit: Likewise, allowing a load of wet laundry to sit in the machine for hours and hours can encourage mold and mildew. Additionally, your laundry is likely to start to smell less than fresh and you may end up rewashing, wasting water and energy.
- Clean Your Washer: You can’t expect a dirty machine to properly clean anything, so make sure that you periodically clean your washer. Use a water and vinegar solution to wipe down the door, drum, dispensers and gasket. Additionally, once every month or two use a hot wash cycle with an empty washer, using either vinegar or detergent to help keep the washer interior super clean.
3. Maintenance Tips for Dryers:
For most people line drying laundry is not possible, particularly throughout the entire year, so it is vital that your dryer is operating efficiently for as long as possible.
- Upgrade the Vent: Many dryer models are supplied with basic plastic white tubing to vent the appliance. Unfortunately, this material is very cheap and prone to cracking and melting, putting your home at risk of fire. Upgrade this low grade tubing with proper aluminum tubes to comply with fire safety codes.
- Clean the Lint Trap: Most of us know you should clear the lint trap after every load, but you may not realize why it is important. Lint accumulation can compromise airflow and put your dryer at risk of overheating. So, be diligent about cleaning the lint trap. Additionally, periodically, clear the vent tubing and vent cap to prevent carbon monoxide leaks and reduce the risk of fire.
- Check the Stability: When you first installed your dryer, you may have checked to make sure it is level, but over time, the appliance may have shifted due to regular use or uneven loads. Unfortunately, if the stability is compromised and your dryer is shaking, it is liable to have premature part failures. Periodically, try to shake the dryer to make sure it is still stable and adjust the dryer legs as necessary.
- Monitor Performance: When you use the dryer, try to monitor the performance to see if it is taking longer than usual to dry your clothing. If the drying cycle is prolonged, it could be a sign of a lint built up or another underlying issue that needs attention. Taking a proactive stance could mean a minor repair rather than waiting and ending up with a hefty repair bill.
4. Maintenance Tips for Refrigerators:
Our refrigerators are one of the only appliances in the home that run 24/7, so it is important that your refrigerator is working efficiently. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to improve efficiency and prolong the lifespan of the appliance.
- Properly Fill It: Refrigerators need to cool the air inside the cavity, so if your refrigerator is almost empty, it will need to work harder as there is more space to fill. When your refrigerator is well stocked, the cold food creates thermal mass, which can help to keep the temperature cool even when you open the door. Just bear in mind that you will still need to leave some space between items, so don’t pack it too tight!
- Adjust the Settings: Many people set their refrigerator and then forget all about it, but it is vital that your refrigerator runs at the proper temperature. The ideal temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees for the refrigerator section and 0 degrees for the freezer. Unfortunately, the weather outside and other factors can impact the refrigerator temperature, so it is important to check and adjust accordingly. If your refrigerator does not have a built in thermometer, sit one inside to ensure you maintain the correct settings.
- Clean Your Coils: Condenser coils are either at the back or on the bottom of your refrigerator and they are responsible for dispelling excess heat from the appliance. Unfortunately, dust and grime can accumulate on the coils, forcing the refrigerator to work harder, putting it at risk of overheating. Once a year, unplug and pull out your refrigerator to dust off the coils using a soft cloth.
5. Maintenance Tips for Ovens:
Finally, there are some tips that can prolong the lifespan of your oven.
- Prevent or Clean Spills Quickly: If you’re cooking something that may drip or boil over, place the dish on a baking sheet to catch anything. If something does spill, clean it immediately to prevent a difficult mess.
- Clean Regularly: If your oven has a self cleaning cycle, run the whole cycle periodically, but keep an eye on it. Once the cycle has finished, wait until it cools down and then wipe down any debris from the interior. If your oven does not have a self cleaning feature, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior regularly. If you have stubborn food accumulation, you can use a baking soda and vinegar solution to loosen it.
- Don’t Spray Knobs Directly: Grime and food debris can accumulate around the knobs on your oven or stovetop, but be careful how you clean them. Most models have removable knobs for easier cleaning, but don’t spray this area with cleanser directly, as you could damage the sensitive electronic components. Instead, spray cleanser onto a cloth or paper towel and wipe down the entire area.
Of course, no appliance will last forever, but with a little care and attention, you can increase the useful lifespan of your appliances. If you follow these tips and recommendations, you can add years to the lifespan of your appliances.
Unfortunately, your home appliances will reach a point where they are no longer operating efficiently and you will need to upgrade to a new model. If you’re thinking about new home appliances, you can explore your options with our online appliance collections or speak to one of our home appliance specialists who would be delighted to provide further help and guidance. As for getting your appliances repaired, contact a home appliance repair technician.
