If you’re anything like us, you probably haven’t thought about your appliances once before they broke down unexpectedly. It’s so easy to forget how much we depend on our major appliances. Your dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, oven, microwave and dryer are the heroes of your home, and keep your daily schedule running smoothly whether you take the time to think about them or not. And, if you’re anything like us, you’d rather put some effort into regular maintenance than pay to call a technician to fix your appliances in the event of a failure. So, for your benefit,we’ve compiled a list of some of the easiest maintenance tricks and tips you can follow to extend the lifespan of your appliances, and save time and money on future repairs! Read below:
1. Dishwashers – Always pre-rinse your dishes!
Sure, new dishwashers advertise as “No Rise Needed!”, but in the end, it’s always a good idea to pre-rinse your dishes for the health of your dishwasher. Over extended periods of time, food debris and other gunk can cause your dishwasher’s pump to fail prematurely, or stop up the spray arms, leading to costly repairs and even costlier annoyance.
2. Washers – Clean it out every once in a while.
Newer washers most likely have an option which will allow you to clean out the interior of your dishwasher. Use a detergent or soap intended for this purpose, and clean your dishwasher without any dishes inside to remove excess debris and food residue which accumulates.
3. Refrigerator – Keep it clean and tidy!
A clean fridge is a happy fridge. Clean the inside of your refrigerator regularly by wiping it down with a damp cloth, removing old food and not overstocking. Remember to also regularly clean the fridge’s condenser coils by vacuuming excess dust and debris and wiping them down with a cloth. Experts recommend doing this at least twice a year.
4. Freezer – Defrosting once every few months is a great idea.
Clean your freezer by unplugging it, removing all food and allowing it to defrost. You’ll want to wipe it down with a baking soda solution and use water to rinse it out before plugging it back in. While many freezers today are frost free, older models will need to be defrosted before ice inside gets to be about half an inch thick.
5. Washing Machine – Always stick to the recommended load.
We all want to cram as much as possible into a single load of laundry, but in fact, overloading can damage your machine’s parts due to the excess stress caused by the weight. The washer’s parts have to work much harder than intended, stressing the motor, bearings and other parts which will require repair much more quickly.
6. Dryer- Clean the vent after every load, not when the light comes on.
Get into the habit of cleaning the vent after each load, and not just when the indicator comes on. If you do this, your dryer has to work less hard to dry your clothes, and will overall experience less wear on the components.
7. Oven and Stove – Scrub the inside and outside free from food debris.
Clean inside and outside your oven or stove, never allowing any food to stick around on the burners. If your oven is self-cleaning, experts suggest using the feature, but avoiding the use of aluminum foil under the baking element.
8. All Appliances – Replace your Filters
Whatever kind of an appliance you are looking to keep running, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions about filter replacement and use. Follow cleaning and replacement guidelines to the dot, whether you’re looking for your charcoal filter or dishwasher filter.
Appliance Handyman London is your London Ontario location for all things appliance repair. Contact us today for affordable, local repairs, installation and maintenance of all appliances including refrigerators, ovens, stoves, washers, washing machines, dryers and more. Get in touch today and receive a free estimate over the phone.