When it comes to maintenance in your home, you have to know the key requirements for keeping your major appliances in top working order. From your dishwasher to your refrigerator and washing machine, taking a few easy preventive measures now can save you costly repairs and replacements down the road. And the best part of all is that you don’t even need a lot of mechanical expertise to perform upkeep on your appliances. It just takes a little common sense and a little effort.
So, stave off those costly breakdowns and repairs, give your appliances a good, long life with these expert tips:
Dishwashers
Let’s face it, our dishwashers have a pretty dirty job to do. And on your part, it takes a bit more than just cleaning your dishwasher to keep it running in top shape. One element that you need to keep up with is the filter. Most newer washers use a filter system that traps food particles during the wash cycle. You’ll need to do regular checks on this filter, and clean it out in order to prevent food and other bits, like pits and seeds, from getting trapped.
Another concern that requires attention with your dishwasher is that of mineral deposits from hard water in the water holes in the washer’s spray arm. To counter this, you can simply clean out the water jets in the spray arm with something small, like a toothpick. You should also keep an eye on the water inlet valve, as it too can begin to clog over time, and if this gets clogged, your dishwasher won’t be able to put out the proper amount of hot water. If you find that your water inlet valve is clogged beyond cleaning or repair, simply replace it.
Refrigerators
The best and easiest way to keep your refrigerator running in top shape is to simply keep it clean, both inside and out. This includes regularly cleaning under and behind the appliance. It’s particularly important to remove and clean the refrigerator’s base grill, and often, in order to improve air flow to the fridge’s components. You also need to make cleaning the coils at the bottom or behind a regular habit so the coils can efficiently cool.
Another often overlooked element of your fridge that you need to keep clean are the door seals. If they become sticky, it’s time to clean them with warm, soapy water. You might even consider coating the seals in a thin layer of petroleum jelly in order to make them last longer.
You also don’t want to forget to clean your ice maker. If you have a built-in ice and water dispenser, regularly clean the drip tray. We recommend cleaning at least every two to three months. The same cleaning goes for your ice bucket to avoid any foul odors from building up.
Washing Machines
If you have a top-loading washer, the good news is that they require very little maintenance. However, if you have a front-loading washer, they tend to need a bit more care. For instance, when you finish running a front-loading washer, it’s best to leave the door wide open to allow air to circulate in the washer. This prevents moisture from getting trapped, which can turn into nasty mold and mildew problems.
As far as general cleaning, you might want to start running an empty cycle with just a washing machine specific cleaner through your appliance at least once per month to keep it nice and fresh. When you do this, go ahead and check the door’s rubber gasket to make sure that it remains clean and intact. In addition to these regular cleanings and checks, a general rule of advice for keeping your washing machine in top working order is to simply avoid overloading it. Heavy loads can quickly wear down your machine’s components compared to average usage.
It really doesn’t require much time or effort to take these simple steps toward maintaining your major household appliances, and trust us, the payoff is absolutely worth it! When you have clean, well-maintained appliances, they can run for years and years, which saves you both the hassle and money of replacements. Of course, even with great care, eventually every appliance will see its last day, and when that day comes and you need assistance, give us a call!
