When you decide to buy a new piece of equipment for your home, you usually take several factors into consideration, such as the price, the functions, the reputation of the manufacturer etc. because you usually intend to use these devices for a long time. However, regardless of the quality of the product
in order for it to work properly, you have to make sure you keep up with its maintenance. Here are some tips to help you prolong the life of your home appliances.
Take Care of the Gaskets
Most of the home appliances in our homes have gaskets but we somehow tend to forget about them. For example, keeping the door gaskets of your refrigerator clean can save you a lot of money seeing as how improperly closed doors make the fridge run longer, which results in higher bills. Furthermore, having sticky build-up on your fridge door gasket might end up in a tear if you try to pull hard on the stuck door. Replacing the gasket can be costly, so it’s best to keep it clean. Use warm water and a sponge, and avoid detergents.
Check the Coils
In case your refrigerator coils are clogged, the appliance will be using much more energy than needed because the flow of air is obstructed. This obstruction can be caused by anything from pet hair to dust and dirt. Locate your coils and use a rag to dust off all visible dirt. Vacuum it afterwards to take care of the fine dust. Doing this a couple of times a year will help your fridge’s efficiency.
Replace the Water Filter
While you should not do any serious repairs on your own, there are some appliance parts you can replace without the help of experts. Water filters in your fridge are one of those parts. You should get a new one at least every six months. If there are any impurities, the water you drink might be contaminated, which is why it is vital to keep this task in mind.
Don’t Overload Your Washer and Dryer
Even though it might seem like you are saving energy, water and time by filling your washer or dryer completely, this can actually be quite detrimental to the appliance. It can damage the motors and belts as well as other moving parts. Repairing or replacing some of these elements is so expensive that buying a completely new appliance might be cheaper.
Remove the Lint from the Dryer
In order to maintain the proper heating and ventilation of the dryer, the lint trap should be cleaned after each load. Moreover, keep the outside exhaust clean as any clogs can increase energy use and lengthen the drying time. Also, bear in mind the fact that lint is flammable, so keep the vent pipe clean to avoid a fire.
Tend to the Air Conditioner
To keep the AC unit running properly, you should clean the filters and coils regularly. A blocked filter obstructs the airflow, which causes the appliance to use more energy than it needs to. It can also no longer purify the air and you might end up with respiratory issues. Dirty coils also decrease the appliance’s efficiency, so don’t forget about them either.
Clean the Garbage Disposal
To keep the unpleasant smells in check, you should pour a mixture of ice cubes and white vinegar (or salt) down the drain to sanitize it. Wash it down with cold water and add some lime slices and peels to deal with the odour. You can also lift the flaps of the splash guard and scrub them with a grease-cutting cleaner and a toothbrush.
Keep the Oven and Microwave Clean
If you do not have a self-cleaning oven, you should pay close attention to its maintenance as grease residue can cause fires and malfunctions. Make sure that the vent isn’t clogged so that the fumes are allowed to escape. When it comes to microwaves, you should make sure your kids do not put any aluminium foil in it as that is sure to wreak havoc. Moreover, be gentle when closing the doors and keep the vents clear.
These eight tips are just some of the measures you can take to prevent your home appliances from malfunctioning. Perform regular maintenance and your home appliances are guaranteed a long life
View Comments (2)
As an appliance repair service, these are all good tips to make the client aware of. Especially ensuring the refrigerator and freezer coils are cleaned and dusted off. It is probably the most important little trick to having your refrigerator run efficiently as well as prolong the overall lifespan of the appliance. I find that giving clients tips like these when making repairs goes along way towards high customer satisfaction. Great tips! Thanks.
This is a very informative content. To homeowners, I know you always wish to have a prolonged life span on your appliances. If inevitable and still repairable, you may also visit some appliance repair services provider in your area. Let them look first on the broken appliances before having these changed.