Simple Preventive Maintainance to Make Your Appliances Last

How many appliances do you have in your home? A lot, right? These appliances are very useful to have, they make our daily lives better and easier. However, if not properly maintained, appliances won’t last long. And if we’re being honest, appliances are expensive to be replaced so often.

If you’re wondering what preventative steps you can take to prolong the life of your appliances, here are some of the answers you may have been looking for.

1. Maintaining your dishwasher

Your dishwasher is probably the one appliance that works day in and day out. This is exactly why maintaining it should be a priority. Many people think that a dishwasher doesn’t need any sort of maintenance, but the truth is slightly different.

A dishwasher takes care of your dirty dishes, removing food residue and making the dishes clean again. Have you ever wondered where that food residue ends up?

Yes, it’s a disgusting thought, but if you want to be able to use your dishwasher for years to come, you need to think about things like that.

Most dishwashers come with a filter system that traps the food residue during every washing cycle. To make sure that your dishwasher is running smoothly, you’ll need to clean the filter regularly to prevent food build-up and clogging.

In addition to that, you’ll also need to unclog the water holes and jets that spray the water. Hard water tends to clog these holes, as well as a water inlet valve. There are instances when changing the valve will be inevitable, as well.

Also, to keep the dishwasher clean, run it empty from time to time.

2. Fridge also needs your attention

The only maintenance your fridge needs is to be kept clean. Make sure you clean both the inside and the outside of the fridge.

In addition to cleaning the inside of your fridge, the shelves, and drawers, also wipe down the outside of it. Don’t forget to clean under your fridge and behind it as well.

Behind or under your fridge, you’ll find refrigerator coils. These coils release the heat and when they get clogged, you risk your fridge breaking down. That’s why you need a brush to gently clean the dust and hair from the coils.

If your fridge features an ice dispenser, you’ll also need to keep that clean. This is something that needs to be cleaned at least every two to three months.

3. Ovens and microwaves

To prevent frequent oven repairs, and to extend the life of your oven, you’ll need to clean it at least once a month. Cleaning the grime from your oven is not the nicest of jobs, but if you let it pile up, without regularly cleaning it, the job will be even more difficult and disgusting.

In addition to cleaning your oven once a month, you should deep clean it twice a year. If you fail to clean your oven regularly, the grime and burnt food, and grease will block the oven from reaching the desired temperatures.

Your microwave ovens also need some attention. Depending on how frequently you use it, make sure you wipe down the inside of your microwave to prevent the development of bacteria and corrosion.

4. Blenders and food processors

When it comes to blenders, they need to be completely taken apart and cleaned. Separate the glass and base and wash and clean them. If you use the blender daily, make sure you clean it with warm soapy water after every use.

The same can be said about your food processors. Replacing the blades is not the only thing that your food processor needs. Sometimes, the blades aren’t even the problem, it’s the food build-up that prevents them from working properly.

So, make sure you clean the processor after every use. Simply clean it with warm soapy water after every use and you won’t be having any problems.

5. Washing machine

Another appliance you’d never think needs maintenance is your washing machine. However, even washing machines get dirty from time to time. To keep the washing machine clean and, in that way, expand its lifetime, just run an empty wash cycle with vinegar and a bit of detergent. This will remove any build-up of soap and hard water, as well as mildew.

One more thing that you’ll need to frequently replace on the washing machine, just to be sure that it’s running smoothly, is the hose. Hoses are made of rubber and with time and use they can harden and crack and bulge. To be safe, try replacing your washing machine hose every 5 years if not more.

6. Dryer

When doing the preventive maintenance on your washing machine make sure you check the dryer as well. Keeping your dryer trap clean and lint-free is a must. If you let the lint build up, you risk reducing the efficiency of your dryer and even causing a fire hazard.

In addition to regular cleaning of the trap, make sure you keep the exhaust vent clean at least once a year. Also, don’t forget to secure the cords and hoses properly.

7. Air conditioner maintenance

Not properly maintaining your air conditioner can be not only expensive but also a health risk. ACS have filters that need to be regularly cleaned. If the filters get clogged, they block the airflow which in turn causes coils to get dirty. Dirty coils mean the impaired ability of your AC to absorb heat. This all leads to expensive issues and repairs.

Not to mention that dirty air filters can cause indoor air pollution triggering allergies and sinus problems.

It may seem now like each of these tips are huge, time-consuming chores, but if you take that you don’t need to do each of them daily and that each measure can save you a hefty amount of money, you’ll realize that properly maintaining your appliances pays off.

Of course, you need to be aware that appliances won’t last forever even with regular maintenance. The point of these preventive tips is to prolong their lifespan and to save you the money you’d spend on different kinds of repairs and replacements.

Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney-based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndersonJess_AJ