Home appliances have come a long way in making life simpler! Whether you are cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, or any other chores that need to be done regularly to maintain a home, home appliances are lifesavers. Mechanical and electrical appliances are bound to see some wear and tear through the years. Inevitably, some will break down or need repairs. In the following article, Summit Way Realty discusses appliance care and how to avoid costly repairs.
The Importance of Appliance Maintenance
To keep the repairs few and far between, routine maintenance checks are important. Like all mechanical devices, home appliances also require to be periodically maintained. Periodical maintenance extends the appliances’ service life and, in the long run, saves you time, energy, and money. The regular practice of appliance maintenance can go a long way in preventing unexpected breakdowns. Even the simple task of cleaning your appliances and maintaining them just by a quick clean after use can extend their life.
Using the appliances in the way that they were designed to and never overloading them or asking them to perform in ways they are not meant to can go a long way to their continued efficient performance. Be gentle when you operate controls or close and open the doors of refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, and other appliances. Doing so ensures that their hinges are not stressed, and any switches and other safety devices often attached to doors are not damaged.
Instead of having to search for appliance repair near me, check out some simple tips for home appliance maintenance and care for some of the more common appliances below.
Appliance Care Tips
Refrigerators
Every refrigerator must have good air circulation and must never be pushed too close to walls and corners. It is a good idea to regularly check the condition of the door gasket. If the gasket is torn or leaks air, this will cause your refrigerator to work harder and longer, which can cause it to strain its moving parts. Condenser coils need to be free of dirt and should be cleaned at least once a year. Follow these tips to avoid needing refrigerator repair.
Washing machines
Never overload the washing machine to more than three-quarters of the size of its tub. Make sure that you use less detergent rather than more detergent as an excess of detergent could cause a buildup and cause it to have a bad smell. It is important to regularly clean the tub and all the deposits inside of your washing machine. Fortunately, there are products on the market that can facilitate this cleaning and they just require to be used with a full load of water. It is suggested to regularly clean the tub at least once every two months. Most models of washing machines have separate cycles for cleaning, making the whole task that much easier. Washing machines also have lint traps that need to be periodically emptied and cleaned.
Remember, dryers also need attention. Regularly clean screens and vents to avoid a fire hazard, overheating the dryer, and keep your dryer in good condition.
Air conditioners
Air conditioner care is vital to maintain climate control comfort in your home. While regular servicing at least once or twice in a season is best left to the professionals, there are simple things like cleaning or replacing filters that can help in the maintenance of the air conditioner. Most models have filters that are easy to reach and remove. All you need to do is remove them and replace them with a new filter. If you have a washable filter put the filter under running water and clean them thoroughly. Washable HVAC filters should be cleaned at least once a month. Make sure you have a regular service contract for maintenance of your HVAC system, or if you do not have one, mark your calendar and call the right service technician at periodic intervals.
Ovens, Stoves, and Ranges
These are often the most heavily used of home appliances and need to be kept in the cleanest of conditions at all times. Oil and residue from edible items that are constantly being heated, or even water, can lead to dirtying the top surfaces. Besides the fact that dirty appliances can make the kitchen look unkempt, it can also lead to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The condition of your oven, stove, or range may affect the safety of your food and in return, affect your health.
Burners should be cleaned regularly and replaced if the burning is uneven. Many ovens have a self-cleaning option that should be used at least once every six months. Vents and hoods should be cleaned regularly, as they have grease filters that get clogged. Fan blades also require cleaning. While the above appliance care tasks may sound overwhelming, just a quick clean-up after use should help to avoid any serious messes and damage.
Microwave
A few simple tips are all it takes to avoid having to replace the trusty microwave:
- Unplug your microwave when it is not being used if it sits on the counter.
- Never run your microwave when you have not put anything in it.
- Always use microwave-safe dishes.
- Never put any metallic objects in your microwave as this can cause a fire.
Vacuum Cleaner
This is another piece of equipment that gets heavy use and can benefit from proper maintenance. Be sure to always empty the filter at regular intervals. And make sure that the other attachments on the machine are always clean. If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, make sure that you clean it or replace it as recommended by the manufacturer to help increase the life of your vacuum.
Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal comes in handy and can be used regularly as long as you remember the following key tips. Avoid using your garbage disposal to get rid of large food items, which need to be cut to the smallest possible sizes. Manufacturers will suggest that these disposal units are not used for certain items like coffee grounds, pasta, rice, and eggshells. Additionally, pits, seeds, and vegetables, and fruits that are fibrous should not be put down the garbage disposal. Avoid the use of hot water for the process of grinding and continue the use of cold water for at least a minute after you have turned the garbage disposal off.
Last Thoughts on the Above Simple Tips for Home Appliances
Summit Way Realty is here to help you not only find your dream home but sell your current property. To keep your home in good condition, it is important to follow the above tips on home appliance care. Save money where you can by putting in a little bit of extra work to keep appliances running well. Owning a home is a big responsibility, and part of the responsibility is maintaining the appliances. Contact Summit Way Realty today for advice and tips on real estate, home-owning, and more!