We all fear that our washing machine would break in the middle of the cycle and flood the laundry room. Or maybe the fridge would shut down after we restock with groceries, the oven would stop operating just before Christmas. Fortunately, these major malfunctions could be avoided easily with a few simple tasks that you could do on your own. Here are five easy appliance maintenance tips to try with a bit of patience and investment.
Appliance Maintenance Tips
1. Clean your AC Filter
Dirty or clogged filters can limit the air flow, thus reducing the appliance lifespan and energy efficiency. For this reason, you should clean the filters in your air conditioning system at least once in every 2 or 4 weeks. To do this, just remove its front panel and use the necessary tools to clean. If your AC has a reusable filter, just vacuum it to get rid of dirt. Consider replacing disposable filters.
2. Deodorize or Clean Garbage Disposal
Turn off the disposal and check for any suck, large items in the drain. Use tongs or similar tools to get rid of blockages. Pour down a solution of vinegar or salt and ice cubes, then rinse with cold water for 15 seconds. To remove smells, you can put a few citrus peels in the garbage disposal and run cool water before turning it on.
3. Ensure a Proper Seal on the Oven Door
Without a tight seal, the oven could lose most of the heat when operating. As a result, it will take longer for food to cook, your food will cook unevenly. To check this, just open the door and find the fiberglass or rubber gasket around the door’s perimeter. Look for any deformed, torn, or broken parts, then close the door and see whether you could see any leak. If yes, then you should replace it as soon as possible.
4. Clean Coils in the Fridge
Pet hair, dust, and dirt could clog up your fridge coils, thus affecting air flows and cause the unit to operate harder to ensure a cool condition. Thus, you should clean these parts at least 1 or 2 times each year with a handheld vacuum. Make sure to suck up all loose particles as well. The exact location of fridge coils can vary by model and make, but most could be found at the rear or behind the plate.
5. Clean the Dryer Exhaust
Lint buildup in your dryer exhaust can reduce the efficiency of the appliance as well as lead to a fire hazard. You can simply clean it by loosening the clamp and pulling off the exhaust from the dryer’s back. Use your hands to eliminate large amounts of lint from the hole and the tubing in the back. If you cannot reach the area, scrape gently with a coat hanger.
The Bottom Line
Repairing or replacing a broken appliance would be time-consuming and difficult for many people, especially when they lack know-how and skills. Although if you following these simple and quick appliance maintenance tips, your appliances will run like new for many coming years.