Simple Tasks That Will Save Your Appliances.

If you added up what you spent on your appliances, it would be a really big number. Trust me. With a little elbow grease, you can make your appliances last a lot longer.

  1. Furnace: Change your furnace filters every month; more if you’re in a dusty neighborhood. Your furnace won’t have to work so hard and there will be less dust in the air to trigger allergies and make your house look dusty. A tune up every year will keep it running smoothly and problems can be headed off at the pass.
  2. Water heater: Flush your water heater at least once per year. Debris and minerals collect in the bottom and may block the release valve and the sediment encourages rust which shortens the life of your unit.
  3. Refrigerator: Dust the coils regularly. A tool that looks like a giant bottle brush is made just for this task. Pull your fridge out, vacuum underneath and wash up any dirt. Wash the door seals and make sure they are making complete contact. Generally, Less energy is wasted if you keep it stocked up. Cover food before putting it away. Clean up spills quickly.
  4. Dryer: Clean out the lint trap every time. Think of it as the mouth of the dryer. If the air can’t get through the lint trap, your dryer can’t breathe properly. IF you keep it clean clothes will dry faster and your dryer will last longer. Vacuum out the the dryer vent from the inside and the outside. Dirty dryer vents are a major cause of house fires.
  5. Washing machine: Don’t overload or underload your machine. Use the appropriate water level to get the best results. Keep the loads balanced so the drum can turn well. If you have a front loader, you can reduce the amount of soap you use. Flush a little water through your dispensers occasionally to avoid buildup.
  6. Air conditioner: Keep the unit free of any weeds, leaves or other debris. Clean the unit with a cleaner made specifically for air conditioners. Cover your unit for the winter.
  7. Food disposer: Disposer units are not really made to clean out all the old food from your refrigerator. Most disposers don’t like things like potato skins, egg shells or celery. If your unit stops working, check for anything that may have fallen in. If it’s clear and it’s still stuck, use the allen wrench that comes with your unit. Insert the short end into the bottom of the unit and turn a quarter turn. This should make it work. Use large amounts of water when running your disposer.
  8. Stove and range: The best thing you can do for your stove is keep it clean. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. If you have a gas range, clean out the burners if they don’t seem to be working properly. Soak them in hot water and use a pin to clear any clogged holes. Make sure they are completely dry before reassembling.
  9. Microwave: Make sure the gasket on the door is clean and isn’t damaged.. Clean up spills quickly.
  10. Dishwater: Keep your dishwasher clean and free of food particles that collect in the bottom. Running an empty dishwasher with a cup of vinegar periodically will help cut down on hard water deposits. If you can’t eliminate deposits, you may want to use a stronger cleaner, like CLR. Check for blocked holes in your spin arms and clean them with a toothpick or skewer. Make sure your garbage disposer has been run and is empty before running your washer. If you have trouble with food particles on your clean dishes, it may be that your disposer is washing back into your dishwasher.
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