These home appliance maintenance tips and tricks will help you get your money’s worth. So remember to bookmark this page for your spring cleaning!
Home Appliance Maintenance Tips To Save A Few Bucks
I’ll admit, I used to shrug off on anything home appliance maintenance-related tips because I didn’t like dealing with the appliances. But sooner or later, the cost of new equipment paired with the bills of a repairman began to take its toll on our wallets. After that happened, I made up my mind to make my home appliances last longer with the help of some maintenance tricks my husband, Dave, and I, can do ourselves.
1. Clean A Fridge’s Rubber Gaskets
They say fridges and freezers have a lifespan of over 10 years. To help you get the full amount of years, make sure you regularly check the rubber gaskets found on your fridge and freezer doors. Once in a while, scrub off food and debris with some soap and water and dry with a towel. This will help the doors seal tight, trapping all the cool air inside for your food.
2. Clean The Microwave
A microwave can be pretty overworked sometimes. This only means you have to double up on the cleaning for it. Do a steam clean by placing water and lemon slices in a microwave-safe bowl and let it heat up in the microwave. The water vapor will help make the wipe down easier.
3. Keep Your Dishwasher Smelling Fresh
Make a point to do a weekly rinse of 1 cup of vinegar in your dishwasher to keep it smelling fresh. Just be sure you don’t have any pots or plates in the dishwasher when you do this.
4. Clean The Air Conditioner Filter
Clean your air conditioner filters once every two to four weeks for optimum airflow. If you have a reusable filter, vacuum it to remove the dirt. On the other hand, if you have a disposable one, simply take it out and replace with a new filter.
5. Clear Out The Crumbs In Your Toaster
Most people aren’t aware toasters have a crumb tray. If left unattended and overflowing, this could turn into a fire hazard. Depending on how many times you use a toaster, I’d say it’d be good to empty the crumb tray once a week.
6. Clean Up Stove Spills
Spilled food can stop a stove burner from turning on. To remedy this, grab a toothbrush and gently brush off the spills from the igniter.
7. Change Your Water Filter
Over time, water filters can clog up from trapping sediments, which makes it difficult for water to pass through. It’s recommended to change filters every 3-6 months or even sooner, especially if you have already noticed a change in water pressure and color.
8. Check Your Washing Machine’s Hoses
Prevent any floods or leaks in your laundry room by inspecting the hoses of your washing machine. Be on the lookout for any cracks, weak spots, and deformities. It’s also a good idea to replace the hoses every five years.
9. Heat Up Your Clothes Dryer
If you think your dryer could use a little extra help when it comes to heating your clothes, the solution could be to unclog the lint filter. You can test this first by running water over the filter. If it holds water, then it’s time to start cleaning. Using a stiff kitchen brush, scrub the filter with a bit of laundry detergent and hot water.
10. Keep The Blades Of Your Disposal Sharp
This hack will not only keep your blades sharp, but it will also give your garbage disposal a refreshing scent. Pop water and lemon slices in an ice tray and leave them to freeze. Once frozen, drop the fruity ice cubes in and switch your disposal on.
Home appliance maintenance is a key trick of the trade when it comes to saving money. Not only are you able to make the most of your current appliances, but applying these maintenance tricks also gives you the confidence to fix almost anything under your roof. Don’t forget to try out some of these maintenance tips during spring cleaning season!
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*EDITORS NOTE* This post was originally published in March 2017, it has been updated for accuracy and relevancy.
These are easy and simple hacks, anyone can do it.
He forgot to turn the toaster upside down to get the crumbs in the top ridge. Also NEVER leave a toaster plugged in. It can be a fire hazard.