Home appliances have become an inseparable part of our lives. They add comfort and convenience in life and because of that, they have become like vital organs nowadays. Unfortunately, like most things, these appliances have a lifespan. Once they stop functioning, you are forced to purchase a replacement. However, there are ways to extend the life of home appliances. It’s actually quite easy. All you need to do is regularly clean, maintain, and care for them.
Following are 4 ways to prolong the life of your home appliances:
Don’t Overload Them
When it comes to extending the lifespan of certain home appliances e.g. your washer and dryer, it is highly recommended that you avoid overloading the machine. Overloading a washer or dryer puts enormous strain on the bearings, motor, and other internal parts of the machine. Furthermore, it may cause the drive coupler to break. Overloading a washer may get some of your clothes stuck in the dryer’s pump which could create a major hassle for you. Not to mention it would shorten the life of this important home appliance. If overloaded, the machine would wear out and would require you to purchase a new dryer, hence costing you a lot on a replacement.
Manufacturers suggest that you should proceed with caution when applying stain removers and make sure not to spray the painted or plastic parts of the machine. Furthermore, they also recommend using cold water for washing clothes as well as checking the inlet and outlet hoses for build-up every once in a while.
Rinse Dishes Before Putting them in the Dishwasher
There are several things you can do to increase the lifespan of your dishwasher. First and foremost, it is recommended that you always rinse dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. This prevents food debris from clogging up the pump and forcing it to work harder than it should. Furthermore, you should also avoid pre-washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This is because it is inefficient and can cause your dishwasher to overflow and leak.
Manufacturers suggest that only dishwashing detergent should be used in a dishwasher and never soap. This is because soap results in a build-up of gunk, which can make the dishwasher relatively less effective. Furthermore, they also suggest that you let your dishes dry overnight and use the water-saving settings rather than heated dry setting as much as possible.
Clean Them Regularly
Keeping your appliances clean is another thing that you can do to help prolong their life. By cleaning your home appliances inside and out on a regular basis, you make sure that debris build-up doesn’t affect their function. Many home appliances perform better when they are clean, from the outside of your stove to the inside of your oven, to emptying the dryer lint in your clothes dryer to cleaning your dishwasher. It is highly recommended that you add your home appliances to your weekly or monthly cleaning schedule.
Virtually all home appliances need special care and cleaning. It is recommended that you avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your appliances as they can damage control knobs and even their electric circuits. You should also replace filters in your range hood and oven as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance of your home appliances is extremely important as it can prolong their life, improve their performance, and extend their energy efficiency. These appliances are the heart of your home. So, you want to keep them in tip-top shape. Rather than facing major issues, you can correct the issues at an early stage. Keep in mind that a clean and well-maintained home appliance works more efficiently and consumes less energy. Furthermore, proper maintenance of your appliances can also keep you and your family safe from certain accidents. Don’t wait until the problem occurs as it can lead to costly repairs or you might even have to purchase a new appliance.
Make sure you don’t ignore minor issues, such as leaks out of washing machine, refrigerator, or dishwasher, or fittings that seem loose. If you smell weird odours or hear weird sounds, have the appliance inspected before the problem gets worse. Finding a professional for routine appliance maintenance is very easy. Simply input find a handyman near me on your favourite search engine and you will find a professional that suits your needs and budget.
Final Word
Although home appliances are becoming more affordable and better with each passing day, you should still maintain your old ones. Even though most manufacturers offer high-quality home appliances with solid warranties, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t implement ways to prolong the life of your washing machine, microwave, fridge, and other appliances. Regular care and maintenance will improve their performance and prolong their service life.