Buying brand-new appliances to replace broken ones is costly and annoying. It’s also largely unnecessary; in the long run, repairing your existing appliances is more cost-effective than buying a replacement every time something breaks.
If you like your current household appliances and want to extend their lifespans as much as possible, use these tips to keep them in top condition.
Implement a Regular Cleaning Routine
To keep your appliances working as they should, keep them as clean as you can between uses. Avoid letting food crumbs and residue build up on stovetops or in ovens and microwaves. Clean up spills in your fridge and freezer as soon as you notice them.
In addition, try to prevent messes before they happen. Keep food in airtight containers in your refrigerator to discourage spills, and scrape all food residue off dirty dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
Clean and Replace Filters Regularly
If the appliance in question has a filter on it, make sure you’re replacing that filter regularly according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. For example, refrigerator filters generally need to be replaced twice a year to ensure the water in the dispenser is clean and free of contaminants like lead and chlorine.
Depending on how often you run your dishwasher, remove and clean off that filter every three to six months. The dishwasher’s filter prevents food particles from sticking to clean dishes, and if it gets clogged, your dishwasher can overflow.
Avoid Overloading Your Appliances
When you give your appliances too much work to do, the interior components work overtime and can burn out prematurely, which then requires the assistance of an appliance repair company. Instead of trying to get all of your clothes clean in a single load, split your laundry into two or three smaller loads to reduce stress on your washing machine.
You shouldn’t run your appliances at maximum capacity all the time. Take the extra time to wash and dry smaller loads of laundry, and you’ll increase your washer and dryer’s longevity.
If you want to keep your current household appliances for many years to come, use these tips to extend the life of each one. Whether they’re in the kitchen, the laundry room, or elsewhere in your home, give your appliances the care and maintenance they need to run smoothly.