Appliance Maintenance Tips
Washing Machines
1. Don’t overload it: Oversized loads will throw the machine off balance and that will lead to problems.
2. Clean the inside once a month: It's common for detergent residue to build up inside of washing machine tubs. Use a cleaner once per month to keep high-efficiency washing machines free of odor-causing residue.
Tip: You can run an empty cycle with hot water, vinegar and baking soda to Rinse away soap residue and buildup
TIP: Use equal parts of water and vinegar to clean the gaskets.
3. Measure your detergent: Read the appliance instruction manual to make sure you use the correct type and amount of detergent for your machine. Too much soap can leave residue on your clothes and cause excess wear and tear on your washer.
4. Inspect the hoses: Check the hoses periodically, any damage could cause a leak or burst – and extremely expensive flood damage in your home. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every three to five years.
Dryers
1. Do Not Overload the Dryer: Overloading the dryer can cause it to breakdown. Some people think that they can squeeze two or more loads into the dryer and save time. However, the exact opposite will happen if you do this. Instead of reducing drying times, overfilling the dryer will increase them.
2. Clean the Lint Filter: Lint can be lethal for dryers. Make it a habit to clean the lint filter and trap every time you remove a load of clothes from the dryer. It is a good idea to schedule a professional cleaning at least once a year. Without regular lint removal, the motor on your dryer could burn out prematurely and even catch fire.
3. Clean the Inside of the Dryer: Without regular cleanings, the inside of your dryer will become dirty and that dirt may eventually transfer onto your clothes. Regular cleanings can keep drying times down to a minimum and ensure that your clothes don’t get damaged.
Refrigerators
1. Check the temperature: Refrigerator temperatures fluctuate seasonally. Sometimes refrigerators don’t operate properly because the room they’re in is too hot or too cold. Keep that in mind, especially as the weather heats up or cools off dramatically.
2. Clean and replace the gasket (rubber door seal) as needed: Over time, gaskets wear and no longer seal the way refrigerators and freezers need to operate efficiently. It's common for gaskets to weaken, loosen and tear within just a few years. When this happens, warm air enters the interior of the refrigerator or freezer, making it work harder to remove the heat.
3. Keep the coils clean: When the condenser coils are covered with dust, the refrigerator can’t run efficiently. Dirty condensers increase the energy needed to operate the fridge and can cause early failure.
Tip: Clean the coil with a brush or vacuum — just be sure to unplug the fridge first.
4. Fill it up: You might think that the less food you have in your fridge the more efficiently it will run, but this is actually not the case. Your refrigerator will
run more efficiently when more food and drinks are stored in it. Once cool, the items in your fridge help absorb any warm air that finds its’ way in, rather than letting it flow freely through the fridge, ultimately raising the inside temperature.
5. Let food cool before putting it in the fridge: Putting our warm food directly into the refrigerator before it’s completely cooled is not a good habit, as hot or warm food will rapidly heat the air around it inside the refrigerator and cause the compressor to work harder at bringing the temperature back down.
Dishwashers
1. Don't overload it: Cramming two loads into one load will restrict the water spray patterns, which will prevent proper cleaning and require you to have to rewash, wasting water.
2. Clean and deodorize the interior: Use a pipe cleaner or sewing needle to remove food particles, bits of paper or other debris from the spray arms' small holes. Never use a toothpick, as the tip can break off inside of the wash arm. A deodorizer specifically designed for dishwashers makes it easy to prevent mold growth and keep the interior smelling fresh.
Other Parts You Should Clean:
• Under the door, on the inside.
• The flatware basket.
• The gasket.
• The detergent dispenser.
3. Unclog & Clean the Drain: At the very bottom of your dishwasher is the drain, and this area can be a common place where food debris, buildup, and other matter can end up. Leaving these obstacles near the drain will eventually create a clog. When your dishwasher drain is clogged, it will become less efficient and have a harder time cleaning.
Oven Ranges
1. Clean the interior and exterior: Any spills, stains, or bits of food can heat up when you operate the stove, whether they are on the inside or the outside of the stove. As the food heats up, it may catch on fire, lead to excessive smoke or cause damage to the surface of the stove, the heating elements, or other components of the stove. Take care not use too much water when cleaning, especially around the knobs. If water works its way through the openings around the knob shafts, it could cause switches to short and lead to damage to the interior spark ignition system or other electrical systems.
Tip: You can clean the knobs themselves by pulling them off and popping them in warm soapy water
2. Deep clean the grates: Spray grates with oven cleaner, put them in a plastic bag and let it sit for 24 hours. Then wash the grates with soap and water.
3. Self-Clean: Every self-cleaning oven is different. Review your owner's manual for the correct procedure for your oven. Most self-cleaning cycles are complete within two to three hours. If you're hosting a big-cooking holiday like Thanksgiving, run the self-cleaning feature a few weeks in advance, due to risk of an issue with the door latch or an electrical component.
Important: Never use a cleaning solution to clean the interior of a self-cleaning oven unless it is made specifically for self-cleaning ovens.
