Care Tips to Make Your Appliances Last Longer

Appliances get quite a bit of use in every home, and they’re usually a major purchase when they need to be replaced. To avoid having to dig in your pockets to pay for a new appliance, take care to make yours last as long as possible.

Empty Filters Regularly

Many appliances – such as a washing machine or dishwasher – have a filter component. These should be emptied regularly to keep your machines in tip-top shape. Items that have escaped from pockets in a washing machine frequently get stuck here. For a dishwasher, food particles build up in the filter. It’s important to empty these at least a few times a year to keep your appliances working well and to prevent fire hazards. For your dryer, you should clear out the filter after every use to ensure the machine doesn’t have to work harder than it needs to in order to do its job.

Don’t Overload Your Washer and Dryer

When you have a mountain of laundry that needs to get done, it can be tempting to jam as much into your machines as possible in order to cut down on the number of loads it takes to get it all done. But doing so could be harmful to your machines. Too much weight could cause parts to wear out and break, causing the premature demise of your machine. Plus, having a machine that’s too congested could cause there to be detergent residue on clothes, causing you to have to rewash all of the clothes anyways.

Don’t Overcrowd Your Fridge

Your fridge is an expensive appliance in your home, so you want to take care to ensure it lasts as long as possible. One way to do so is to avoid packing it too full with items. When there’s too much food inside, it prevents air from circulating properly, causing the compressor to work overtime.

Clean Fridge Compressor Coils Regularly

Another way to care for your fridge and extend its life expectancy is to clean the compressor coils regularly. This should be done every few months. Before doing so, consult the owner’s manual of your fridge to help you locate them. Vacuum the coils with a soft-bristle brush attachment. Then, wipe door gaskets with a mild detergent mixed with water. Do not use bleach here as it could be damaging to fridge components.

Empty Vacuum Debris Regularly

Take care of your vacuum by not letting the bin or bag get too full. Allowing it to get too full makes the motor work harder than it needs to on the device. Empty it regularly to avoid this issue.

Allow for Ventilation

Ventilation is needed for most appliances in order for them to work well. For instance, fridges and freezers need at least two centimeters of room behind and above the appliance to allow for adequate ventilation. This also helps these appliances to run more efficiently, conserving energy. Also keep the back of your appliance dust and lint free so that air can circulate freely. Not doing so is not only harmful to the machines, but it could pose a fire hazard.

Clean Your Microwave Regularly

Microwaves are very convenient, but it’s easy to let them get kind of gross. Keeping it clean makes it a more sanitary situation, but it also extends its lifespan by up to years. Wipe up spills, splatter, and stuck on food regularly. An easy way to clean the microwave and remove any lingering odors is to put a few teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of water, nuking it on high for five minutes. Afterwards, it’ll be easy to wipe your microwave clean and it’ll smell fresh.

Replace AC Filters

Air conditions last, on average, 12 to 15 years. These are a major appliance to replace, so you definitely don’t want yours to go kaput prematurely. To keep yours in great shape, change the air filters every two to three months. Dirty filters cause the AC unit to have to work harder than it should, which is very taxing on it.

There are many simple ways to care for appliances in order to increase their lifespan and save money.