Extend the Life of Your Household Appliances

Household appliances make our life easier, and give us extra time to complete others tasks at home. We often take our appliances for granted, until, that is, they stop working properly. Regular appliance maintenance can help keep our refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and so on, running efficiently and looking good. Help extend the life of your household appliances with these simple tasks.

Refrigerator / Freezer

Thank goodness the days of having to defrost the freezer are long gone. Now, if they could just come up with a model that could keep itself clean! Until then, these simple appliance maintenance tasks can help your refrigerator running smoothly for many years to come.

1. The experts at Lowe's Home Improvement recommend regular cleaning of the condenser coils. Locate the location of the coils by consulting the appliance manual, then unplug the refrigerator. Wipe the coils clean and push back in place.

2. When the refrigerator or freezer is completely stacked with food, air isn't able to circulate freely within the unit. To keep food cold, and extend the life of your appliances, avoid overstocking it.

3. Refrigerator and freezer seals are the sponge-like cushions located around the door frames of the unit. When they begin to thin out, cold air can escape, which wastes energy and the effectiveness of the appliance. Replace the seals when this occurs, and be sure to keep them clean and mildew-free in between replacement times.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers are fairly easy to maintain, and don't require a lot of appliance maintenance. You'll find the tips we've listed below very easy to complete, yet highly effective at keeping the unit running at optimal performance.

1. Like the refrigerator, a dishwasher's seals can wear out over time. When this occurs, it will result in water leakage and possible flooring damage. Check the seals periodically to ensure there is no leakage, and replace them, or hire someone to do it for you, when moisture is detected.

2. When a dishwasher operates, it can slightly move around. Over time it may need to be moved back in place. Do not reposition the appliance by pushing it with your knee. This is a very common mistake, and many homeowners have had to learn the hard way why it should not be done. A knee will easy dent the front of the appliance, which cannot be repaired. Instead, place both hands on either side of the appliance and push with even pressure.

3. Periodically check and clean the inside of the dishwasher for debris. Food, utensils, and small particles can get stuck in the bottom, which can cause a great deal of problems with the operation of the appliance. Wipe out the unit with a paper towel to keep it clean.

Washing machine

Our lives would not be the same without a washing machine. Without it, we would spend an enormous amount of time hand washing our clothing, bedding, and linens. Keep your washing machine running at its best with these simple appliance maintenance tasks.

1. If you own a top loading machine, simply do not drop the lid. Doing so will wear out the lid switch, and cost roughly $ 100.00 to have it professionally replaced. Instead, hold the lid and place it down gently when closing.

2. The hoses located behind the washing machine can fail over time. Check them periodically to ensure they are in working order, and replace them when needed. This will prevent more expensive repairs and extend the life of your appliance.

3. Allow the machine a 'dry run' about once a month. This means, run the washing machine without any clothes. Use hot water and your regular laundry detergent during the dry run to flush out the unit and remove any built-up debris.

Dryer

The fresh scent of line dried clothes is simply overrated. Clothes dried on the line are stiff, exposed to pollen and outdoor debris, and filled with static cling. A clothes dryer keeps clothes super soft and smelling great. However, a dryer can pose a fire risk if the proper appliance maintenance tasks are not regularly performed.

1. Everyone knows the importance of cleaning out the dryer vents. This must be done after EACH use! But did you also know that the dryer ducts and dryer cabinets must be cleaned of lint, as well? Consult your appliance manual for the exact location of each, and clean them free of lint to prevent fire, improve efficiency, and extend the life of your appliance.

2. A dryer that is jammed full of clothing has to work harder, uses more energy, and won't dry the clothes effectively. The clothes will dry faster, and you won't put strain on the motor, if you break large loads into smaller ones.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

New Phosphate-Free Dishwasher Detergent Leaves Consumers Seeing Spots

What's Causing Your High Electric Bill?

6 Green Gadgets that Lower Utility Costs

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Extend+the+Life+of+Your+Refrigerator_1280936212_