As every homeowner knows, you are responsible for the regular care and maintenance of your house. How well you keep up with routine maintenance can play a big role in your monthly energy bill. Your household appliances need to be cleaned and cared for regularly to keep them performing at their best. It may sound like a daunting task, but there are several tips and tricks you can use to make appliance maintenance easier.
Fridge and Freezer Appliance Maintenance
The average refrigerator and freezer have a lifespan of 10 years when regularly cared for. Reposition your refrigerator to ensure it runs efficiently. There should be enough space between the unit and the wall to allow for airflow. Clean the rubber door gaskets around the refrigerator and freezer doors to keep the seals tight against air leaks. You can re-magnetize your appliance’s doors by running a strong magnet along the cleaned gaskets.
Prevent ice buildup in the freezer by spraying a thin layer of cooking spray inside the freezer and wiping it down. A small amount of spray will be left behind to help prevent ice buildup. Empty out your freezer’s ice bin once a month to prevent any large chunks of ice or odors from forming. Keep the freezer full as often as possible and it works more efficiently when full of cold things.
Microwave and Oven Appliance Maintenance
The microwave sees a lot of use and a lot of messes. Steam clean your microwave to make wiping up tough grime easier. You can either microwave a bowl of white vinegar or a bowl of water and lemon slices for a few minutes to loosen up grime before wiping it clean.
Your oven needs to be maintained regularly to prevent the inside from becoming a mess. Most ovens come with a self-clean feature that you can use for regular cleaning. When it’s time to deep clean your oven, put an oven-safe bowl of baking soda, vinegar, and water on low heat for 45 minutes to loosen up any grease and grime. Soak the oven hood in hot soapy water before wiping it down, then rub a bit of cooking or mineral oil on it to prevent dust buildup.
Heating and Cooling Appliance Maintenance
You might not realize it but your water heater needs to be drained annually to reduce the buildup of minerals. You can make your water heater more energy efficient by insulating the appliance with a cover. Your air conditioning unit runs less efficiently when it’s covered in dust and dirt. Turn off your unit and hose down the outdoor AC unit. Be sure to change out your AC filters at least once a year.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to reach out to experts to help with big appliances. Oregon Appliance Repair is your expert source for appliance repair, maintenance, and installation services. Their trained and certified technicians can repair major home appliances from major brands at a reasonable price. The friendly appliance guys will answer a service call during regular business hours, afternoons, or weekends to assess your appliance repair service needs. Oregon Appliance Repair prides itself on excellent service and provides the best appliance repair services, satisfaction guarantee.
Washer and Dryer Appliance Maintenance
Your washer and dryer see a lot of heavy use. Make sure you remove dryer lint from the lint trap every time you do laundry. Every now and then, scrub the filter with some laundry detergent and hot water using a stiff kitchen brush. Lint and dust make their way to the accordion hose attached to the dryer, which can become a fire hazard if not vacuumed regularly.
Washing machines can grow mold quickly if not cleaned regularly. Wipe down the inside of your appliance, including the door seals to keep the machine dry. Pay attention to the condition of your washing machine’s hoses. Cracked, weak, and deformed hoses can lead to leaks or floods, so plan to replace the hoses every five years.
Make appliance maintenance easier with these useful tips and tricks.
