They say good habits are the road to success, but did you know this also applies to your appliances? It’s the best form of preventative maintenance!
With habits like regular cleaning and hose inspections, you can save money, boost efficiency, avoid unexpected breakdowns — and extend the life of your appliances to boot! And since Dick Van Dyke Appliance World are the experts, we figured we'd put together the best habits to keep any appliance going and your home running smoothly!
1. Regular Cleaning
Keeping your appliances clean isn't just about appearances but performance and longevity. When there’s an excess of grime and dust, it can seriously slow down your appliances and cause expensive breakdowns! So, it’s imperative to wipe down surfaces regularly, especially right after using them, remove dust from vents around your range hood and dryer, and run self-cleaning cycles!
Pro Tip:
If your machine doesn’t have a self-clean option, consider doing a deep clean with commercial agents or a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar!
2. Checking and Replacing Filters
Noticed your appliances aren’t performing like they used to? Dirty filters might be the culprit. Keeping your filters clean and regularly replacing them is critical to maintaining efficiency and preventing breakdowns.
- Dishwashers: Check and clean the filter monthly to remove food particles and debris and prevent clogs (but if it's worn, make sure to replace it!).
- Washing Machines: Inspect the inlet water filters every few months to ensure they aren’t clogged with sediment to keep the water flowing properly. Don’t forget to check and replace the lint filter for front-loading washers to prevent buildup.
- Refrigerators: Swap out the water filter every six months to keep your water fresh and tasty. Check and clean the air filter regularly to maintain good airflow and reduce odors.
- Dryers: Clean the lint filter after every load to prevent lint buildup, which can cause the dryer to overheat and lose efficiency. Annually, inspect and clean the dryer vents to remove any accumulated lint and ensure proper airflow.
3. Inspecting Seals and Gaskets
Wondering why your fridge isn’t as cold or why your oven heats unevenly? The seals and gaskets might be to blame! So, check every door seal for cracks or wear every few months and wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove dirt, debris, or mold (yuck!). But if you notice the door seals are cracked or not closing right, it’s time to replace them — just give your local appliance techs (aka us!) a call!
4. Monitoring Appliance Settings
Think your appliances are set and forget? Think again! Regularly checking and adjusting their settings can make a big difference in performance and longevity.
- Refrigerators: Ensure your fridge and freezer are set to the recommended temperature, with the fridge between 37 to 40°F and your freezer at 0°F to maintain food safety and energy efficiency.
- Ovens: Confirm that your oven's temperature calibration is accurate by using an oven thermometer to check the actual temperature. If it’s way off, you might need to call in the pros (like our team!) to fix it.
- Dishwashers: Use the correct wash cycle for your load to save water and energy. Heavier loads might need a more intense cycle, while lighter loads can use an eco-friendly setting.
- Washers and Dryers: Washing clothes on the correct cycles prevents damage and saves water and energy. For dryers, use sensor drying instead of timed drying to avoid over-drying and to save energy.
- Microwaves: Regularly check the power level settings and ensure you use the right level for the food you want to heat up or cook.
5. Inspecting and Replacing Hoses and Connections
No one likes surprise puddles in their home, and the best way to avoid them is by regularly checking the hoses and connections to your water-based appliances! This means checking the water supply hoses for signs of wear, cracks, or bulges, especially around the connections.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind to replace your hoses every three to five years, provided there isn’t any sign of damage!
6. Balancing and Leveling
A wobbling washer or a noisy fridge can be more than just an annoyance — it can spell disaster for your appliances. An unlevel or unbalanced machine is more prone to wear and tear and excessive noise. So, if you’ve noticed vibrations or more noise while it operates, place a level on top of the machine and adjust the feet as needed!
Pro Tip:
Most appliance manuals will include instructions on how to level the appliances; make sure to reference it!
7. Regular Professional Inspections
While daily habits help maintain your appliances, some tasks require a professional touch from appliance techs like ours at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World ! We can help with things like checking electrical connections, calibrating temperatures, inspecting internal components for damage, and fixing them accordingly.
You can also schedule annual checkups to inspect your appliances to spot potential problems sooner and keep your appliances running smoothly! So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment and keep your house in order!