You forked out a fortune to kit out your home with all those must-have appliances. Unfortunately, you can’t expect them to continue running indefinitely without a bit of regular maintenance! Here is what you need to know.
Your dishwasher
You can expect your dishwasher to last between seven and twelve years if you look after it properly. Some essential dishwasher maintenance duties include:
- Cleaning and inspecting the spinning arms: If these arms become overwhelmed with dirt, or they are cracked or chipped, the dishwasher will no longer work effectively. You should also use a toothpick to clean out the water jets of the spray arm. These tiny holes can quickly become clogged with mineral deposits in hard water areas.
- Inspect for clogs: The dishwasher drain, which can be found at the bottom of the appliance, can become clogged with food and other debris. Inspect and remove the build-up at least once every week.
Your washing machine
The average life expectancy of a washing machine is approximately 11 years. This is a long time to try and maintain the appliance, and because the maintenance is so minimal, it can be easy to forget that it needs to be done. Luckily, when it comes to protecting things around your home, you can take out home warranty protection on your washing machine. Therefore, if you do forget about maintaining it and the machine breaks, it will be easy and quick to replace without too much of a financial impact.
However, when trying to look after your washing machine, most experts recommend fighting mold and mildew by leaving the washing machine door open after every load of laundry is complete. This allows for plenty of air to flow through, thus helping to reduce the moisture levels within the appliance. Aside from that, an excellent monthly clean with a product designed for cleaning washing machines, along with an annual professional tune-up, should do the trick.
Your refrigerator
A refrigerator is an extremely hardy appliance and can last for between 14 and 17 years, on average. However, it requires more maintenance than your dishwasher and washing machine, especially when it comes to cleaning. To keep it functioning optimally and to avoid costly repairs, it is imperative to clean inside, outside, and underneath your refrigerator regularly. During cleaning and after unplugging the appliance, be sure to clean the coils (responsible for cooling) carefully and to remove the base grill of the fridge and clean it effectively. Doing so will aid in maximizing airflow throughout the appliance’s various components.
You should also take the time to cleanse and lubricate the door seals. Clean with a simple solution of soap and water, and lubricate with a small amount of petroleum jelly.
Your clothes dryer
You can expect your clothes dryer to last anywhere between 13 and 14 years. Note, however, that electric dryers tend to last longer than gas dryers. Along with emptying the lint trap following every completed load of laundry, you should also aim to clean the exhaust vent at least once or twice per year. Finally, to maximize durability and longevity, always double-check that the dryer is sitting on a level surface. A good sign that the dryer is slightly tilted is when it starts becoming noisier than usual. Take heed as a tilted dryer can sustain dramatically more wear and tear than one that operates in the correct position.
So, there you have it. Here’s to making those essential appliances last longer than you had ever thought possible!