Appliance Maintenance You May Not Know About

Appliance Maintenance You May Not Know About

Serious question: do you maintain your appliances? It seems like things just aren’t built to last anymore. Quality has dropped and longevity has too. These days, we buy an expensive washing machine, spend six months learning how to use it, all for it to spring a leak. That can be very upsetting.

Did you know there’s a recommended maintenance schedule for those major appliances?

We’re not here to judge, because we’re guilty of it too! But let’s do better, and double the lifetime of your new dishwasher.

Below you’ll find 5 of the most helpful appliance maintenance tips we live by!

Dishwasher

Whether you pre-wash or not, grease and grime can build up in your dishwasher in a hurry. There are two things you can do monthly to combat the grime build-up and icky smell that comes along with it. 

• Run the dishwasher through a clean cycle. You can do this by purchasing dishwasher cleaning products (like this one) and follow the directions on the package. 
• If you’re on a bit more of a budget, the white vinegar method is cheaper and just as effective! 
  • Place two cups of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe bowl. 
  • Put the bowl on one of the dishwasher racks and run on its hottest cycle.
• Empty/clean drain basket at the bottom of the dishwasher.

And at any point along the way, don’t hesitate to do a quick Google search. There’s a tutorial for everything!

Garbage Disposal

Staying in the kitchen, as we’re eliminating things that smell, check your garbage disposal. 

If it’s emitting a foul smell, then it’s time to give it a good clean. 

Monthly

• Use a garbage disposal cleaning product (like this one here) and follow the directions.
• Budget hack: 
  • Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with a cup of white vinegar. This will start bubbling, so leave it for a minute or two before running hot water down the drain. 
  • After a minute, switch to cold water and put a cup of ice down the disposal. This will help to clear any stubborn particles that may be stuck on the blades.

Refrigerator

An appliance used frequently, like your refrigerator will thank you if you keep up with these annual and bi-annual tips!

Annually

Unplug, then pull the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils and clean with a gentle brush (like a soft paintbrush). This prevents any dust blockages which helps the refrigerator not have to work as hard.

Bi-Annually

• Clean gaskets around the refrigerator doors with a vinegar cleaning solution and an old toothbrush. This helps the seal maintain its integrity and cleans away any buildup.

• Bonus: If you have a refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, check the filter twice yearly. You’d be surprised how much can build up over just six months

Washing Machine

Depending on the number of loads your washing machine sees on a regular basis, build-up can accumulate in a hurry!

Monthly

• Run a clean cycle for your washing machine to prevent any buildup (use a product like this). 
• Remove the detergent tray or agitator and clean all the nooks and crannies so there’s no lingering buildup. 
• Budget hack:
  • Use two cups of warm white vinegar in place of a cleaning product.

Dryer

But wait, there’s more!

If you clean your lint trap before every load, then you’re on the right track. 

If you don’t… maybe now would be a good idea to start doing so! 

Why? Because your overloaded lint trap and a hot dryer make the perfect recipe for a house fire. 

Monthly

•  Remove the lint trap and wash with warm soapy water and a gentle brush. This removes any buildup from fabric softener, ensuring air can flow freely through the vent and can collect the lint. 

• Bonus: Have a professional out once yearly to clean the external dryer vent and ducting. 
• If you’re into doing things the DIY way, we have a hack for that! 
  • Unplug your dryer, remove the vent ducting, and with a long handled dryer vent brush, clean the ducts.

Remember this: when in doubt, break out the Google to be sure you’re on the right track.  

Now that we’ve got you headed down a path of prolonging your investments, like an appliance, hopefully we’ve saved you some money in the long run. 

Are you interested in learning more about manufactured homes or wanting to know how to take the next step of getting into your dream home? Get in contact with us!