When household appliances break down, you have 3 options. You can try to fix it yourself, but appliances are getting more sophisticated and complicated, so unless you have some training, that isn’t always the best option.
You can buy a new one, but they can get rather expensive, depending on the appliance. Or you can hire a professional repairman. This is often the best option, assuring you a working appliance without spending too much money, assuming you hire the right repairman (hint, hint).
Of course, there is a fourth option, as well. That would be doing everything you can to make them last longer.
But what can you do to make your appliances last longer? Here are some tips shared by Consumers Reports.
Refrigerator:
Don’t overfill your fridge. Leaving enough space between items allows for better airflow so your compressor doesn’t have to work as long or as hard. This also has the added benefit of saving energy, which saves money.
Make sure the door seals completely to avoid cold air leaks. You can check this by putting a piece of paper in the door as you close it. If you can pull the paper out easily, you should replace the door gasket.
Make it a habit of cleaning the coils on a regular basis. Dusty coils can overheat.
Dishwasher:
Regularly cleaning the gasket and removing food from the filter can make your dishwasher last longer.
Another tip from Consumer Reports editor Celia Lehrman, “Much of the energy used by your dishwasher goes toward heating the water. So, before you do a load, run the water at the sink until it gets hot. That saves the dishwasher work, and it’ll last longer,”
Kitchen Range:
Keeping the burner ports clear of any debris or dust can keep your kitchen range running smoothly. Take a paper clip or pipe cleaner and poke through and remove anything that shouldn’t be there.
Just make sure the appliance is off before you start cleaning it!
Washer and Dryer:
Resist the urge to jam half your wardrobe into your washer at once. This may shorten your work time, but it can also shorten your washer’s lifespan by putting too much stress on the motor and transmission.
Clean your dryer’s lint filter before each use to help ensure that not only your clothes get dry in the first go-around but also to avoid spending hundreds or even thousands more on a new machine too soon. You can also use auto-dry to save on energy costs while also making your clothes last longer.
One other thing many people overlook is the dryer vent. You should clean the entire vent hose at least one a year. A clogged vent not only makes your dryer work harder, but can be a fire hazard, as well.