Washing machines, refrigerators, slow cookers, dishwashers, microwaves, toasters, and blenders are appliances that most of us simply can’t live without.
It’s a given that preventative maintenance and regular cleanings are key in making sure that they continue to run hot, cold, and everything in-between. But, there’s more to caring for them than just wiping it down with a sponge and calling it a day.
If you want to avoid costly repairs or replacements and help extend their life, then be sure to follow the tips below to keep your favorite appliances in tip-top shape.
1) Empty pants pockets before tossing them into the wash
Don’t let coins and pens spin around with your clothes! It’ll shorten the washing machine’s lifespan, and whatever pennies you find lying on the bottom of the metal drum won’t be enough to pay for repairs down the line.
2) Don’t place anything heavy on top of the washer or dryer
That includes letting your 5-year-old sit on top for giggles when the washing machine runs through a heavily vibrating spin cycle. Heavy objects like laundry detergent, or even a basket full of laundry, can bend the metal to the point that the drum inside the machine strikes up against it.
3) Use detergents made for a washing machine only
Laundry detergents and softeners have special ingredients that help break down dirt and grime while it spins around with the help of heavy machinery. Hand-washing soap, on the other hand, can foam up with too many suds and
clog the pipes.
4) Wipe down the rubber gasket after every wash
Front-loading washing machines are quieter and use less water per load over their top-loading counterparts. But they do have one design flaw – the rubber, water-tight gaskets that seal the door shut are harbingers of mold and mildew!
If you don’t want to pay for a stinky clean-up job in the future, be sure to wipe down the gasket with a rag after every single wash.
You can find more tips and tricks for cleaning a front-loading washer here.
5) Don’t let wet clothes sit in the machine
It’s always good practice to remove loads of laundry as soon as they’re done. Letting damp clothes sit inside the washing machine for too long can damage the drum.
6) Run the self-clean cycle once a month
If you don’t have an automatic self-clean cycle on your washing machine, do it manually once a month. Run an empty load on the hottest cycle, with some extra rinse time. De-scale by putting regular household items – such as vinegar, lemon juice, or a special descaling agent – into the powder dispenser compartment.
7) Prevent new fridge meltdowns before it gets delivered to your home
When purchasing a new fridge, make sure it’s transported in an upright position. If it’s tilted more than 40 degrees, there’s a possibility the compressor oil might leak out, and that can damage the fridge before it even gets to your home.
8) Give your new refrigerator some time to chill out
If you suspect your new fridge may have been tilted during transport before it was delivered to your home, don’t turn it on right away. When in doubt, wait for four to six hours before you flip the switch.
9) Don’t put hot food in the fridge
Let your leftovers cool off first. While placing hot dishes into the interior won’t damage the appliance itself, it’s costly in terms of cool-down efficiency.
10) Give your fridge a pretend spring cleaning defrost
Remember when you had to defrost your fridge every so often when it turned into a winter wonderland? Although modern units don’t need to be defrosted, it’s still important to give the appliance a full cleaning.
11) Don’t forget to wipe away the dust bunnies in the back
When is the last time you looked at the back of your refrigerator? Cleaning all the dirt and dust off the coils on the back of the fridge can help it release heat more efficiently. No need to buy any fancy equipment – a vacuum will work nicely.
P.S. Make sure to unplug the fridge from the electrical socket beforehand.
12) Don’t put a wet crock into the slow cooker
Make sure the crock is totally dry and squeaky clean on the outside before you put it into the slow cooker. It’ll help prevent breakage over time.
13) Don’t forget to clean the lid
Be sure to wipe down the inside of the lid after you start prepping a meal. It’ll help stop unwanted moisture and food from collecting there.
14) Don’t rinse grains directly in the slow cooker pot
Rinsing hard grains like rice directly inside the crock can scratch the surface. For that very same reason, you should always use a soft sponge when you wash it.
15) Don’t overfill your slow cooker
When filling the crock, make sure all the ingredients stay below the max fill line so it has room to cook. It’ll help keep messes under control and save the heating elements from getting damaged.
16) There is a right way to load the dishwasher
Placing dishes in the dishwasher upside down, instead of right side up, is actually how you’re supposed to do it. It’ll help prevent the dishwasher from getting water-logged.
17) Always pre-rinse dishes
It sounds really dumb to pre-rinse dishes before you stick them in the dishwasher. However, taking the extra step to rinse away food and fat residue can extend the life of your dishwasher.
18) Remove stickers on brand new dishware
Peel stickers and labels off your brand new cups and plates before you wash them. Otherwise, they can clog the filter.
19) Don’t let the dishes touch each other!
Arranging dishes in the dishwasher is almost an art. Give them a bit of breathing room so the water sprinkler can do its job and spray water between the dishes.
20) Use the correct dishwashing soap
Always use a dishwasher detergent or liquid when running a cleaning cycle. Ordinary hand-washing soap causes too many suds to build up, which can lead to unwanted malfunctions.
21) Load cutlery like the dishwasher’s life depends on it
Place forks, knives, and spoons in the bin instead of loading it haphazardly on the shelf. Otherwise, it can drop down to the bottom and block the rotating parts.
22) Give your dishwasher a salt bath
Don’t forget to put a salt and rinse aid directly into the detergent tray. It’ll help improve the efficiency and life of the dishwasher by preventing limescale and hard water buildup.
23) Wipe down microwave food splatters before they turn hard and crusty
Yes, food sticking to the sides of the microwave is sort of gross, but that’s not the main reason why you should wipe it down. Bits of leftover food can absorb microwaves, which can create hot spots. That in turn, can damage the interior.
24) Don’t store stuff on top of the microwave
It might sound like common sense, but it’s important to keep the microwave free of clutter. Blocking the vents and grills can decrease its performance.
25) Don’t operate a microwave with nothing inside of it
If you run a microwave on empty, it can overheat. Damage won’t occur immediately, but it can
ruin the magnetron, which is the device that heats your food.
26) Don’t put anything too heavy inside the microwave
Believe it or not, microwaves actually have weight limits! Read the manual to find your appliance’s max weight capacity.
27) Always use microwave-safe dishes
Most plates, cups, and bowls these days will have a notice on the bottom indicating whether or not it’s safe to be microwaved. Metal is never safe in the microwave, and that includes things with gold or silver accents. If you don’t heed these warnings, you may damage the unit or possibly even cause a fire!
28) Microwaves food for only as long as necessary
Watch the timer! Microwaves have a lifespan, which is typically 7 years. Cooking for only as long as necessary will help it last longer.
29) Don’t forget to clean the exterior vents
If your microwave oven sits above a stovetop, grease splatters from a frying pan can easily accumulate on the bottom vents. Clean it regularly to help prolong the unit’s life.
30) Check the door seals on your toaster oven door
The door seals are like weatherproofing, and it keeps the interior of the toaster oven hot. If the seals are damaged, the toaster oven will start to work overtime to maintain heat, which will reduce its lifespan.
31) Clean the drip pans regularly
Be sure to remove crumbs and other particles from the drip pans on a weekly basis. Otherwise, exposing them to further heat can lead to smoke and fire.
32) Blend with the right amount of liquids
Unless you have a high-powered Vitamix, it’s important to use the appropriate amount of liquid to blend your food and smoothies. Otherwise, the blades may struggle to function properly, which can decrease the lifespan of the motor.
33) Don’t leave the blender on for too long
Regular countertop blenders aren’t made for blending food for long periods of time. Don’t let them run longer than necessary, or you risk overheating the motor.
34) Don’t let the blender motor get wet
Wipe down and dry your blender with a cloth after every use to help protect the motor from water damage. It goes without saying that you should never immerse the blender’s base (where the motor is located) in water.
35) Guard against power surges
Nothing can kill appliances faster than an unexpected electrical surge. Use a surge protector to prevent expensive units from getting fried.
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Washing machines, refrigerators, slow cookers, dishwashers, microwaves, toasters, and blenders are appliances that most of us simply can’t live without.
It’s a given that preventative maintenance and regular cleanings are key in making sure that they continue to run hot, cold, and everything in-between. But, there’s more to caring for them than just wiping it down with a sponge and calling it a day.
If you want to avoid costly repairs or replacements and help extend their life, then be sure to follow the tips below to keep your favorite appliances in tip-top shape.
