Regularly maintain your household appliances to save money and maximize their efficiency.

 

     Many common household appliance problems can be avoided by following basic maintenance routines. In addition to minimizing the chances of breakdowns and saving you money on costly repairs, regular maintenance will extend the lifespan of your appliances and ensure they’re operating at peak efficiency. Consider the following maintenance tips:

 

     Know what the manufacturer recommends. “When you get a new appliance, read the booklet that comes with it,”  “Learn the specific advice the manufacturer offers for care, operation, cleaning and maintenance, and follow their recommendations to get the most life and use out of your appliances.” Be aware that you can void some warranties by not following manufacturer recommendations for care and operation.

 

Keep it clean to extend the lifespan of your appliances:

 

• Inspect any seals (including those on doors) for wear.

• Don’t allow hard water scale, food particles or dirt to build up.

• Never overfill washing machines or clothes dryers. Smaller loads can mean cleaner clothes and longer-lasting machines. 

• Use suggested detergents and cleaning solutions for each machine. 

• Make small repairs and replacements—seals, gaskets, belts and hoses—when required. Waiting too long to replace aging parts can force your       appliances to work harder and drastically reduce their lifespan.

 

 

     When in doubt, get professional advice. If you have questions about your appliances, call a professional. They can give you care and maintenance advice and even help you when you’re thinking about buying new appliances.