At the risk of sounding like a Boomer, they don’t make things like they used to — especially appliances. The fridges, ovens, and stoves of yesteryear were built to withstand entire childhoods and then some. Today’s appliances only average about a decade or so before they die, according to AARP.
As someone with a fixer-upper kitchen whose original appliances from 1984 are still running in the 13 years that I’ve owned the home, there’s truth to this statement. So how have I, and how do you, keep universally pricey appliances last as long as possible? Read on for tips for keeping fridges, dishwashers, ovens, and more in top shape.
Stop Overloading and Overfilling
Overstuffing your dishwasher and washing machine can cause them to break. We get that packing as much as possible at once is more useful and saves water, but most machines aren’t meant to be completely stuffed.
Scrape Dishes Before Cleaning
The purpose of a dishwasher is to clean dishes, but that doesn’t mean they’re meant for throwing crumb-covered plates of food inside. Scrape off plates before loading to keep clogs from happening and keep the motors running smoothly.
Go For Function Over Features
From touchscreens where you can watch TV to built-in Keurig coffee makers, refrigerators can practically be your personal assistant. But the more bells and whistles you have, the more likely something is going to go wrong. If you can’t stand the thought of constantly calling in for service repairs, go with something more basic. Okay, so it can’t display your grocery list, but if it works reliably, does it really matter?
Keep the Water Filter Clean
Be sure to regularly replace the water filter in your fridge’s water dispenser, at least every six months or so. Get on a schedule of regularly wiping down the water dispenser, and periodically flush it out, especially if you don’t use it often.
Stop Slamming Doors
Be careful slamming the fridge shut, even if you’re in a bad mood. This could end up causing damage to the door seal over time. Once that’s broken down, the fridge isn’t going to be able to cool as well as it did. The same goes for other appliances like ovens and dishwashers. Slamming anything can lead to damage.
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Clean the Refrigerator Door Seals
Even if you’re not slamming fridge doors, the door seals on the fridge can easily fall apart if not cared for. Clean them regularly with warm water and a sponge to keep them from getting sticky and dirty.
Stay On Top of Cooking Spills
It’s easiest to wipe down an induction cooktop. But for other types of stoves, such as gas or electric coils, taking them apart and cleaning them regularly can avoid damage and corrosion. Be sure to research the correct way to take apart your specific stovetop before getting started, otherwise you risk needing to call in a repairman to fix your mistakes.
Wipe Down the Oven, Too
Grease and stuck-on foods are serious fire hazards, so a clean oven is a matter of safety. Even if the oven self-cleans, wipe down the interior with a damp rag first to get stuck-on stuff off.
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Defrost Your Freezer
It’s good practice to empty and thaw out your freezer about once a year. Yes, this seems like a big hassle, but frost build-up can affect how well the freezer performs. However, before you take this rather annoying project on, check to see if your freezer has an anti-frost feature. More current models usually have this built-in, making life somewhat easier.
Clean the Lint
Ideally, you should clean off the lint trap every time you use your dryer. It helps your dryer run more efficiently, last longer, and use less energy to dry clothes, which may save you some money. It also cuts the risk of fire, since lint is very flammable. Consider washing the lint trap with soap and water now and then as well.
Clean the Dishwasher
The dishwasher can get gunked up by food particles despite your best efforts, making it run less efficiently than it should. Clean out the dishwasher filter by rinsing it out and using some soap and water to get stuck food off.
Wash Your Washing Machine
But … if you’re running soap and water through your washing machine, isn’t that cleaning it? Nope — soap scum, fabric softener, leftover tissues in pockets — all can clog up the drain over time. Run a hot cycle with white vinegar to sanitize.
Wipe Down the Microwave
Why should you care about microwave splatters besides their unsightliness? All those food particles can affect how well the microwave runs. Additionally, they can eventually burn into the microwave’s interior, potentially causing danger.
Change Filters … On Everything
The biggest overall piece of advice to keep all appliances running smoothly is simple. Keep a schedule to regularly change filters on everything that uses one. It’s all too easy for filters to be forgotten, causing clogs, dust, and slow-working machines, but they are an integral part of keeping your appliances in good working order as long as possible.
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