How To Extend The Life Of Your Appliances

As a homeowner, you want to extend the life of your appliances and allow them to continue running for years to come. When appliance parts start failing, it can cause more strain on the other parts. What was once a simple fix can now turn into a much larger issue. Fortunately, a few minutes of preventative maintenance will save money on repair bills and appliance replacement. Following these few simple tips will save you money and unnecessary stress and help you extend the life of your appliances. 

Extend the Life of Your Appliances and Avoid Repairs

Clean the Refrigerator Condenser Coils.

Refrigerator condenser coils tend to gather hair, dust, food, and other debris, causing restricted airflow. To avoid costly repairs, the condenser coils should be cleaned regularly to remove the debris. We recommend using a brush to wipe the coils and remove the excess dirt. A vacuum works well to remove hard-to-reach debris that has become lodged underneath and behind the fridge. For best results, clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils twice a year or more if you have shedding pets.

Clean the Dishwasher Filter.

The dishwasher filter is one area a lot of people forget to clean and maintain. To prevent solid items from getting into to pump, make sure to clean the filter on a regular basis. Most modern dishwashers have a removable filter in the bottom. To remove turn ¼ turn to remove and reverse to put it back in. Make sure to give it a bit of a tig once reinstalled ensuring it is seated properly. If your dishwasher is different consult owners manual. If it is an older unit the filter may not be removable without disassembling the pump, we do not recommend disassembling the pump as you may cause additional issues. Make sure as much as possible to scrap dishes or solid things and remove any chunks. The dishwasher is designed to be loaded with dirty dishes.

Protect Your Washing Machine.

Loading too many clothes into your washing machine can lead to serious issues and poor cleaning. It’s best to have clothing of like size and weight to ensure a proper balance of the clothing in the wash. If the clothing is not balanced the right way, it will cause vibration, noise, and needless wear on the machine. Loads of heavy towels should be smaller which will allow smoother operation. A good rule of thumb, towels with towels and jeans with jeans. Wash blankets or other large items alone or if they exceed the size of the washer don’t force it. It won’t get clean and may damage the machine. Don’t fill front load units more the ¾ full and ½ full if you are doing fluffy towels. It is much cheaper to wash a blanket or large item at the cleaners or laundry mat than it is to pay for a repair or replacement. 

On top of ensuring a balanced washing machine, avoid using too much detergent. High amount of detergent can leave residue on clothes and increase wear and tear on the pump, motor, and seals. Stick to the recommended amount to avoid buildup and excess suds. More detergent doesn’t meet cleaner and more softener doesn’t mean more fresh. Excess detergent with eat away at the seals and bearings dramatically reducing the lifespan of the machine.

Clean Your Icemaker.

Stand-alone ice makers are a convenient and useful home appliance. That’s why it’s important to maintain them. To avoid ice maker repairs, use the recommended descaling cleaner every 6 months. To learn how to use to cleaner properly, look for Instructions printed on the inside of the door. If you can’t locate the instructions, consult the owner’s manual for instructions. The lifespan of the unit will be directly related to how well it is maintained. 

Degrease Your Microwave.

One of the best things you can do to avoid microwave repairs and keep the appliance working for years to come is to clean the inside and venting to avoid grease build-up. Grease can breakdown the enamel and cause plastic parts to become brittle. Clean or replace filters to keep grease from coating the ventilation. In addition to cleaning the inside, remove the extra racks if you’re not doing multi-level cooking. 

Don’t Overfill Your Trash Compactor.

Trash compactor bags are designed to keep form when the ram is lowered. Using bags other than trash compactor bags is risky because they can get intertwined in the ram mechanism. Don’t allow the trash height to get to more than 90% full. If trash is overfilled, it can fall off and cause issues with drawer alignment and operation.

Unclog Your Garbage Disposal.

If you’ve ever lived without a garbage disposal, you’re likely aware of how inconvenient it is. To keep your disposal working in tip top shape, avoid throwing in certain foods that will stick or solidify to the drain, such as grease, oil, fat, harsh chemicals, egg shells, peelings, and other non-biodegradable food. 

A clogged disposal can be fixed by following a simple checklist. First, check for foreign objects in the drain. Use a screwdriver or service key to dislodge it. Some brands have a spot for a service key or Allen wrench on the bottom to manually rotate blades to aid in dislodging foreign objects. There is also a red reset breaker on the bottom that may need to be reset. If it’s leaking, put a bucket under it to identify if it’s disposal, pipe issue, or draining issue.

Clear Out Your Dryer’s Lint Filter.

The dryer is one of the most used and neglected appliances in the home. To avoid unnecessary and costly dryer repairs, make sure to clear out your lint filter before each cycle. When the dryer lint filter is clogged, air is not able to circulate through the machine properly. The lint won’t escape easily with poor airflow, making it harder for the machine to dry the clothing. If your dryer starts to take multiple loads get it serviced before you have parts fail.

So what’s the takeaway? The lifespan of your appliances is directly related to proper cleaning and maintenance. Take care of your home appliances so they can make your life easier for years to come.

Repairing what you have may be a lot wiser and less expensive than buying brand new. Our trustworthy and experienced appliance technicians can help you with that decision. 

Call in the Appliance Repair Pros at iFiX!

We believe in taking on each job like it is our own home. We know the same headaches and frustrations of waiting for a service company to arrive. Our technicians are honest, reliable, and dependable. We work hard to provide our customers with the best appliance repair possible. 

If you’ve given your home appliances TLC and they’re still malfunctioning, give iFiX a call today for all your appliance repair needs.

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