You spent a small fortune on equipping your kitchen with topnotch appliances: oven, refrigerator, washing machines. But even the best brands will wear down under daily wear and tear, and some of our habits can also cause them to break down much earlier than they should.Here are some simple tips to help extend the lifespan of your appliances and save you lots of money for repairing or replacing them.
Washing machines
Always check the pockets for coins, keys and other metal objects. You should also hand-wash any clothes that have very heavy metal fasteners. These can break the inner drum or outer tub—and even if the washing machine doesn’t automatically stop working, the damaged parts can pull and even tear your clothes. A leaky outer tub will also jack up your water bill.
And don’t overload your washing machine! It will strain under the weight of those clothes, which will gradually cause the bearings and suspension to break.
Dryer
As for the dryer, regularly clean out any lint and fluff build up. These can clog the airflow so the machine has to work harder—causing premature damage and also increasing your utility bill. It may even lead to a house fire! If you can, clean the outer lint filters every time you use the dryer. It can really extend your dryer’s lifespan!
Ovens
Electric stovetops tend to be more durable because they don’t have any removable parts, but the surface—made of delicate ceramic or glass—can be damaged and are quite expensive to fix or even replace!
Be very careful against clanging a heavy pot against the surface (you can shatter it). And always use pans that have a flat bottom and are the right size, since wrong heating can cause your expensive stove top to crack over time.
It’s also best to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on cleaning products, to avoid scratching or damaging the surface.
Refrigerators
Your refrigerator’s most important part is the compressor. Manufacturers usually give a 5 year warranty and if used properly it will run without any problem for about 10 years. However, the compressor can accumulate dust and the clogging may lead to overheating. Clean these regularly (you will find them behind a grill at the bottom of the refrigerator). You can use a vacuum cleaner. Don’t poke the coils because you could accidentally push them out of shape. Another way of preserving your compressor is to keep your freezer full! The objects trap the cold and helps maintain a steady temperature.
Photo from slipstersblog.com