Home appliances are powerful machines that carry out essential tasks while saving time and effort. However, you need to understand the type of home appliance that you’re using. Hence, you want to ensure that you maintain them adequately.
Furthermore, you can significantly reduce the chances of repairing your home appliances by paying attention to them. Once you notice any breakdowns, you must act quickly to prolong the machines’ longevity.
This article will cover some of the common household appliances you may have. We’ll explain the functionalities of the devices and advise you on how to maintain them.
Major Appliances that can Exist in Your Household
Here’s a quick list of the major home appliances you will most likely have. Of course, some of these appliances may not apply to you. Nevertheless, we’ll list these home appliances below:
- Dishwasher
- Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Stove
- Freezer
- Cook Top
- Wine Cooler
Now that we’ve listed these appliances, we’ll dive deeper into each one. You’ll also learn about how to fix these home appliances at any sign of trouble.
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a machine that washes and rinses plates and other utensils within its container. The device operates mostly automatically. However, some actions require human intervention, like loading the dishes, setting the wash cycles and adding detergent.
In case of any signs of breakdowns, there are appliance repair services that can take a look at your dishwasher. However, you can reduce the chances of seeing a repair technician through proper maintenance.
Before we discuss how you should maintain your dishwasher, let’s discuss its functions. A standard dishwasher carries out different tasks to ensure the cleanliness of your dishes.
Heats water to the right temperature.
- Drains itself after a wash cycle
- Shoots jets of water to blast away dirt
- Opens the soap dispenser automatically
- Heats the dishes to dry them off
How to Use a Dishwasher?
Let’s take a look at the operation procedure of a dishwasher. The home appliance isn’t too complicated to operate. However, despite the autonomous nature of the device, human intervention is needed in some aspects. Here’s a guideline on how to use a dishwasher.
- Never overload the dishwasher. Always leave room for water jets to spray on the dishes.
- Never use regular soap. The soap bubbles may overwhelm the machine
- Face the dirtiest part of the dish towards the spray jets
- Use the dishwasher when water pressure is at its highest, preferably at night
- Never put plastics on the bottom rack. The heating element could melt them
Maintaining your Dishwasher
In case of any significant problems with the machine, you’ll need an appliance repair service. However, you can take steps to reduce the chances of visiting a repair service.
- Ensure to operate the dishwasher is on high-pressure water always
- Check for mineral build-up, especially if you have hard water in your home
- Clean out the spray jets with vinegar and wire at least once a month to eradicate clogs
- Check the drain hose regularly to ensure that it doesn’t clog
Dryer
A dryer is a home appliance with a tumbler that spins your wet clothes until they are dry and crisp. The dryer possesses an internal heater that heats the water drawn from the clothes and uses the heated air to warm the clothes. An exhaust vent expels the water in the form of steam.
Maintaining your Dryer
The dryer may encounter some issues over time which may require you to repair the home appliance. Here are some tips on ensuring that your dryer lasts a long time.
- Never overload the dryer so that the tumbler can rotate freely
- Clean out the lint filter overtime
- Clear out the outside exhaust vent
- Check the air circulation around the dryer and ensure there’s no obstruction
Washing Machine
A washing machine is a home appliance capable of washing, rinsing and sometimes drying clothes. The machine features basic button commands that require human interaction. Otherwise, the function of a washing machine is mostly autonomous.
Maintaining your Washing Machine
Let’s look at ways to maintain your washing machine to reduce the frequency of fixing the home appliance. These maintenance tips will ensure the longevity of your washing machine.
- Never overload the machine drum; this may interrupt the wash cycle
- Clean out the lint filter to remove fluff and other debris
- Ensure to apply the appropriate amount of detergent
- After a wash and rinse cycle, ensure to rinse any remaining particles out of the machine
- Place a drip pan under the machine to catch any running water to protect your floors
Related Article: What is the Difference Between an Out-of-Warranty Service and In-Warranty Service?
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is an effective home appliance necessary for preserving food items. The fridge is also valuable for keeping drinks chilled at all times, especially during summer. A refrigerator also allows you to stock up on essential food ingredients that will be useful at critical hours.
Maintaining the Refrigerator
There are home appliance repair services you can contact if your refrigerator malfunctions. However, let’s look at ways you can maintain your refrigerator. This way, you’ll be minimizing repairs in the first place.
- Always keep the door to the refrigerator closed at all times to preserve the gas.
- Change the filters every three months to ensure maximum operation
- Check the gasket to ensure that it’s well sealed to prevent cold air from escaping
- Cover whatever food you are storing inside the refrigerator to keep them fresh
- Try to fill up the fridge as much as possible without overloading it and without leaving too much free space
Oven
An oven is a home appliance typically fixed in the kitchen. An oven can be used to bake, roast or dry food. An oven will save you time when making large family dinners. However, the oven isn’t an immortal machine; it will wear down over time. So, let’s look at how you can maintain your oven for your special Thanksgiving dinners.
Maintaining your Oven
You may have spilled some sauce while roasting a chicken in the oven. Dealing with these issues as soon as possible is essential to preserve your oven. Here are some other tips to consider in maintaining your oven.
- Ensure to clean your oven regularly. Don’t let residue sit idle in the oven.
- Always check and inspect your gas line to prevent any leakages
- Check your elements regularly. The heating element can short-circuit and burn out, leading to severe damage
- Clean the racks after each use. You’ll place the food on the racks mostly and will need to clean out any stains
- Inspect the door gasket to ensure that the oven door seals properly. You’ll be wasting heat if the door isn’t well shut
Stove and Cook Top
A stove is the ideal home appliance for cooking food. Conversely, you may also use a cooktop for cooking or frying your meals. However, both pieces of equipment require proper care to ensure they last long.
Maintaining your Stove and Cook Top
In some households, you may use a stove and a cooktop. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain both devices adequately to enjoy them for a long time.
Consumer Reports reports that 6% of households experience issues with their gas burners or cooktop components not lighting or heating up, and the same percentage also experiences issues with their oven not heating up.
Here are some tips to help you reduce the need for a home repair appliance service.
- Make sure to always clean the burners after cooking. You’ll be preventing sticky residue from clogging the burners.
- Soak burners to get hardened residue off them
- Avoid water spillage on the surface of the stove or cooktop
- Use vinegar and dish soap to wipe the surface of the stove or cooktop to eliminate any grime
- Keep the burner channels clear. The burner channels are the maze-like grate underneath the burner cap
Freezer
A freezer is a highly efficient home appliance that can deeply freeze food items for extensively long periods. Freezers will preserve fresh food items like raw fish for weeks to months until you need them.
Maintaining the Freezer
A freezer can last over ten years if adequately maintained. You can always have access to fresh produce by following these tips.
- Defrost the freezer whenever it’s relatively empty. You don’t want excessive ice to build up.
- Clean out the interior at least twice a year. You will be purging the freezer of accumulated waste.
- Clean the condenser coils at least once a year. A dusty condenser will slow down the efficiency of the freezer.
- Maintain the appropriate temperature. Your freezer should stay at relatively 0 degrees at all times.
Wine Cooler
A wine cooler is a machine that keeps a consistent temperature ideal for storing wine. The wine cooler ensures the temperature doesn’t drop too much and risks freezing the wine.
Maintaining the Wine Cooler
Wine coolers can last exceptionally long with proper management. By following these maintenance tips, bypass any frequent need to visit a home appliance repair shop.
- Clean out the wine cooler entirely at least once a year
- If a bottle breaks inside the cooler, purge its entire content and clean out any glass shards
- Check the drainage and ensure that there are no blockages
- Inspect the gasket to make sure that the wine cooler door closes properly.
Related Article: Why It’s Important to Have Your Appliances Serviced Regularly
Conclusion
Regardless of the home appliance you are using, you need to check its functionality regularly. These appliances can serve you for a prolonged period with minimal repairs. So, follow these tips and enjoy your machines for the long haul.
And when they stop working, our appliance repair service can step in. Prime Appliance Repair will get your device working smoothly again the same day you call us.
Call 647-905-7496 today to book a repair session.
