5 Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Your Appliances
When it comes to appliances, there’s one thing we are all terrified of: having a reliable machine breaking down when we need it the most. Imagine if your washer suddenly stopped working in the middle of a cycle just before you had a busy week at work. Or your refrigerator not being able to maintain a cold temperature quickly after you have restocked it with new goods. Or your oven fails the day before you have to prepare turkey for a family holiday dinner on Thanksgiving.
No one wants to find themselves in one of these predicaments. But fortunately, even though it is hard to anticipate them, you can prevent abrupt malfunctions by following some guidelines (weekly, monthly, and yearly) for cleaning and maintaining household appliances.
We won’t necessarily go through the processes of thorough appliance cleaning and maintenance that need the guidance of a reputable supplier like Danny’s Appliance. Instead, we’ll go over some basic procedures that, if followed adequately, will ensure that your household appliances remain in excellent operating condition for a very long time. So, without further ado, let’s jump to the expert tips.
How Often to Clean (Almost) Every Appliance in Your Home
When was the last time you gave your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, or washing machine a good cleaning? If not recently, some germs and bacteria may be lurking inside. To help you get back on track, we’ve compiled a few expert cleaning tips that will help you remember which germs and bacteria can build up on or in common household appliances (if you don’t get breaking), explain how frequently you should be cleaning them, and what you should use when you do clean them.
Refrigerator
Since it is a breeding ground for germs, your refrigerator has to be cleaned and disinfected at least once a week, even if you don’t like doing it. Use antibacterial wipes to clean up spills as they happen (and the handle, if it makes sense), and then wipe down the outside of the product with whatever the manufacturer recommends for use on the surface of the machine without causing damage.
Dishwasher
Environmental bacteria tend to grow around the seal of a dishwasher. To prevent this from happening, wipe the seal down once a week with a mild bleaching solution. In terms of the inside, change the filter and leave a cup of baking soda on the top rack overnight. The next morning, pour about one cup of white vinegar into the bottom and run the dishwasher on the hottest setting.
Washing Machine
Studies have revealed that washing machines may harbor fecal germs (E. coli), intestinal bacteria, and viruses (noroviruses, rotavirus, and hepatitis A). This is particularly true if bleach or germicide is not used in conjunction with the wash cycle. To prevent the growth of germs, run an empty cycle with water and a cup of bleach once every week, depending on how often you use the machine.
Microwave Oven
When it comes to the spread of bacteria, the door handle is the most problematic part of an oven; thus, clean it every time you put food in. For the inside, Take one lemon and set it in a bowl with four cups of water. Place the bowl inside and run the oven for three to five minutes until the water boils. Let the steam dislodge the grease, drips, and filth on the surface. Finally, wipe it off with a sponge.
General Home Appliance Maintenance Tips
Above, we covered some useful cleaning tips for each household appliance. In this section, we’ll discuss general home appliance maintenance tips. Continue reading to see what we mean.
(1) Recalibrate the Oven Temperature Readings
There are times when the oven doesn’t heat up to the appropriate temperature. If this continues to happen, it is a sign that the temperature settings on the oven need to be adjusted, and the easiest way to accomplish this is to follow the directions provided in the product manual. If you cannot locate the manual, look for a digital version online on the manufacturer or supplier’s website.
(2) Place the Appliance on an Anti-Vibration Pad
When in operating condition, most household appliances produce vibrations. Thus, when it comes to maintaining your household appliances, installing anti-vibration pads on the bottom of the device should be a priority. These anti-vibration pads, made of a flexible rubber substance, prevent the appliance from sliding about while it’s working and hold it in place.
(3) Avoid Slamming the Doors
The majority of dryer and washer doors, despite their seemingly sturdy appearance, are fragile, meaning that the doors will become unusable if you practice slamming them repeatedly. And fixing this issue with one of your household appliances may save you one hundred dollars. Thus, to prevent these costly repairs, you must refrain from slamming the doors of your household appliances.
(4) Watch Out for Device Overload
It is impossible to present a thorough reference for maintaining an appliance without first addressing the possibility of overloading them. When your machine is overloaded, it puts unnecessary strain on the motors, belts, and other moving components, which may lead to expensive repairs. Thus, comply with the specified parameters provided by the device’s manufacturer regarding its storage capacity.
(5) Say No to DIYs Repairs
Do-it-yourself appliance repair may save you a few dollars in the short term, but it also raises the possibility that you may do further damage to the appliance, which will need more expensive repairs in the long run. For instance, many individuals repair just the superficial damage to their appliances while completely ignoring that there may be a more serious problem that isn’t immediately apparent.
Call in a Professional to Fix Any Broken Appliances
No appliance is foolproof, and if you’ve got a device that needs urgent fixing, Danny’s Appliance has got you covered. Established almost 50 years ago, the company continues to set the standard of excellence in the appliance and repair industry. So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with a certified technician today and get your appliances working again in no time. For more information, visit www.dannysapplianceri.com or call (401) 351-0510 to speak with a representative.
