Homeownership is an exciting and rewarding milestone. Along with it comes responsibility, including the upkeep and maintenance of various appliances in your home. Routines checks and regular maintenance can help extend the lifespan and keep your appliances running smoothly. To help you get started, here are a few appliance maintenance tips for new homeowners.
Proper care of the refrigerator is important for keeping food fresh and preventing costly repairs. Be sure the temperature is set to the recommended level and also clean the condenser coil at least once a year. Besides keeping your refrigerator working efficiently, it’s also essential to make sure that you clean the inside regularly, periodically check for spills and replace air filters as needed.
In order to keep your stove and ovens in top shape, it’s essential to keep them clean on a regular basis. Make sure to wipe up any splatter that occurs while cooking, thoroughly clean the oven and stove top on a weekly basis, and review the manufacturer’s instructions on the type of cleaning products to use. Finally, replace the burner covers and check the burners for debris.
Maintaining the Dishwasher and Kitchen Faucet
Your dishwasher works hard to keep dishes clean. To prevent buildup inside the dishwasher, be sure to clean out and inspect filters on a regular basis. Additionally, run a hot rinse cycle periodically with no dishes inside the dishwasher to help remove dirt and debris. In terms of the kitchen faucet, make sure to check for leaks and replace the cartridge at least once a year.
Experts recommend replacing the faucet aerator at least once a year as well, as it can get clogged with hard water deposits. Additionally, take a minute to wipe off the handles and spout to ensure that the faucet remains in working condition and looks great too.
Washing Machine Maintenance
The washing machine itself is a fairly simple appliance, but if neglected it can cause larger problems like flooding and water damage. Take the time to check for any damage or clogs to the hoses and clean out the filter. Additionally, you should periodically check for leaks and also clean the drum and gasket of your machine regularly.
To extend the lifespan of your washing machine, it’s important to use the correct cycle for the type of fabric that’s being washed. Finally, if your washing machine is not draining, inspect the pump and make sure the area around the machine is clear.
Caring for Other Appliances
Other common household appliances such as the vacuum cleaner, heating and air conditioning systems, indoor lighting, and smoke detectors also need maintenance. To ensure that your vacuum cleaner is working properly, regularly check to make sure hoses and belts are in good condition and replace the bag and filters when needed. For your HVAC system, regularly replace the air filter and check to make sure that the air vents and ducts are clean.
It’s also important to make sure that your smoke detectors and indoor lighting are working properly. Test the smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries when needed. You should also replace any incandescent lightbulbs with energy efficient LED or CFL bulbs, which will last much longer and help you conserve energy.
Conclusion
Taking the time to perform regular maintenance on your home’s appliances can help them stay in good condition and last longer, which will save you money in the long run. Following these appliance maintenance tips will ensure that your home appliances are running safely and optimally.