What would our homes be without the appliances in them? They keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer, refrigerate our perishables, cook our meals, and allow us the cleanliness and comforts of modern life.
Aside from a quick wipe-down, though, most people don’t maintain appliances such as ovens, water heaters, and HVAC systems until something goes wrong. Making appliance maintenance a regular part of your household upkeep can not only reduce the chances of future breakdowns but also minimize energy costs and ensure efficient operation.
If you’re intimidated by the idea of maintaining your household appliances, don’t fret. Even major machines can be kept in top condition with just a few tools and a little time, especially if you inspect them regularly. Let’s take a look at six appliance maintenance tasks to keep your home running smoothly.
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Deep Cleaning Your Washing Machine
Clean clothes require a clean machine, and you can get yours in great shape in the time it takes to run a quick cycle. You do this by targeting the drain and the filter. To start, turn off the water supply to your machine, then disconnect the drain hose from the connector and let it empty into a small bucket. You might notice some muck stuck in there — just fish it out with your finger to allow the water to flow freely. Next, if your washing machine has a filter, remove it and scrape off any trapped lint or other debris. Once clean, replace the filter and reconnect the drain hose. The final step is to turn the water back on and disinfect the machine by running a hot water cycle with either 1/2 cup bleach (1/4 cup for high-efficiency machines) or a mixture of 2 cups vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda.
Keeping Your Dryer Vent Flowing
While you’re in the laundry room, make sure your dryer is getting some care too. First, unplug your machine, and if it’s a gas model, turn off the gas supply valve. Then, locate your dryer vent, which is typically on the back of the machine near the bottom. Remove the cover, if there is one, or the vent hose.
You’ll probably notice the usual mess you might find in your lint trap — lint, hair, bits of receipt paper, etc. Use your hand to clear away as much as possible and throw it in the trash. Attach a crevice tool to your vacuum hose and suction out any trapped lint or debris. Put the cover back on or secure the vent hose. Plug in your machine, turn on the gas supply valve if necessary, and you should be good for another year.
Flushing Your Hot Water Heater
This one may seem intimidating, but it’s an important bit of maintenance to keep up with. Fortunately, it’s quick and easy to do on your own. Start by turning off the cold water supply and the power. If you have a gas heater, turn the pilot light off or as low as you can. You won’t need tools for this, but you will need a garden hose to drain the water out of your heater. Attach the hose to your drain valve at the bottom of the tank, and place the other end at a floor drain, or outside. To help the water drain, run hot water out of a faucet in another room; this allows air to enter the tank and break the vacuum. Draining the tank usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, and once it’s emptied, you can turn the cold water supply off and on a few times to help flush out any sediment at the bottom. Let the water drain out of the garden hose until it runs clear. Then, remove the hose, close the drain valve, refill the tank, and turn the power back on (or relight the pilot light if it’s a gas water heater).
Cleaning Your Fridge Coils
Your refrigerator consumes a lot of energy — an estimated 18% to 20% of a household’s electricity use — but you can keep it running efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils once or twice a year. You’ll usually find these coils on the back of the fridge, or at the bottom behind a grate. To clean them, just pop off any covering, and use a coil brush to gently remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs, or other debris. You can use your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment to suck up anything trapped between the coils. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to pick up the rest.
Showing Your Oven Some Love
Wiping down the stovetop goes a long way in maintaining your oven, but cleaning the inside is essential to its long-term performance. Cleaning baked-on grime off the grates and oven door is a task that should be done regularly. You can take your cleaning routine a step further by checking the oven door seal; the narrow bit of rubber or silicone that runs along the edges of the door. Look for cracks or breaks in the seal. If necessary, replace it with a new oven door seal to keep the heat in, ensuring evenly and efficiently cooked meals.
Updating Your Air Filters
No matter where you live, you’ll likely need to use your heating and cooling system at some point during the year. Keeping it in the best shape possible not only ensures your comfort but also saves you money on energy bills. An easy way to do this at home is by simply inspecting and replacing old or outdated air filters. All you need to do is turn your HVAC system off, remove your old filter, and replace it with a brand-new air filter of the same size. Then, turn your system on, and enjoy clean, filtered air for the next six to 12 months.
Adding these maintenance tasks to your regular cleaning routine will help you get the most out of your household appliances. We recommend doing one every other month — that way, you won’t feel overwhelmed by a full day of maintenance, and it will be easy to remember what’s next to address.
