Home appliances work hard so that we don’t have to. Although they can withstand a lot of wear and abuse, neglecting your appliances will slowly kill them. Healthy appliances work better, longer, and more efficiently. Continue reading to discover some easy ways to extend the life of your appliances and save yourself money!

Furnace

  • Regularly replace furnace filters. Filters keep dust, hair, and other particles out of the air being pumped through your home. Eventually, these filters become too clogged to properly do their job. Replacing them every 1-2 months is a good way to increase the life of your furnace.
  • Have your furnace serviced annually by an HVAC professional.

Garbage Disposal 

  • Run your disposal with cold water. Hot water can melt food, causing it to stick to the blades and pipes.
  • Occasionally, keep the disposal running with cold water after the food has gone down. This will help ensure that the blades are free of debris.
  • Know that certain foods should not be put in the disposal.
  • Throw some orange or lemon peels down there every so often. The citrus peels will not only help clean the disposal blades, but they'll leave it smelling great!

Refrigerator

  • Clean your refrigerator’s coils. This is one of the best ways to increase the efficiency and life of your appliance. This can easily be done with a vacuum.
  • Repair and replace the rubber seal (aka gasket) around the door. This will prevent warm air from seeping in and forcing your fridge to work harder to keep it cool.  
  • Cool leftovers before putting it in the fridge. This is a small detail that will help decrease the amount of warmth in the fridge.
  • Defrost the freezer when too much ice builds up. There are many easy ways to defrost your freezer, and it can go a long way toward the longevity of your refrigerator.
  • See where your fridge and freezer temperature dials are set. The middle of the dial is the safest bet for ensuring your fridge isn’t being overworked. Plus, the stuff on the top shelf wont freeze!

Range/Oven

  • Use caution when cleaning your oven. Be sure to use a cleaner made for the inside of ovens. Note that many oven cleaners are toxic and should not be inhaled. If you’re not sure what to use, warm water and vinegar work well.
  • When cleaning your range, avoid spraying the knobs. Instead, spray a rag and then wipe surface clean. This will keep the electrical wires safe.

Dishwasher

  • Keep the rubber seal around the door clean, and replace it if it's damaged.
  • Allow dishes to air dry to keep from overworking the dishwasher.
  • Ensure that your dishwasher is level. Most have adjustable legs on the bottom that can be raised or lowered to level the unit. This will prevent damage from too much vibration.
  • Avoid harsh detergents with chlorine or bleach. These are rough on the machine. Also, note that pre-washing dishes too much can be harmful. Detergent is great at breaking up food debris. If the dishes are too clean, there is nothing for the soap to do but leak out!
  • Usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher is a filter. Cleaning the filter will prevent clogs and bad smells while improving efficiency.

Washing Machine

  • Don't overload it! Putting this kind of stress on your machine can damage the component, cause drainage issues, and even ruin it altogether. Not to mention that your clothes will come out dirty or damaged, as well.
  • If you’re going on vacation, turn off the water to your washer. This will decrease the pressure in the hoses and prevent leaks. It is also wise to regularly inspect all hoses for damage.
  • Keep the door open after each cycle. Giving your washer the chance to dry out will prevent mold, mildew, and rotten smells from building up!

Dryer

  • Clean the lint trap to keep your dryer running efficiently and keep the energy bill down.
  • Check the outer vent to make sure it’s not clogged.
  • Be careful with dryer sheets. Most dryers have a moisture sensor that prevents over-drying. This sensor increases the life of your dryer by cutting down its work.