Home appliances are not cheap and that’s why we want our appliances to last a long time. However, constant use can significantly shorten the lifespan of our appliances. The question here is whether there is anything we can do to change that.
Thankfully, there are some easy ways that we can make our home appliances last and those have to do with maintenance. Here are some easy maintenance tips that can make your home appliances such as fridges, ovens, washing machines, and so on last.
- Know how to properly use your appliances
If you want to make your appliances last then the first thing you should do is learn how to properly use them. You wouldn’t believe how many people misuse their appliances simply because they don’t take the time to learn how to properly use them.
The most common mistakes people make can cause appliances to break down faster and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid. For example, many people tend to overfill their dishwashers. Then, you can’t imagine how many people use the oven’s warming drawer as additional storage.
Washing machines break down the most due to all the common ways people misuse them overloading them, doing too many loads at once, leaving wet clothing in there for too long, and so on.
- Regular and thorough cleaning
The best and easiest way to prolong the life of your appliances is by cleaning them regularly and thoroughly. You can’t expect them to last long if you don’t take care of them. So, make sure that you regularly clean them.
For example, ovens should be cleaned after every use because the longer you wait the more spills and drips, and grease will build up. In turn, your oven will have a hard time heating up and doing what it’s supposed to.
The same applies to your dishwasher. After prolonged use, food residue can clog the dishwasher drain and prevent the water from draining. To avoid this, remove food from your dishes manually and rinse your dishes thoroughly before loading them. Also, check and clean the water drain regularly as well.
- Regular maintenance
You can’t expect your appliances to last if you don’t maintain them properly. Just like cleaning your home appliances is important, so is regular maintenance. What this means is that every now and then, depending on how old your appliances are, you should call a professional to check your appliances.
Just as you regularly take your car to a mechanic’s shop, you should also do the same for your appliances. A technician will know exactly what to check and they will have all the necessary appliance parts in case something needs to be changed.
- Don’t fix appliances yourself
The one mistake many appliance owners make is trying to fix the appliances themselves. Yes, being handy and wanting to save some money is nice and all, but more often than not, it can turn out to be more expensive.
If you’re not a professional appliance technician, chances are that you don’t know how to fix your appliances. By trying to save some money and trying your hand at DIYing, you can make things worse.
Instead, don’t be afraid to call a service and ask them for help. Yes, you’ll pay a bit more, but at least you won’t have to replace the appliances.
- Don’t abuse your appliances
Your appliances can last a long time if you don’t abuse and misuse them. Your washing machine, for example, is only meant to wash a certain amount of clothing. If your machine can wash 7kg of laundry don’t push it by loading 8kg. This can lead to it breaking.
The same goes for your other appliances, don’t push them over their limits if you want them to last a long time. Don’t cover or block vents on your appliances, don’t push them past their limits, and don’t use them for the wrong things.
- Keep them unplugged and store them safely
When you’re not using your appliances make sure you unplug them and keep them stored away safely. In addition to using your appliances safely, you also need to keep them safe when you’re not using them.
Never leave unused appliances plugged in because this can waste power and also cause the appliances to deteriorate faster. Store your appliances in dry places and on high shelves or locked cupboards away from children and pets.
Even though appliances nowadays aren’t made to last for a long time, you can still do your part and prolong their lifespan. Take care of your home appliances, clean and maintain them regularly, don’t misuse them, and store them properly and they are bound to last longer than expected.