Do you know how to perform home appliance maintenance? If not, then it is time to learn. Home appliances such as your stovetop and refrigerator are important pieces of your household that help make daily life easier. Regular home appliance maintenance can ensure the longevity and safety of these items while also saving you money over time on costly repairs. This post will discuss ten tips to maintain your home appliances and keep them in good working order for many years.

Home appliance maintenance tips and tricks:

• Cleaning the exterior of appliances with a damp cloth, soapy water, or even an ammonia solution will help to remove grease and restore shine. It is best practice to clean behind/underneath all home appliances annually to prevent dirt and grime from building up. A vacuum attachment with a brush is great for picking up dust around the exterior of appliances, removing debris inside vents/grills, as well as on top of cabinets.
• If you have an electric stovetop, make sure to clean behind it regularly so that there isn’t food residue or grease build-up that can cause a fire.
• When it comes to cleaning ovens, the best course of action is to turn on self-clean mode and allow your appliance to do all the work for you. This feature makes a huge difference in how clean your appliances stay over time. If something spills inside of an oven while cooking (such as soup, sauce, or water), please do not turn the oven off and try to clean it up on your own. This can cause serious damage to both you and your appliance.
• For dishwasher upkeep, be sure that dishes are loaded properly so as not to prevent them from getting cleaned.
• Also, keep check for any leaks under a dishwasher, which is a sign of damage and could potentially cause water damage to your floors.
• For appliances with touchpad controls (such as microwaves), be sure not to spill liquids or foods directly onto the control panel. Any spills in this area should be cleaned immediately to not become sticky/residue build up over time.
• If your refrigerator is leaking water, you will want to check beneath it and look for any puddles. This could be a sign of damage or improper installation.
• When looking at the cost of repairing/replacing an appliance versus buying a new one, most appliances don’t make financial sense to repair because they are so inexpensive nowadays. If you do decide to repair it, be sure that the problem is not a small fix and requires more work than what the appliance is worth.
• Always unplug appliances before cleaning them or performing maintenance. This will protect both your safety and prolong the life of your appliances.

When it comes to home appliance maintenance, the best thing that you can do is be proactive and take care of your appliances before they become problematic. This will save you money in the long run and help prolong their life expectancy by many years to come.