Published August 16, 2022
7 Ways to Make Your Appliances Last
Anyone who has ever had to purchase a major appliance knows how expensive they can be, and it's frustrating to have to replace them. Whether you're trying to get your older appliances to keep working or you're looking to extend the life of a brand new appliance, following these seven tips will help your appliances last!
1. Follow the appliance's user guide: There is a good reason that your appliances come with user guides. While it can be time consuming to read the tiny print, it's crucial to helping your appliances work correctly and make them last. Following the instructions on the user guide will help you understand how your appliance works and even ways to save energy.
2. Plug major appliances into the wall: Major appliances in your home use quite a bit of energy, and from a safety standpoint, it is absolutely necessary to plug them into your main wall outlets. You should never use a power strip or extension cord for your large appliances.
3. Unplug small appliances when not being used: Smaller appliances such as toasters and coffee makers should be unplugged when not in use. Safely store them away, especially if the appliance generates heat; you should ensure that it is in an area where it is ventilated and can cool down.
4. Make your dishwasher last: Wipe down the seal that keeps the water in the dishwasher each day or after each use. You should also check the sprayer to ensure it doesn't have water or food build up.
5. Make your washing machine last: One major tip to make this appliance last is to avoid overfilling your washing machine. You want the clothing load to be distributed evenly so the motor doesn't get overburdened.
6. Make your dryer last: Being a major fire hazard, it is absolutely crucial that you remove the lint after each use. Additionally, you should clean out the hoses after each season to help keep the lint from building up.
7. Make your refrigerator last: You should follow your specific fridge's user manual on information regarding how and when to replace filters, how to set the temperature correctly, how to clean the drip pans and openings, etc. Knowing how your fridge works is key to making it last longer!
