Summer’s not quite here, but the temps are rising! Have you done the important Spring Cleaning on your appliances yet? When you perform maintenance and cleaning on your appliances, you are helping them run more efficiently and you are increasing their lifespan as well. There is no better time than Spring to give your appliances some love as most appliances will be working extra hard during the hot, hot Summer months.
With the kids off school and the beautiful sunny weather, your washing machine will be washing loads almost daily to get rid of the mess the family will bring home from their summer enjoyment! The hotter temperatures means the cooling appliances will be working on overdrive as well, compensating for the extra heat in the air and the ins and outs of summer cooking and filling up those glasses with ice. So keeping your appliances maintained will help them keep up with all this extra work!
With all that in mind we wanted give you our top tips for Spring cleaning and maintenance on your appliances. Check them out below!
Washers:
- For front load washers running the cleaning cycle (if you have that option) with an acid wash will keep them smelling fresh and clean. We recommend doing this monthly, and if you need some cleaner we sell it right at our shop. Give us a call today!
- Change your washer hoses if they are older than 5 years, otherwise it could start leaking at any moment. The cost of the hoses are much cheaper than the potential cost of fixing flood damage.
- Check the valves at the wall connection and anything else connected to water to check for cracks, bulges, and decay, to ensure there are no potential leaks.
Dryers: – The #1 appliance to inspect because when not maintained it is a huge fire hazard.
- Check your drying time; if it takes longer than one cycle, you have a problem that needs to be addressed.
- Make sure the vent material from dryer to the wall is not crushed, bent, or misshapen.
- Check the outside dryer vent cap and make sure it’s not blocked, is clean and allowing air to flow freely.
- Remember to clean your filter every load, otherwise your dryer will be working harder and using more electricity each load.
- Have your dryer vent professionally cleaned every year. This is essential to stopping the thousands of fires caused annually by clogged dryer vents!
Refrigerators:
- The water filter for your fridge and ice maker should be changed every 6 – 12 months. When it fills up with contaminants it can actually make water dirtier than it was from the tap!
- If the bar between the refrigerator and freezer is hot, the condenser coils are probably plugged and MUST be cleaned immediately. A professional cleaning each year will ensure it is not overheated and stressing the unit. The last thing you need is to wake up to a warm fridge!
- Make sure your fridge temperature is set between 37-40 F & freezer is set at 0 F. No need to make it colder than necessary, wasting electricity and driving up that utility bill!
- Check the door seals and gaskets, and make sure no cold air is escaping. Sometimes the seals just need to be cleaned with mild soap and water, but if that doesn’t stop the cold air from escaping you will want to have the door seals replaced.
Garbage Disposal:
- Feel around the outside of your garbage disposal under the sink to check for cracks and leaks.
- Keep your blades sharp by filling the disposal with ice cubes, and running it until the ice is crushed. Add a citrus rind to add a nice, fresh smell.
- If it’s a bit smelly, you can clean it by pouring baking soda and white vinegar into the disposal, let it sit for a couple minutes, then grind for a few seconds.
Dishwashers:
- Check all the water hoses and valves for leaks.
- To keep it smelling fresh run an acid wash cycle to break up calcium and sanitize the unit.
- Clean the dishwasher gaskets with a damp towel to remove any dirt or debris to ensure a tight seal.
- Clean the dishwasher trap and filter, if you have one, and remove any debris you find. Excessive water left behind after the load is done indicates a potential problem. This is dirty water and is unsanitary.
Remember, if you get in over your head, you can always call a professional! We at Cody’s Appliance Repair perform preventative maintenance on appliances, and we would be happy to take care of yours. Feel free to give us a call at (208) 938-1066.
Summary
Article Name
Spring Cleaning For Your Appliances
Description
Spring Maintenance & Cleaning Guide For Your Appliances.
Author
Patty Husk
