How to Make your Appliances Last Longer

Contributed post.

If you don’t feel as though your appliances are lasting as long as they should be, or if you feel as though you are constantly putting money into them and not getting the result you need, then it may be that you need to spend more time maintaining them. This is easy to do when you know the steps you need to take as well. 

Read the Instructions for your Appliance 

The first thing you need to do is take the time to read the instruction manual. If you’re one of those people who ignore the instructions on everything, then this is something that has to change. Even though most people don’t read the instructions, you need to change that if you want your appliances to last longer. Spend the time needed to familiarise yourself with the contents of the user manual, and also make sure that you take the time to maintain your appliance effectively. You also need to find out what you need to do to keep your appliance in good working order. This could include descaling it or running a cleaning solution through it from time to time. Some appliances may need lubricant applied over time as well. Most of the time, you can find things online, so make sure that you don’t overlook things like this if you can. If you need a good starting point, you can find washing machine cleaner tablets online. You can also find descaling tablets for your coffee machine if you have one, so make sure that you give some thought to that, as it could make a major difference overall. If you have lost your instruction manual, then you will know how frustrating this can be, but most of the time, you can find replacement manuals online, so make sure that you keep that in mind.

Empty your Filters

The filter of your home’s washing machine should be cleaned every six months or so. This is a good way for you to remove gunk or even spare change. The filter is usually tucked behind the panel of your washing machine, right at the base. If you can also check the filter of your dryer, if you have one. This is a great way for you to make sure that your dryer is not working harder than it should be and using more power as a result. This can add up and really impact your bills, so it’s important to consider things like this if you can.

Ventilation

You also need to make sure that you are allowing enough space for things like ventilation. If you have a freestanding fridge, then you need to leave 2cm or so at the top, as well as leave room behind the appliance. If you can do this, then you will be able to allow for better ventilation, which means it is much easier for your appliance to do its job properly. Ensuring that dust, lint, and any other obstructions are cleaned up is also important. If you don’t, then you may find that you end up putting your appliance at risk of an electrical fire. You will also find that it doesn’t work as well as it could, which is the last thing you need.

Clean your Appliances

Another thing you need to do is try and clean your appliances. Keep them clean and make sure that you clear away any food or debris as soon as you see it. Fridges and dishwashers work better when they are not clogged with limescale and food residue. If you can run your dishwasher on a hot cycle from time to time without any pots, and if you can run your washing machine on a hot cycle without anything in it, then this will again help. It will clear any bacteria, and it will also make sure that it’s not getting clogged over time. If you are struggling with things like limescale, then one thing you can do is try running your dishwasher on a normal cycle, but instead add some white vinegar. This will descale your dishwasher, and it will also help it to run more efficiently. White vinegar also works wonders if you have a kettle that is coated in limescale, so be sure to keep that in mind. Simply leave a solution of vinegar on your kettle and then rinse it off after.

Register your Warranty

If you have a warranty with your appliances, you should probably get it registered. A lot of people get a free warranty with their appliance, but they simply forget to get it registered. This is the last thing you want to do, as you may find that you end up struggling to get your appliance repaired if something goes wrong, but also to secure the right parts for it. If you want to do something here then get a folder and put all of your warranty information in it. You also need to try and make sure that you don’t overlook the importance of getting everything registered with the right information. Put down an email and phone number that you use a lot, rather than putting down a spam email because you don’t want constant updates from the company. This will help you to ensure that you are always mindful of the warranties you have and when they expire. If you want to help yourself, then you may also want to make sure that you are taking out the extended warranty if you can. A lot of companies will offer you the chance to pay for a warranty, and if you take this out after your free one has ended, you can avoid paying for a warranty that you might not need at the time. With that said, there’s usually a period that you can’t take it out after, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you can, as it will make a big difference to you and the result you get out of your appliances.