We all have
that fear. Your washing machine breaks in the middle of a cycle, flooding your
laundry room. Your refrigerator shuts down after you just restocked with
groceries. Or your oven stops working just before a large holiday meal. What
many people don't realize is that these and other major appliance malfunctions
can be avoided with just a little TLC.
There are simple appliance maintenance tasks that you can do on
your own, with little investment (time or money) and no prior experience. Here
are the last five of ten easy DIY tips for maintaining your appliances.
6. Fix rusty dish rack tines.
Rust on the tines of your dishwasher racks can adhere to and ruin your dishes
and silverware. To solve this issue, purchase a tine repair kit, and use a
sealant to adhere the replacement tips over any rusty or chipped tines. Let dry
for at least 24 hours before running the dishwasher.
7. Clean and deodorize your garbage disposal.
Turn the disposal off and look down the drain for any large, stuck items. Use
tongs or another tool--not your hands--to remove blockages. Pour a mixture of
ice cubes and salt, or vinegar down the drain. Run cold water over it for 10
seconds, and turn on the unit. To remove odors, place a handful of citrus peels in
the disposal, run cold water, and turn it on.
8. Clean your dryer exhaust. Lint
in the dryer exhaust not only reduces appliance efficiency, it is a fire hazard. To clean, loosen the clamp and
pull the exhaust off the back of the dryer. Remove large clumps of lint from
the tubing and the hole in the back with your hands, or if you can't reach,
gently scrape with a straightened coat hanger. Vacuum and reattach.
9. Inspect washing machine hoses.
Most washing machine floods are caused by leaks in the hose. Check the hoses
that connect to the back panel on your washing machine for any cracks, leaks,
or weak spots on the hoses. If you find any deformities, replace the hose. And
at minimum, replace the hoses every five years.
10. Clean your air conditioner filter.
Clogged or dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing energy efficiency as well
as the appliance's lifespan. As a result, filters should be cleaned every two
to four weeks. To clean the filter, remove the front panel of the unit. If a
reusable filter is in place, vacuum it to remove as much dirt as possible. Disposable
filters can simply be replaced.
Follow these quick and easy repair tips to keep your appliances running like new.
Follow these quick and easy repair tips to keep your appliances running like new.
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