Not ready to face the expense of replacing your stove, dishwasher, or even your vacuum?? Read on to discover some preventative measures you can take to keep many of your household appliances from reaching an early demise. Also, discover when it might be to consider finding a replacement…
| Appliance |
How to care for it |
When to replace it |
| Stand Mixer | Never overload the mixer, causing it to work harder and put extra strain on the motor. When cleaning, make sure ALL parts are cleaned including the attachment socket! | If the mixer won’t turn on at all, you probably have a dead motor. |
| Microwave | Always use proper microwave-safe plates and bowls. Keep the interior clean and the turntable rotating smoothly. | Takes too long to heat food or it won’t turn on. Beyond replacing a fuse, the cost to repair could exceed the cost to replace. |
| Drip Coffeemaker | Rinse pot and grind basket after each use. Once monthly, run 1 part vinegar/2 parts water solution through it to clean, followed by 2 brew cycles of plain water to rinse. | If your coffee isn’t really hot after brewing. The heating element has probably died. |
| Vacuum Cleaner | After every few uses, clean the filters, the opening to bag or canister, hoses, etc. Keep all air flow and parts moving properly. | If the motor dies. The cost to repair typically costs as much as a replacement. |
| Hair Dryer | Clean lint and dust from the rear filter regularly. | Replace if blowing cold air or has a burning smell! |
| Range | Wipe up spills and messes right away, keeping burners clean and preventing fires. The same applies to spills in the oven which can smoke or ignite! | Time to replace when the buttons or knobs no longer work the burners, gas burners won’t light, or the oven doesn’t heat up. |
| Dishwasher | Check the filter located in the bottom of the machine for clogs and debris. Use a cleaner made for dishwashers regularly. | If the machine is cracked, rusted, leaking from the bottom, and if the motor or pump stop working. |
| Washing Machine | Keep machine level, never use more detergent than instructed, and always remove objects from pockets to avoid damage to the machine. | If the washer sounds like a freight train during the spin cycle! This indicates a bad support bearing and a very pricey repair! |
| Clothes Dryer | Clean lint screen after each cycle. Hire a professional to clean vent duct and interior of dryer once a year. | Time to replace if you need to repair more than one part at a time, like a motor and timer. |
| Refrigerator | Once a year, use a vacuum to clean the coils located in the bottom or rear of the fridge. Also test the doors seals periodically to keep cold air from escaping. | Replace if it no longer keeps food cold or frozen. Almost every other part is repairable or replaceable except for the cooling system. |
With a little extra time and TLC you may be able to squeeze a few more days, months or years out of these frequently-used home appliances!
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