We’re all spending a lot of time at home these days – and for good reason. With all these extra hours around the abode, appliances are showing their importance for everyday life more than ever. They help us cook, they clean our clothes and dishes, they keep our food fresh and our family comfortable. Any minor disruption of these services can cause a major inconvenience – not to mention a hefty price tag if replacement is needed. Fortunately, what many people don’t realize is that your appliances can avoid dreaded malfunctions with just a little maintenance and care.
Speaking of Care… Care to Learn More?
Keep in mind, we’re not talking about the kind of TLC that requires a professional – that’s our job. Rather, these 5 simple tasks you can do on your own, with little or no prior experience. By applying these maintenance tricks, not only are you able to make the most of your appliances, but you will have a better idea of when it’s time to call someone for help… like us.
Fridge Coils – Cleaner is Cooler
Dirt, dust and pet hair can clog up refrigerator coils and restrict air flow. This causes your fridge to work harder to keep its cool. Every six months or so, take a handheld vacuum to the coils. The location of your refrigerator coils varies by model, but most can be found either behind the kick plate (the front panel near the floor) or at the rear of the fridge.
Fridge Filter – Fresh for a Change
Fresh water is the best water. Filters that don’t efficiently remove contaminants and impurities could significantly reduce the quality of your water. Instructions for changing the filter vary by model, but most are as easy as turning the filter a quarter inch and popping it out or locking it in place. If your fridge doesn’t have a filter change warning indicator, you’ll want to perform this simple task every three to six months, depending on your water usage.
Garbage Disposal – Got Some Odor in the Rotor?
Funny smell coming from the drain? 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.
Dryer Exhaust – Lessen the Lint
Lint in the dryer exhaust not only reduces its efficiency, it can be 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.
Washing Machine Hoses – Check and Inspect
The last thing you want is a laundry room or garage flooded with water. 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. If you find any, replace the hose. Some appliance companies recommend you replace the hoses every five years.
BONUS! – Replace Your A/C Filter
We promised ourselves we’d stick to appliances and keep A/C service out of this blog… but we just can’t help ourselves. While we may have mentioned it once or maybe twice before, changing your A/C filter is so important that it makes sense to say it again. Clogged or dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing energy efficiency as well as your HVAC’s lifespan. As a result, filters should be replaced regularly.
The Badger Bottom Line
Staying comfortable while staying home means relying on your household appliances to do their jobs. To ensure maximum efficiency and working order, there are some simple steps you can take before calling a professional. If you need appliance repair or replacement, we can help. Our team of technicians are ready to serve you by following our strict COVID-19 sanitization and cleaning guidelines to keep you safe. To schedule an appliance service appointment, you can call 941.225.2775 or visit https://badgerbobs.com/appliances/.