Maintenance tips:

The chart below gives you an idea on life expectancy of major household appliances and appliance maintenance tips that you can throughout the year will extend life of your appliances and ensure they run at peak efficiency .

We also recommend that you keep a calendar for all your appliance maintenance and service.

Appliance Type
Life Expectancy (Years)
Washers 16
Dryers 18
Ranges/Ovens/Stoves 23
Dishwashers 16
Refrigerators 18
Freezers 20
Icemakers 18
Garbage Disposers

Refrigerator

Every six months clean coils (on the newer models they are usually behind the snap-out grill at the front bottom of the unit and on older models they are located in the back and are partially covered by cardboard) with a condenser coil brush that you can buy at an appliance dealer or on internet. Don't forget to unplug your refrigerator when you clean coils. Try to avoid touching insulation or bending the fan blades. Once a year move the refrigerator out and clean around and under it. Don't forget regularly change the water filter on ice maker.

Dishwasher

Usually the kitchen is located far from the water heater therefore before you turn your dishwasher, you need to run the hot water in the sink near it, so even during the first cycle the water is at or near the required temperature of 120°F.

Never use any other cleaning detergents such as laundry detergent or liquid hand dish detergent for your dishwasher. If you notice that the dishes aren't getting as clean as they should and there are white spots on glasses there is a possibility that you use to much detergent. We suggest that you use commercial dishwasher cleaners such as Dishwasher Magic and Glisten.

Stove

Most gas and electric stove problems could be avoided if simple maintenance and cleaning tasks have been done correctly over time. Make sure when you clean your stove, water doesn't get to the electronic parts, such as knobs and control panels. If at any time you smell gas, shut off the gas valve, if you don't know where it is located, you need to call your local gas company immediately.

Oven

For cleaning your oven, we recommend to run self-cleaning cycle. Prior to cleaning, remove racks, sweep out crumbs, loosen large particles with a damp rag and a plastic spatula to ensure complete cleaning. then clean around the door and its gasket because these areas generally don't receive enough heat to thoroughly burn off grease and splatters. Follow your manufacture manual for a minimum duration of the cleaning cycle. Wait for the oven to completely cool and then wipe out ashes with a clean wet paper towel or rag. If you can avoid it, don't run the self-cleaning cycle before a dinner party or other major event during which you plan to cook and entertain. Ovens often fail during and just after a self-cleaning cycle.

Microwave

Follow the manufacturer's instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions. We recommend to wash your microwave regularly with mild detergent and water and wipe it dry. When using your microwave, avoid unnecessary spatters by covering dishes with plastic cover which is sold in stores such as Target or Wal-Mart or paper towel.

Vent Hoods

Range hoods and fans help to remove grease and moisture from cooking and therefore they collect dirt and grease that needs regular cleaning. Wash exposed metal with warm suds solution and rinse. If very greasy, use ammonia and water and rinse. Don't use abrasive pads or scouring powders as they can scratch the finish. Wash light bulb when cool with suds then rinse and dry with paper towel. Occasionally clean fan blades of dirt and grease. Wash the hood inside and outside with warm, soapy water often. If the hood is vented you need to check the exhaust vent often especially if you find a lessening of the hoods efficiency, because grease and dirt buildup, both of which occur normally with age, can block the vent.

Twice a year we recommend that you take the metal filter out of the hood and put it in warm and soapy water to soak for 5-10 minutes, then wash and rinse it. Dry the filter and put it back in the hood. You your hood has activated charcoal filters you need to replace them once a year. You can buy charcoal filters from stores that sell that brand of hood. If instead you have electronic air cleaners in place of a ducted system, follow the manufacture manual instructions for regular cleaning of these filters.

Disposal

Garbage disposal units or garbage disposers offer great convenience in the kitchen. To help them to work to their full capacity and smell good - always turn the water on before you start the disposal and don't turn it off for 30 seconds after the unit has stopped to maintain water flow through the disposal. To help with odor turn cold water on and add cubes of ice to the running garbage disposal.

To help If the disposal hums but won't turn, it's probably jammed. Turn it off, stick an Allen wrench in the fitting in the bottom center of the shaft and turn it back and forth until it begins to turn all the way around. If you have to remove jamming material, use tongs. If the disposal won't hum when you turn it on, its internal overload protection may have been tripped. Locate a red button at the bottom of the garbage disposer, switch the power off, then push and release that button and try again.

Washer

Washers without detergent dispensers built for powder detergent. Put powder detergent first before you load your washer with clothes. To avoid the wax build up from fabric softeners, dilute it with water before pouring it in. If there's a fabric softener dispenser on your machine, add the recommended amount and then top it off with water. We suggest that you use a 3-to-1 ratio of softener to water if you are pouring from the cup. Do not overload your washer with clothes leave as much room for the water. An overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.

Dryers

Clean the lint filter before every dryer load. If it takes your dryer longer than usual to dry a load of clothes, check your air duct first. It might needs cleaning and if you can't do it yourself, call a reputable air duct cleaning company. Twice a year clean the lint filter with soap and water to remove built-up soap and fabric softener. Once a year disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer and remove accumulated lint.

Air Conditioner

The only maintenance that is required for air conditioner is a replacement or a cleaning of the air filters before the season starts.

Furnace and Forced Air Heaters

Before the season starts clean or replace filters. Local gas companies provide once a year free safety check up service.

Water Heater

New models of the water heaters with sealed burners have screens on the bottom that need to be cleaned once a year. Don't store any flammable items near the water heater. Local gas companies provide once a year free safety check up service.

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