How to maintain home appliances – tips and tricks

FT NEWS

 

Large appliances such as cooking ranges, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and dishwashers are expensive, which makes repair and maintenance of home appliances an essential part of household chores. Otherwise, these appliances will stop functioning the way they should, and sooner or later, one will need to replace them. By taking care of these appliances with regular cleaning and maintenance, one can be assured that they work efficiently and save on electricity and repair costs in the long term.

Small kitchen appliances such as mixers, coffee machines and toasters also need to be cleaned, but their care and maintenance are more straightforward than that of large appliances. By cleaning them as soon as one uses them, the kitchen appliance maintenance routine is simplified, and they will require repairs less often.

If you need professional tips on how to maintain home appliances, read on to discover some simple maintenance routines that you can regularly undertake so that the appliances run without requiring major repairs for years, thereby ensuring that your daily schedule isn’t disrupted too often. Today, we cover some simple home appliance maintenance tips that anyone can follow to keep the home running smoothly.  

Home appliance maintenance tips for the Refrigerator

Every home has at least one refrigerator in the kitchen as it’s something one can’t do without, whether it’s to keep food ingredients fresh or to chill water and drinks during the hot summer months. For old refrigerator models, which have the condenser coil exposed at the back, cleaning the coils every couple of months should be among the routine tasks on the list of repair and maintenance of home appliances in every home. In new models, clean the back of the refrigerator every few months to prevent the build-up of dirt to ensure that it continues to cool efficiently.

Among the other tasks that one should include in the list of chores for maintenance of electrical appliances is to ensure that the rubber seal along the inside of the doors of the refrigerator and freezer section is tight so that it prevents the cold air from escaping. Check the seal every few months and replace it if you notice cracks or tears. To prevent the seal from wearing out due to dryness, you can apply some petroleum jelly on it to keep it moist.  

Maintaining and fixing appliances – The chimney and hob

Modern kitchens have built-in stoves, and cooker hoods, which reduce the daily maintenance involved in cleaning the backsplash tiles and counter as the powerful suction in the chimney ensures that most of the splashes and splutters are sucked and transported out of the kitchen. However, the hood should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of grease and dirt, which reduces the effectiveness of its motor. Depending on the type of filter that the chimney hood uses, it should be removed and cleaned thoroughly at least once a month, if not more frequently.

The stove top is prone to collecting spills from cooking or oil splashes from frying. The best way to ensure that the stove or hob don’t need frequent repairs is to wipe spills and oil residue soon after cooking instead of allowing it to build up in layers that will make it more time-consuming to clean during the process of repairing and fixing appliances. Besides a daily wipe down of the stove surface and burners, to remove tough stains, detach the grids and burners and soak them in a mixture of hot water and soap for an hour, before scrubbing them clean. 

Maintenance and appliance repair tips for the washing machine

Clothes washers or washing machines should work efficiently to ensure that they don’t consume too much water or electricity. Since the appliance uses soap, it’s only natural that it builds up a film of soap residue after some time, which provides the right condition for mould and bacteria to grow. Besides wiping the moisture on the door, the schedule of repair and maintenance of home appliances should include inspecting the gap between the rubber seal on the door of frontloading washing machines and removing any dirt or soap residue that is caught in the fold.

One should also remove the soap drawer from the machine and clean it thoroughly, by soaking it for a few hours in hot and soapy water, if necessary, to dislodge to build up of soap and hard water residue. Additionally, check the connector pipe every few months, making sure to clean out the sieve that filters the water before it enters the machine. Once a month, remember to drain out and clean the chamber that traps dirt, lint, hair and other particles that prevent the washing machine from working efficiently.   

How to maintain home appliances – the air conditioner

When it comes to air conditioners, the annual repair and servicing are best left to professionals who are trained in the maintenance of electrical appliances as they need to dismantle the unit and clean the insides. When the repairman comes home to service the air conditioner, you can ask him for tips on regular maintenance such as vacuuming the vents to remove dust and removing any dead leaves or debris that accumulate on the condenser unit that is installed outside the house. While the air conditioner is used only during the summer months in most Indian homes, it’s essential to run it once a month at least for a few minutes to keep the appliance trouble-free.  

Home appliance maintenance tips for the dishwasher

Most modern Indian kitchens have either a freestanding or a built-in dishwasher. To ensure the appliance runs smoothly and consumes the minimum amount of water and electricity, one should follow the maintenance tips listed in the manufacturer’s manual. In most cases, it includes removing the filter at the bottom of the machine to remove any food particles that are caught in it as a build-up could block the water from draining out. Besides this, the spray arms need to be detached and cleaned, ensuring that the tiny nozzles are clear and free from any food or soap residue that blocks the water from being sprayed on the dishes.

In addition to these large appliances that are commonly used in Indian homes, one should clean or service smaller appliances such as microwave ovens, electric ovens, water purifiers and water heaters by wiping them down regularly to keep the surfaces and the interiors free of dust and grime. The best way to get tips on cleaning and maintenance is to observe the repair professional at work when he comes to service the appliance. You can also ask him for tips on how to maintain the machine so that it lasts for many years without requiring replacement.  

 

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