We rely heavily on our large electrical appliances for all the comforts and conveniences of daily life. The loss of just one appliance due to a malfunction can put a wrench in how smoothly your household runs–not to mention how the cost of repairing or replacing an appliance when you hadn’t expected to can cause some financial stress. The key to maximizing the lifespans of your electrical appliances is regular cleaning.
While cleaning large appliances probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list, you should at least attempt to give them some attention once every few months. They’ll last longer and serve you better throughout their lifespan this way. The smoother your appliances can run, the less likely they are to break or need significant repairs. Additionally, when they are operating correctly and efficiently, they will use less energy and ultimately cost less to run. Not to mention that clean washers and refrigerators decrease your family’s exposure to bacteria and mold.
Cleaning Your Fridge
A clean fridge is easier to organize, and a clean fridge environment ensures that your food remains fresh for longer. You should give your refrigerator a good deep clean once every three months. By disinfecting the shelves and walls, you remove potential breeding grounds for bacteria or mold that would have continued reaching your food items and causing them to spoil. A simple mixture of baking soda and warm water should do the trick for most of the fridge. Turn off your refrigerator and wipe the dust off the coils to allow better cooling and vacuum dust underneath it. To preserve efficiency, try not to put so many products on the door shelves that it causes the door to sag. If it does, it could break the seal and cause cold air to escape.
Cleaning Laundry Appliances
Dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers all run multiple times a week (usually) and use relatively large amounts of power and water when doing so. Since they are meant to remove grime, they deal with a lot of gunk that sometimes clogs filters or otherwise causes backups. Lint buildup in a dryer poses a considerable fire hazard. Clean your washers once a month to get rid of scum buildup, make sure filters are unclogged, and remove any pooling water that would allow for bacteria growth. Your items will come out cleaner, and your machines will operate more efficiently. While dryers don’t get as dirty, the filter should be cleaned after every use, and the exhaust vents should be cleaned out once a year to prevent lint buildup there.
Cleaning Your AC Unit
When an air conditioner gets dirty, it can significantly affect its ability to cool your house. If you notice that your unit is struggling, it’s likely overdue for a cleaning. First, replace the air filter once every three months at least. Before each spring, you should clean the outdoor condenser unit. Turn off all power to the AC unit, then open the fan grill. Remove any debris that has fallen inside, and wipe off the fan blades to remove pollen and dust. It doesn’t hurt to vacuum the inside as well. Clear debris and vegetation growing around the outside, then replace the fan grill. You should also wipe the coils on the interior of the unit in your basement or crawl space, then spray with an approved coil cleaner. This last step is the most crucial for ensuring your AC stays functional.
Another way to make sure your appliances live their best life is to make sure the electrical connection is working properly. A short circuit or improper wiring can cause damage to your appliances, so be sure that your electrical panel and wiring are up to date.
Call Promise Electric today for an electrical assessment, and to learn more about updating the wiring in your home.
