Appliance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Nowadays, most homeowners would find it very difficult to live without the appliances that come standard in most homes. Having to wash clothes by hand and dry them on a clothesline, grocery shop every day, and salt meat and store it in a cellar to avoid spoiling are almost unfathomable in this day and age. While modern appliances do take away the need to do all of these things, they still need to be properly cared for. Here are four appliance mistakes people commonly make and how they can be avoided:

Overworking and/or Not Protecting Your Washer

New model washing machines are very high-tech, from their dozens of cleaning options to high-definition displays. This can all be damaged or ruined very easily by no fault of your own. If something were to knock out the power transformer in your neighborhood, the resulting surge could essentially fry your washer. In order to prevent this, plug the washer into a surge performer instead of directly into a power outlet.

It may seem odd that your washer shouldn’t be filled all the way to the top. Why do they make it so big if it isn’t meant to be fully loaded? A washer should be filled to approximately 2/3 of its capacity to allow room for the clothing to move around and be cleaned. Anything more than this can damage the internal components of the washer.

Not removing the Lint from Your Dryer

Lint buildup in a dryer is very flammable and should be removed after every use. If too much is collected, the hot air in your dryer may not be able to escape and can ignite the lint. To avoid this, simply remove the lint trap and dispose of the contents after you use the dryer. Additionally, the vent hose should be cleaned semi-annually. If your dryer vent is not easily accessible, consider contacting a professional to take on the job.

Using the Incorrect Type of Soap in Your Dishwasher

Soap used to hand wash dishes and soap used to wash dishes in the dishwasher are two different items. When hand washing soap is put in a dishwasher, bubbles can form and begin spilling out in volumes. Aside from checking what you grabbed before placing it into the dishwasher, there is no way to completely prevent this; however, the issue can be kept from getting worse in just a few easy steps. First, all dishes and racks should be removed and rewashed by hand. Then, as much of the excess water and soap should be removed as possible. Finally, vinegar and ice cubes should be used to run a cleaning cycle.

Not Keeping Tabs on the Temperature of Your Refrigerator

Letting food that requires refrigeration get above 40 degrees Fahrenheit can cause spoilage and bacterial growth to occur. Therefore, it is critical to monitor the temperature inside of your refrigerator. Most modern refrigerators come with temperature displays, but older models may require a handheld thermometer to be kept inside. To keep your refrigerator from getting too warm, be sure to clean the condenser every six months with a vacuum or specialized brush.

For any other appliance-related questions, contact ELA Home Repairs at 1-800-368-PROS (7767).