Preventative maintenance for your humidifier starts with the filter, or pad. Once water is evaporated through the filter or pad, they often get clogged with lime, calcium, and other sorts of deposits. This buildup is very difficult to remove and it also can decrease the efficiency. Most humidifiers are only capable of evaporating at half the rate once the filter is clogged up. So be sure to change the filter/pad once every six months. If you have a reservoir type humidifier, be sure to clean the float assembly once every six months to stop overfilling. If you have a flow-through style humidifier, check the drain to make sure there is proper water flow.
Preventative maintenance for your microwave starts with the inside of the appliance. Be sure to clean the inside of your microwave often, and wipe up spills right away. Food matter and spills can actually absorb some of the microwave's energy while it is running. This can cause burns and other damage to your microwave. Use a warm soapy rag or sponge to wipe up spills, and dry the inside of the microwave with a dry cloth or paper towel. Also, since microwaves are susceptible to damage from voltage spikes, it's a good idea to use a surge protector to help protect your microwave's circuitry.
Preventative maintenance for your dryer starts with cleaning out the lint. Lint buildup is the number one cause of dryer failures and fires. This not only is a safety hazard, but it can also reduce the efficiency of your dryer by causing the drying time to increase greatly. You can use a type of vent brush that is specifically made to remove lint buildup from the vent that leads outside. If your dryer vent is made out of white vinyl, it is a good idea to replace it with an aluminum vent because the white vinyl ducts no longer meet building codes and they also are flammable.
Preventative maintenance for your washer should begin with the hoses. Inspect your washer's fill hoses once every six months. The signs to look out for are cracks, bumps, blisters, leaks, and corroded fittings. Cracks in the hoses are a sign of aging and it means the rubber is starting to break down. Blisters and bumps can mean that the inner lining of the hose is ruptured, and the hose could burst. Corroding means that the hose used to leak or is leaking. If you don't replace the hoses you could find that the corroded fitting is almost impossible to remove from the faucet. Replace your washer hoses if they have any of the above mentioned conditions. Usually your washer's hoses should be replaced every three to five years to ensure that they don't cause a leak. You should also check to make sure your washer is level on the floor. The number one cause of washer failure and complaints is that the washer bounces around. Make sure you never overload your clothes washer, this can cause the washer to become unbalanced and also it causes unnecessary strain on your washer.
Preventative maintenance for your range starts with the knobs. If you can no longer read the lettering/numbering on the knobs it is time to replace them. Cleaning the knobs with a non-abrasive cleaner will help to keep the lettering on longer. You should clean the control panel with glass cleaner, or cleaners that are made specifically for the control panel. Make sure to never use aluminum foil to cover your drip pans, this can cause a short circuit at the burner. So just clean the drip pans with a household non-abrasive cleaner. If they cannot be cleaned, you can usually replace them for a reasonable price. Make sure to clean up spills in the oven as soon as possible, otherwise they can be stubborn to remove once they are baked onto the oven surface.
Preventative maintenance for your dishwasher starts once you notice your dishes not getting clean. This can be caused by not enough water coming into the appliance, which is caused by a broken or worn out water inlet valve. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can easily do this repair. It takes an adjustable wrench, a Phillips screwdriver, and some adjustable pliers. If you don't use your dishwasher for more than a week at a time it's a good idea to use some dishwasher cleaner and clean the inside to prevent mold and a stinky dishwasher. You can repair broken and rusty dishwasher racks by using a dishwasher repair kit which includes tine caps and special paint. Clean your dishwasher filter regularly, read your owner's manual to figure out where your filter is located and for how to remove and clean it. Replace your filter if it is damaged. Clean out the spray arms as well, the small holes in the spray arms over time can become clogged with food bits and other debris. If you notice any glass in the spray arm, there is probably glass in the pump housing too, so you should disassemble the pump to check and clean it.
Preventative maintenance for your automatic defrost refrigerator/freezer should begin with cleaning the coils. This should be done at least once every six months (or more if you have pets). The coils are underneath the refrigerator, they are usually black and look like a series of fins and tubes. You can use a brush specifically made for that job to make it easier. Next, check the door seals to ensure they are sealing properly. Loose door seals are one of the leading causes of your refrigerator running ineffectively. If you notice any tears, cracks, or bumps, you should replace your door seals. Clean out the seals every six months with warm soapy water so they don't stick to the frame. Check the back wall of the freezer for frost build up, if you do notice any buildup it is a sign that the self-defrosting system has an issue.
Following these preventative maintenance tips for appliances can help you save money in the long run. These tips will help keep your appliances run more efficiently and they will help save you the headache of hiring a repair man. If you follow these tips your appliances should have a long life.
