🛠️ Extend the Life of Your Appliances: Smart Tips and Must-Have Items
Your home appliances are some of the most important—and expensive—investments in your home. Whether it’s your refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, or oven, a little maintenance can go a long way. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a repair tech to help your appliances live longer and run better. Here’s a list of smart, simple tools and habits that can extend the life of your appliances and help you save on costly repairs.
1. Use Cleaning Tablets Like Affresh
Just like your car needs an oil change, your appliances need regular cleaning—even the ones that are designed to clean. Over time, residue, mold, and buildup can impact performance and even cause damage.
Washer/Dishwasher: Use Affresh cleaning tablets monthly to clean out detergent residue, mold, and hard water deposits.
Ice Makers: Affresh also makes a cleaner specifically for ice machines. Keeps your ice tasting fresh and your lines clear.
Where to find: Available on Amazon, appliance stores, or major retailers.
🧼 Pro Tip: Mark your calendar to clean your washer and dishwasher every month for optimal results.
2. Install Surge Protectors or Voltage Regulators
Power surges can silently destroy your appliances over time—or worse, cause immediate failure.
For Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, Microwaves: Use a dedicated appliance-grade surge protector. These are made to handle high energy loads.
For entire home protection: Consider a whole-home surge protector installed at the breaker box.
⚡ Pro Tip: Surge damage is often not covered under warranty. Prevention is much cheaper than replacement.
3. Replace Water Filters On Time
Your refrigerator’s water and ice system relies on clean, flowing water. A clogged filter makes the system work harder—and can lead to leaks or poor ice production.
How often? Every 6 months or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Avoid knockoffs: Use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filters to avoid compatibility and quality issues.
đźš° Pro Tip: Set a recurring calendar alert or subscribe to auto-delivery for filters.
4. Keep Vents, Coils & Lint Traps Clean
Airflow is critical for appliances to function efficiently and safely.
Dryers: Clean the lint trap after every use and have the dryer vent line professionally cleaned once a year.
Refrigerators: Vacuum the condenser coils (usually at the back or underneath) every 6–12 months.
Ranges & Microwaves: Wipe grease filters and check ventilation regularly.
🌬️ Pro Tip: Blocked airflow not only reduces efficiency—it’s a fire hazard.
5. Level and Balance Appliances
Unlevel appliances can rattle, leak, or wear out components prematurely.
Washing Machines: Use a level to ensure even footing. Off-balance machines cause noisy cycles and stress the suspension.
Refrigerators and Dishwashers: Make sure the front is slightly higher than the back for door sealing and defrost drainage.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Most appliances have adjustable feet for easy leveling.
7. Use the Right Detergents and Soaps
Some appliances are sensitive to harsh chemicals or over-sudsing.
HE Machines: Always use high-efficiency (HE) detergent—regular soap can damage the pump.
Dishwashers: Avoid overfilling the detergent dispenser. Consider dishwasher pods or gels for controlled dosing.
🧪 Pro Tip: Too much soap = buildup + repairs. Less is more.
8. Use Appliance-Specific Mats and Pads
Simple accessories can help prevent damage to the flooring or absorb vibrations.
Vibration pads: Reduce noise and movement in washers and dryers.
Drip trays: Placed under refrigerators and washing machines to catch leaks before they damage floors.
🛡️ Pro Tip: These small accessories can prevent major water damage or wear.
Final Thought:
Taking care of your appliances doesn’t require a huge time investment—just consistency, a few simple tools, and a little bit of knowledge. These habits and items can easily add years to the life of your machines, improve efficiency, and give you peace of mind.
Need Help?
If you're not sure what your appliance needs, or you're dealing with a recurring issue, give us a call at 903-951-4500. Preventive care is always cheaper than emergency repairs!
