8 Simple Tips for Home Appliance Maintenance
It’s so exciting getting a brand new rental appliance! It’s all shiny and new and hopefully a massive upgrade from what you had before. But sooner or later (hopefully later!) the shine starts to wear off if you don’t regularly clean and maintain the appliance.
Whether your rental item is a fridge, washing machine, air conditioner, or even a toaster, it needs regular upkeep to work to its full potential and give you value for money.
While some wear and tear may be covered by manufacturer’s warranty, if you want your appliances to last as long as possible it is important to do your part.
Here are some tips and tricks that you can do yourself to help look after and prolong the lifespan of your appliances.
1. Steam clean your microwave
If you’re like me then your microwave is probably one of your most used appliances so it really needs some serious TLC every now and then. Whenever something spills or splatters wipe it down straight away – it will be a harder job once it dries!
To deep clean: Place water and lemon slices in a bowl (make sure the bowl is microwave safe) and let it heat up in your microwave. The vapor that this creates will make the wipe down process much easier.
2. Check the hoses on your washing machine
Hoses can rot over time. Be one step ahead and prevent any leaks or flooding in your laundry by regularly checking your washing machine hose for any cracks or weak spots. This is especially important if your laundry is on the second floor because if you get a leak it could some serious water damage.
It’s also recommended to completely replace the hose every 5 years. You should also check the hose on your dryer while you’re at it.
3. Clean your dryer filter
If your dryer isn’t working as efficiently as it used to or isn’t drying your clothes in one cycle anymore, it may be due to excess lint build up in the filter. You can take the filter out and use a stiff brush with some detergent and hot water to get it good as new. You’ll notice the difference immediately!
4. Clean the rubber sealing around your fridge
Fridges and freezers can have a lifespan of over 10 years if they are well cared for. Every once in a while, get a brush with some soap and water and scrub off any food or debris from the rubber sealing. Then dry with a towel.
This will help the sealing stay intact for longer and help to give your fridge (and the food inside!) the longest life possible.
5. Rinse your dishwasher to keep it smelling fresh
If your dishwasher tends to smell a bit funky, this is a great tip. Once a week put a cup of undiluted vinegar in your dishwasher and put it through a rinse. Just make sure you don’t have any other dishes inside when you do this.
6. Clean your air conditioner filter
Just like your dryer or fridge, your air conditioner can’t function as it should with a blocked filter. It is recommended to clean the filters every two to four weeks for optimum airflow if you’re a heavy user, and a few times a year minimum if you’re a light user.
This will help the air conditioner perform more efficiently and to save you on energy costs. If you’re unsure about how to clean the filter on your particular unit, check the instruction manual.
7. Empty the crumb tray in your toaster
Maintaining even small appliances is important. Surprisingly some people aren’t even aware that toasters have a crumb tray! It should easily slide out of the bottom of the appliance.
Try to remember to empty this once per week, or even more often if you use your toaster frequently. If you allow excess crumbs to build up it can become a real fire hazard.
Tip your toaster upside down and shake it out over the sink as well. And make sure you always unplug the toaster before you clean it out!!
8. Clean any spills off your stove
If you don’t clean up spills as they’re made they will harden and excess buildup can even stop your burners from turning on. Fixing this is simple! Clean up any spills soon after they happen, and if there’s any residue grab a toothbrush to get the rest off from around the ignitor.
Once you start maintaining your household appliances regularly you will be amazed at the difference in how well things work and how long they last. Of course, things can still go wrong that are out of your control. That’s why all our brand new items come with manufacturer’s warranty to keep you covered!
Karina Wolfin
Senior Manager
At Direct Appliance Rentals we have the latest brand new appliances rentals, including computers, TV's, furniture, gaming consoles and much more....
We offer a 12 or 24 month rental program and payments are made via direct debit from your nominated account, on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Payments can also be made using Centrepay – the easy way to pay your bills and expenses.
Our vision is to help people move forward in their lives no matter what their previous circumstances might be. We are dedicated to providing excellent service that is friendly and reliable.