10 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Appliances

According to Home Advisor, the national average for fixing an appliance is $171. Homeowners reported typically spending between $104 to $208 per repair, to as much as $350, with hourly rates running between $100 and $200. Small appliance repairs generally take under an hour.

The general consensus is that with maintenance, you can avoid many costly repairs. Since many people list saving money as a New Year’s resolution, here are some resolutions for your appliances that are worth considering:

1. Dust the Condenser Coils on Your Refrigerator

Cleaning the condenser coils should be at or near the top of your list. Accumulated dust can make them inefficient and reduce the life of your fridge. The appliance can even overheat. The coils can be reached at the bottom or back of the unit, so you can easily remove dust, hair, and grime.

2. Wipe Down the Gaskets on Your Dishwasher

The door gaskets can easily fill with food particles and other contaminants. This can loosen the door seal, which can ultimately lead to the need for dishwasher replacement. Cleaning the gaskets is simple; just wipe them down with a damp cloth.

3. Clean Out Your Refrigerator

While you should clean your refrigerator daily and weekly, a deep clean can boost efficiency and ensure food stays cool. It involves removing everything (putting perishables in a cooler with ice), tossing past-due condiments and old leftovers, and soaking the drawers in warm water and a soap/cleaning solution. After rinsing, wipe everything down with a cloth.

4. Clean Your Microwave

Splattered food contents look gross and can cause sparks and appliance damage. A quick method is to heat a bowl of water mixed with dishwashing liquid on high (for 1 minute). Then use a paper towel or sponge to wipe down the inside.

5. Use the Self-Cleaning Oven Feature

Most people don’t clean their ovens very often. If left in place over time, baked-on food can cause a fire, but the self-cleaning feature resolves this; if your oven doesn’t have one, use a cleaning solution and some elbow grease.

6. Change the Water Filter in Your Refrigerator

A clogged filter eliminates any benefits of having a filter. You might notice low water pressure or strange-smelling ice. The refrigerator manufacturer may be able to send you the right filter so there’s no guessing about the best filter to replace the old one with.

7. Auto-Defrost Your Freezer

To defrost a freezer, remove the food, unplug the fridge, and allow it to thaw out. However, most freezers defrost automatically to melt accumulated ice, eliminating the inconvenience.

8. Use Rinse-Aid in Your Dishwasher

Using enough rinse aid (at least 3 mL), helps clean dishes by allowing food particles to slide off. It also reduces water spots. To maximize effectiveness, set your rinse aid dispenser to the highest level.

9. Clean Out Your Dishwasher Filter 

Although not the most pleasant activity, cleaning your dishwasher filter should be on your appliance New Year’s resolutions checklist. The filter must be clean for the unit to continue getting dishes clean. After all, all the dirt and grime must go somewhere, so it’s up to you to fix that!

10. Save Energy! 

This checklist can help your appliances work more efficiently and save on your home energy bill. Another way to save energy is to purchase efficient appliances from Sub-Zero, Cove, and Wolf that feature the latest technologies to maximize convenience at home. At Wilshire Refrigeration & Appliance, Inc., we can help you choose the right one for your household, so call us today at 800-222-7820 for assistance. Also, feel free to view our refrigerator and freezer cleaning and maintenance tips online.