(DailyChive.com) – Having appliances working perfectly all the time is the dream of every homeowner. But did you know how long your home appliances last and how efficiently they run has a lot to do with how you use them daily?
While appliances will eventually wear out or break, some of your day-to-day habits may be pushing them toward an early demise. So, what should you not do to ensure your house appliances last longer?
Here are ten practices you should avoid.
1. Installing Appliances Yourself
While you may be an avid DIYer, installing electrical appliances should be done by a professional. Self-installation is not always good in some situations. Some appliances, like clothes dryers, have complex installation processes that require professionals with proper knowledge, skills, and tools to install them safely.
2. Ignoring Air Filters
Air filters are found in many house and office appliances and are essential for removing dust, germs, and other intrusive particles in the air. As a result, dirty air filters are problematic for any appliance. Not only do they block airflow, but they also make the machine work harder. Cleaning and changing filters improves your home appliances’ performance and lowers their energy consumption.
3. Using Too Much Detergent in Your Washing Machine
More soap equals cleaner clothes, right? No. Too much detergent is bad for both your clothes and washing machine. It causes wear and tear on the washing machine’s pump and motor. Your machine will also need to run longer to rinse the clothes resulting in higher energy consumption.
4. Disregarding Manufacturer’s Instructions
All appliances come with detailed setup, use, and maintenance instructions. Unfortunately, most people ignore these user manuals. User manuals explain an appliance’s features, capabilities and how to use it optimally and safely. You’ll also learn how to maintain the appliance and how to troubleshoot common issues.
5. Leaving Lint in the Dryer
Many dryer fires are caused by failure to clean the lint in your dryer’s filter. The excess lint builds up in the filter, restricting airflow, the dryer overheats, and the lint ignites. To avoid such fire hazards, clean your dryer’s vent pipe at least once a year.
6. Overloading the Dishwasher and Washing Machine
Overloading your dishwasher can damage its internal components. The excess weight may break the spray arms or bend the racks. Too much weight can also throw a washing machine off balance damaging it.
7. Using Dirty Appliances
You should clean your home appliances frequently. Dirty house appliances collect dust and debris that affects their functionality in the long term. Cleaning cooking appliances, for example, ensures you remove any food particles and oil residue that stick after every use.
8. Neglecting Maintenance Checks
Regular maintenance checks are essential for all house appliances. Although homeowners prefer to repair their items when they break down, being proactive and scheduling maintenance checks ensure you won’t have to replace your appliance or incur higher costs to fix when it breaks down.
9. Cleaning Appliances With the Wrong Products
Cleaning your house appliances with the right products ensures they are more efficient and last longer. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly clean your appliance and what to use. This way, you can avoid health complications or possible corrosion.
10. Overstocking Your Fridge
Your fridge needs proper airflow to circulate the cold air that preserves your food. Overstocking blocks the vents and hampers the airflow needed. The fridge then works harder to maintain the desired temperatures, and this hurts its cooling mechanism.
Final Thoughts
House appliances don’t last as long as they should, thanks to poor daily use habits by many homeowners. These actions cause short and long-term harm to your appliances. Luckily, there’s an easy remedy for that—using and maintaining your appliances as recommended by the manufacturer.
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