4 Ways To Help Your Appliances Last Longer

Quality appliances are a major investment in your home - and if you were lucky enough to have the appliances convey when you bought your last home, you definitely want to avoid the cost of replacement for as long as you can! Here are four ways you can protect your appliances from excessive wear and tear, and stretch their lifespan as long as possible:

1. Make sure the seals actually seal. One of the biggest reasons refrigerators break down is because the doors aren't closing properly, causing the motor to work too hard. The magnetic strips in the gaskets around the doors wear out after a few years, but fortunately, replacing and re-magnetizing them can be a simple DIY fix.

2. Keep the drum clean. Always empty your pockets before loading your washing machine to prevent the drum from rusting or getting nicked. Also, be sure to clean or swap out the thimble-shaped filter in the machine that traps water sediment.

3. Inspect the vents. Cleaning out the lint trap on your dryer should be a routine task after every load of laundry, but go one step further by inspecting the exterior vent to ensure it pops open, and scraping off the debris with an old toothbrush.

4. Clean the dishwasher. Once a week, run an empty dishwasher cycle with nothing but a cup of white vinegar to keep odors at bay. Also, wipe down the seals and clear the food trap often.