Appliances are an expensive thing to repair and replace. Most people want to do whatever it takes to maintain them and get the most life out of them. When you notice appliances dying too young, you should consider working on some tuning and maintenance tips to keep them humming longer. From refrigerators to dishwashers, here is a look at how to keep your most used and expensive appliances in great working condition.

Dishwasher

How do you keep the dishwasher running long? It’s something you use almost every day and it seems to keep clean since it always has water and dish detergent running through it. Did you know you should also be checking the food traps regularly and wiping the seal clean around the doors?

You can also prime your appliance by running hot water in the sink before starting the cycle which allow your dishes to be cleaned with hot water from the start of the cycle. Run the dishwasher empty weekly with a cup of vinegar to keep it smelling fresh.

Refrigerator

If the door isn’t closing tightly, your refrigerator’s motors will work overtime to keep things cold. Try closing it on a dollar bill and if it slips, you don’t have a tight close. Replace magnetic strips in gaskets every couple of years to help re-magnetize.

Washer & Dryer

For your washing machine, you may have had loose change banging around which caused dents, rust and chipped paint. Empty your pockets before washing and maintain it by cleaning or replacing filters. Your dyer needs the lint trap cleaned, the exhaust host cleaned and you should also inspect the exterior vent. If the hinged exterior vent doesn’t pop open when the dryer is going, open the cover to scrape out the lint with a hanger or dryer brush.

Use these tips to maintain those expensive appliances and keep them working in their best condition to clean, dry and keep things cold.