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How to Assistance Your Appliances Final Longer

Dollar bill stuck in a refrigerator door

Epitome: Libby Walker for HouseLogic

Do your appliances dice earlier their fourth dimension? Hither are means to proceed them humming longer.

Is it just me or does information technology seem that appliances don't last as long as they're supposed to?

Our dryer died after eleven years (two years earlier a typical dryer's lifespan is upwards), and nosotros repaired our fridge three times before it reached its 12th birthday (it's supposed to alive for xiii years).

Full disclosure: I wouldn't give myself an A in appliance care. Simply in the future, I vow to keep upwardly on regular maintenance that'll go on my new dryer running longer than my final 1.

Rob Carpenter, possessor of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Maryland, shares some insider tips about how to extend the life of home appliances.

Refrigerators That Last

Refrigerators break downwards when doors don't shut tightly, forcing motors to work overtime to proceed nutrient cold. To exam your door seal, shut the door on a dollar bill: If the beak slips, you've got a trouble that requires refrigerator maintenance.

Magnetic strips embedded in gaskets around fridge doors make doors close snugly, only they routinely wear out and should be replaced or re-magnetized every couple of years. If you're handy, re-magnetizing is a DIY task -- simply run a powerful magnet forth each side of the gasket, in the same direction, near 50 times.

If messing effectually with the refrigerator door is across your pay grade, telephone call a professional. Pros typically charge around $242 to repair door problems.

Related: How to Buy a Refrigerator

Washing Machine Endurance

Loose change banging effectually your washer drum tin cause dents, chipped paint, and rust, so make sure to empty pockets before washing clothes.

Besides, maintain your washing machine by regularly cleaning or replacing filters that trap h2o sediment before it enters your auto. Filters, which look like thimbles, are located in the back where supply hoses attach to the machine. Remove hoses and either poke out debris with a tip of a flathead screwdriver, then remove and wash the filter, or replace information technology.

Dryers That Keep on Drying

In improver to regularly cleaning out your dryer's lint trap and frazzle hose, inspect the exterior vent -- hot air must escape your house unimpeded.

Make sure the hinged exterior vent pops open when the dryer runs. If it doesn't, open the cover and scrape out lint with the stop of a hanger or dryer vent brush ($13). If your vent is louvered, make clean slats with an old toothbrush.

When my dryer recently lost its heat, we chosen a repair guy who discovered a family of sparrows living in the vent. He sucked the birds out (poor birdies), and then we covered the vent opening with a wire mesh.

Dishwasher Extenders

Here are ways to keep your dishwasher stress-complimentary and long-lasting:

Prime your dishwasher past running the hot h2o in your sink earlier you begin the bicycle. This will clean your dishes with hot water from the very kickoff of the bike.
In one case a calendar week, run your dishwasher empty except for a cup of vinegar, which volition continue it shining and smelling fresh.
Clean out food traps regularly.
Wipe make clean the seals effectually dishwasher doors.

Related: Which Homemade Dishwasher Soap Recipe is All-time?

Toaster Thoughts

Darkly toasted bread will burn down out your toaster ii years earlier than lightly toasted bread. And then if you can live with lightly crisp rather than virtually burnt, you lot'll become a few more years out of your toaster. Just saying.