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When it comes to some kitchen appliances, many people can be guilty of not doing much to look after them after they have been set up in their kitchens.

Maybe they will get wiped down every now and then, but apart from that, many people will leave them to do their job.

They are some of the most used items in your home, so taking the time to care for them can help to extend their life, and keep them working properly. You could even get your children involved with some of the simpler cleaning tasks.

Making sure that you do things regularly to take care of your appliances is also important. If you leave dirt and grime to build up, it will be harder to clean, so it will take a lot more work. But cleaning and performing maintenance will prevent this build-up from occurring. Below are some ways that you can look after your kitchen appliances so that they will work well for longer:

Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one appliance that you probably maintain the least. Once you set it up, it is easy to use it without thinking about what you could do to care for it.

Like other things, your fridge needs to be cleaned regularly. It is where you store fresh and open food, so it is likely that there will be spillages and crumbs that can build up over time. It can start to smell bad, and become a place where you don’t really want to look.

To keep on top of it, clean up spillages as soon as they happen, and try to give your whole fridge a wipe down once a week. This can be done before a big shop when there isn’t as much in the refrigerator.

The door seal is also something you need to look after because you don’t want it to wear out.

Clean it regularly with a cloth and warm, soapy water. To make it last longer, you can also use a thin layer of petroleum jelly or baby oil to protect it from cracking.

Don’t forget to clean the outside of your fridge every now and then as well. It can get covered in fingerprints and start to look grubby. Also, make sure that your fridge is set to the correct temperature and try not to overload it.

Freezer

Over time, you can get a build-up of ice in your freezer. This can be dealt with by taking the time to defrost your freezer. If possible, the best way to defrost your freezer is to turn it off, leave the door open and wait for the ice to melt.

This can be done if you have a spare freezer or a cool bag to put your food in. If you need to defrost it a bit faster, you could use a hairdryer or try to scrape the ice away.

If you do this, you need to be careful and take precautions, as you could damage the freezer if you don’t.

Like your refrigerator, it is important to clean and look after the door seal so that it will close properly. Dirt can stop your door from closing properly and can lead to the premature deterioration of your seal.

Both freezers and fridges also have compressor coils at the back or bottom of the appliance. This is one of the parts which helps to keep them cool.

So that it doesn’t get blocked, you should try to remember to hoover any dirt from it or use a coil cleaning brush around twice a year.

Washing machines and dishwashers

Both washing machines and dishwashers rely on water to do their jobs. This is why it is essential to check what type of water you have in your area. If you have hard water, it can do a lot of damage to your washing machine and dishwasher, meaning that you have to replace them sooner.

To help combat this, you should look for the best water softener for the type of water that you have. Using a water softener will help to prevent the build-up of minerals in pipes and appliances that can cause problems after prolonged use.

Even though washing machines clean your clothing and dishwashers clean your dishes, they still need to be cleaned themselves. Running them while they are empty with the right cleaners will ensure that the appliance stays in excellent condition.

When you are putting a load of washing into the washing machine, it is important that you do not overload it. You may do it to save time, but it will put strain on some of the moving parts and, after a while, may damage them.

When you are loading the dishwasher, you need to make sure that everything is placed correctly and securely so that nothing catches on the spray arms and damages them.

Microwaves

For your microwave to stay in excellent condition, make sure that you never put metal in it, not even foil on the top of the food.

This is a safety measure that has to be followed for all microwaves. You should also make sure that the top or back of the microwave isn’t covered when it is on. Your microwave instructions will tell you more about how to use your microwave safely. If you follow these, it should last you a long time.

To stop food from splashing all over the inside of the microwave, it may be a good idea to get a cover that you can put over your food.

They are made especially for microwaves and can help your food to cook better. If some food does splat on the inside, it is a good idea to clean it up straight away so that it doesn’t become a stubborn stain.

A good way to clean a microwave is to squeeze some lemon slices into a cup of water and then put the cup and the rest of the lemon slices in the microwave. Turn the microwave on until the water starts boiling, then turn it off and let it cool down for a few minutes. Once that is done, you can take out the cup and wipe down the inside with a sponge or cloth. Not only will it help to clean it, but it will also leave it smelling fresh.

Ovens

As soon as there is a spill on or in your oven, try to clean it up. If you have a gas oven and food gets into the burners, it may prevent them from coming on. If this happens, you can try to clean the food off using a toothbrush, as it will be able to get into smaller places. Even if you have electric hobs, you should clean up any spills because if left, it will get more and more burnt and harder to remove.

For the inside of the oven, you can purchase an oven cleaner that will help to remove all the stubborn dirt and grease that has been building up on the inside.

Follow the instructions, and then you will be able to scrub your oven until it looks beautiful and clean again.

Dryers

To get a long life out of your dryer, you need to keep on top of cleaning it. A dryer filter needs to be cleaned after every use to get rid of the build-up of fluff and dust that comes off your clothes as they are drying. If you do not clean it, the debris will start to block the airflow, and stop the dryer from working correctly.

If you have a condenser dryer, you also need to make sure that you empty the water after every use, so that when you are drying a new load, the water has somewhere to go.

Kettles

Although kettles are relatively inexpensive to replace compared to the appliances above, you should still look after them so that they last a long time, especially because it is straightforward to do. It is safe to clean the inside of your kettle with soap and water, as long as it is unplugged, and you do not submerge it into water.

If you live somewhere where there is hard water, your kettle may start to get a build-up of minerals or limescale that prevents your water from being boiled properly.

If this is the case, you can use a limescale remover to get rid of the build-up and extend the life of your kettle.

Doing your best to maintain and care for your appliances will keep them in great condition for longer. It will prevent you from having to spend your money on new appliances prematurely and will keep them working efficiently.

Even if some repairs are necessary, you may be able to get them completed by a professional for a lot less than the price of a new appliance.

Even if you only improve how you look after a few of your appliances, it will expand their lifespan and save you some money in the long run. – momdoesreviews.com