Keep Your Household Appliances Running Longer With These Money-Saving Tips

With thousands of dollars invested into many household appliances you use almost every day, it's important to do all that you can to keep them running as long as possible.

But what exactly can you do to extend the life of your appliances? Consumer Reports shared these tips:

Refrigerator

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Try not to overstuff your refrigerator. Allowing enough space in between items will allow for better air flow throughout the appliance. This will also save on your energy costs.

Avoid letting any cold air escape by ensuring the door closes. You can check this by sticking a piece of paper in the door as you close it. If the paper comes out when you pull on it, you might need to replace the gasket.

Your refrigerator can easily overheat if the coils underneath it are dusty. Prevent this by brushing and vacuuming the coils at least once each year.

Dishwasher

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You can keep your dishwasher running longer by regularly cleaning the gasket and removing food from the filter. This will allow the water to reach all the dishes more easily so that the appliance doesn't have to work harder, thus extending its lifespan.

"Much of the energy used by your dishwasher goes toward heating the water. So before you do a load, run the water at the sink until it gets hot. That saves the dishwasher work, and it'll last longer," Consumer Reports editor Celia Lehrman said.

Stove and Oven Range

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You can keep your kitchen range in tip-top shape by keeping the burner ports clear of any debris or dust. Just use a paper clip or pipe cleaner to poke through and remove anything that shouldn't be there.

Just make sure the appliance is off before you start cleaning it!

Washer and Dryer

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Putting half your wardrobe inside the washer all at once might be one way to finish your laundry quickly, but it's also a sure way to ruin the motor and transmission, among other parts, which could result in you having to fork over money for a new machine.

Clean your dryer's lint filter before each use to help ensure that not only your clothes get dry in the first go-around but also to avoid spending hundreds or even thousands more on a new machine too soon. You can also use auto-dry to save on energy costs while also making your clothes last longer.

In addition, make sure you're cleaning the vent at least once a year to reduce the risk of a fire.

(H/T: Consumer Reports)

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