You rely on your fridge, dishwasher, oven, and laundry to work, and work well when you need them. The last thing you want is for them to fail, or cost you a ton of money to repair or replace. Here are five simple tips from US News Money to keep those appliances in good, working order for the long haul.


Some of these assume you have at least a semi-practiced hand at household DIY, but most of them are simple maintenance techniques anyone can do. Here’s a quick rundown of a much longer and more detailed list over at US News Money, assembled with the help of Chris Granger, the Chicago-based vice president and general manager of Sears Home Services, linked below:

Fridge : Clean your refrigerator coils regularly

: Oven and Range : Be careful how you clean your oven and range, and what you use to clean it. Overly harsh chemical cleaners can clog range burners, especially gas ones, and spraying directly onto control knobs on the front of your oven or stove can get liquid in the electrical components behind those knobs, leading to a short and an expensive repair. Always use soft cloths, light cleaners, and if you need to use something harsh, apply it to the cloth before the surface.

: Be careful how you clean your oven and range, and what you use to clean it. Overly harsh chemical cleaners can clog range burners, especially gas ones, and spraying directly onto control knobs on the front of your oven or stove can get liquid in the electrical components behind those knobs, leading to a short and an expensive repair. Always use soft cloths, light cleaners, and if you need to use something harsh, apply it to the cloth before the surface. Dishwasher : Don’t pre-wash your dishes so much. This is a hot topic

: Don’t pre-wash your dishes so much. This is Washer : Don’t overload your washing machine. Every washer warns you not to stuff too many clothes into it, and for good reason. Overloading your washer adds wear and tear to the motor and can cause damage and leaks. It’s all around bad news, and leads to expensive repairs or replacements.

: Don’t overload your washing machine. Every washer warns you not to stuff too many clothes into it, and for good reason. Overloading your washer adds wear and tear to the motor and can cause damage and leaks. It’s all around bad news, and leads to expensive repairs or replacements. Dryer: You probably already know to clean the lint trap, but make sure you also give it a deep clean in the ducts or around the exit vents clean that moisture sensor while you’re at it


There’s more in the full piece, including some quotes from Granger and the kinds of maintenance requests that he and his team see on a regular basis. Bottom line, some good preventative maintenance will keep your most often-used , and expensive, household appliances happy for a long time, whether you own them outright or you’re renting them from a landlord.

How to Extend the Life of 5 Major Appliances | US News Money