July 24, 2008
Keeping Appliances Clean
PLUG IT IN, watch it work. That's pretty much how we treat our appliances.
We figure they'll last 15 to 20 years virtually maintenance-free. You don't expect this kind of performance from your automobile, so why should you expect it from your refrigerator or clothes dryer?
If your fridge doesn't seem to keep things as cold as it used to or your dryer is taking longer to extract moisture from a load of clothes, a little self-maintenance might be in order. A few minutes and a few dollars might be all you need to restore your appliance to like-new condition.
First, you should review your owner's manual for maintenance schedules. While it's true most appliances need minimal care, there are some things homeowners should do regularly.
If you can't find your manual or are unsure about what to do, when to do it, even how to do it, most appliance manufacturers provide customer service departments with toll-free numbers.
One regular task should be cleaning the gasket or seal on refrigerator and freezer doors. This part keeps cold air in and warm air out, and should be cleaned once a month (a solution of one teaspoon of baking soda in a quart of warm water works well).
When cleaning the gasket, gently lift the inside edge away from the door. Grime and spills collect here, especially at the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer doors.
It's not uncommon for the gasket itself to dry out and break down. If your doors don't seal properly, you might have to replace the gasket. Here's an old trick for testing the gasket: Close the door over a crisp dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out of the door easily, the gasket is worn and needs replacing.
Order the new gasket (from about $ 50 in most cases) from the manufacturer, and request installation instructions. Replacing the gasket is a matter of unscrewing retainer screws on the existing gasket and slipping the new one into place. It's a snap and it can extend the life of your refrigerator.
Keeping the coils on refrigerators clean also will extend the lifespan of a refrigerator or freezer. Coils should be cleaned about twice a year (more often if you have a pet that sheds). These coils, which collect dust and grime much like the air filters in heating units, are on the exterior back wall of smaller units. On larger units, the coils are behind the removable grill on the lower front end, usually below the door. This grill snaps off and the coils can be brushed clean with a coil brush (available from about $ 5 at home centers and appliance stores). To eliminate the risk of electrical shock, pull the plug on the unit before cleaning the coils.
If you can't find a coil brush, make your own with a couple of old athletic socks and a dowel rod that's about 36 to 42 inches long. Slip the socks over one end of the dowel rod, twisting to make them snug. Use a couple of strips of masking tape or duct tape to secure the socks to the dowel rod. Then slip the sock-covered portion between the coils, sweeping the dust from the coils.
While you're cleaning the coils, pull your refrigerator away from the wall and clean and vacuum these areas. When you're finished, return the refrigerator to its regular position. Remember, the fridge should also have at least two inches clearance from walls and cabinets.
It's a great advantage to have a shop-type vacuum when cleaning the coils; you'll be surprised how much dust accumulates. A shop-vac also is great to use on cleaning the dryer exhaust vent and pipe. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the dust and lint from this area once a year, but we do it every six months. Pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the flexible exhaust pipe. This connection is usually at the bottom of the back wall of the dryer. On electric dryers, pull the plug from the outlet. On gas dryers, turn the supply valve off. Then simply vacuum inside the exhaust pipe and the exhaust vent on the dryer. A damp rag can be used, too.
Before reattaching the flexible pipe, inspect it for holes, rips or tears. If there are leaks or if the pipe is the soft plastic kind, replace it with a flexible aluminum-type vent. The plastic vents are prone to overheating and are a fire hazard.
Another area to inspect is the seal on the dryer door. Run the dryer and drag a tissue paper or thin piece of paper around the edge of the door. If the tissue or paper is pulled toward the door, the seal probably needs replacing.
Again, order it from the manufacturer and request installation instructions. It's not too difficult a replacement, although an adhesive likely will be needed. Request this from the manufacturer, too.
The lint filter, the screen-type gadget that catches the lint from clothes, should be cleaned after every cycle. But you also should wash the filter once a month with soap and water.
Here's a checklist for routine maintenance on some other larger appliances. Remember to check your owner's manual for specific maintenance guidelines.
Clothes washer: rubber supply hoses should be changed every 4 to 5 years. When replacing them, use steel-ribbed hoses, which resist bursting. Check the clamps on the drainage hose. Pinch-type clamps have a tendency to slip, so reattach or replace if needed.
Dishwasher: Clean the spray arm. It lifts out easily. A thin piece of wire or even toothpicks can be used to poke out grime and soap buildup in the holes on the spray arm. Dissolve mineral deposits by running the wash cycle with one cup of vinegar in a container on the top rack and another on the bottom rack.
Oven: Wipe up spills once the oven cools. Avoid using abrasive cleaners. To clean racks, soak them in hot, soapy water for a couple of hours, then use a nylon-type scrubber. The grease will come off easily.
The door gasket on an oven should be soft and pliable. If it's hard, it probably should be replaced. Consult your owner's manual for this job, because it's not as easy as replacing the gasket on a refrigerator or dryer.
Finally, clean the exterior of your appliances often. Soap and water work fine, and a little polish made specifically for appliances works wonders.
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
