Spring Cleaning for Household Appliances

Mar 7, 2011
Kelly Smith

Installing a dishwasher to save money can take some time - Kelly Smith

Snow melts, birds chirp, flowers bloom; spring is here! It's time for spring cleaning. But it's more than closet cleaning. Don't neglect your appliances.

In these days of Energy Star appliances and circuit boards, your household devices are also more expensive than ever and that's a good reason for seasonal cleaning and maintenance. Here are a few items to round out your checklist.

Central air conditioners

It's only logical that this is the best time of year to follow some annual air conditioner money-saving tips. Basically, this involves a clean-up and maintenance tune-up. Although you'll have to call a licensed HVAC service person for certain tasks like adding or recovering refrigerant, there are certainly many money-saving tasks a homeowner can tackle, things like inspecting and replacing flex duct, and to clean, troubleshoot, and fix a thermostat.

Electric ranges

These can be fairly complicated with all the electronics, but troubleshooting an electric range can be done with some basic tools and knowledge. A good cleaning is also important since grease is flammable. This can be more of an issue with open-element models vs flat-top model ranges.

Gas ranges

These are much simpler technically than their electric cousins, but a comprehensive cleaning and an inspection of all the gas fittings are important steps.

Clothes dryers

Dryers also come in electric and gas models. The primary concern with both is lint accumulation. The lint filter should be cleaned following each load (or before the next one). Another thing to check is the hot air vent tube. It should be clear with no obstructions. If you are replacing a vent tube, metal ones are preferable to plastic ones because of static electricity build-up issues, and recall that lint is flammable.

Refrigerators

These are relatively problem free, but the coils behind and/or underneath the unit should be vacuumed. Proper air circulation is the goal. Also, inspect the door seals. The freezer will be more energy-efficient the fuller it is, if only with milk jugs filled with frozen water.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers have made big strides in efficiency and noise control over the past few years. Obviously, keeping the water inside is important so be sure to clean and inspect those door seals. Need a new one? DIY dishwasher removal and installation is a doable job for the handy homeowner but it can be time-consuming.

Clothes washers

An important thing to check here is the water supply hoses. They should be neither brittle or cracked. It's a good idea to take the time to clean the washer tub. This is easily done by running a full load with no clothes. Use hot water, 2 cups of vinegar, and 2 fluid ounces of orange oil. You can find orange oil at nurseries that sell organic gardening supplies.

These are just a few items to keep your appliances running smoothly and efficiently. Protect your investments to save money and headaches in the long run.