11 Tips for Maintaining Your Kitchen Appliances

Life & Home>Maintenance & Repair

June 19, 2018 | Read time: 2

When your refrigerator or oven breaks down, it can be a major inconvenience—not to mention expensive. Get Estimates Now​. That’s why regular maintenance is recommended for all your kitchen appliances. We’ll share some easy tips on cleaning and maintaining your appliances to help ensure they’re running at full efficiency.

Range

  • Check the seal on your oven door to ensure it’s not losing heat and causing slow or uneven cooking.
  • Recalibrate the temperature setting on your oven using the instructions in your manual.
  • Replace or clean your stovetop drip bowls by removing and presoaking them in cleaning solution for five minutes before scrubbing clean.
  • Self-clean your oven. If it does not self clean, you can use baking soda and vinegar. Remove racks and clean, apply a mixture of baking soda and water to your oven, let it sit overnight and then wipe clean. Spray with vinegar and wipe again. Replace your clean oven racks.

Don’t forget to clean your range hood and replace filters if needed!

Refrigerator

  • Clean the coils by vacuuming away dirt, dust and pet hair that can restrict airflow.
  • If you have a water and/or ice dispenser, change the filter every three to six months.
  • Keep the door gaskets clean so they don’t stick and damage the seal.
  • Rid your fridge of unsavory smells by following these steps:
    • Remove food and wipe down interior and shelves with a cleaning spray.
    • Smash charcoal bricks and spread them on a few shelves in the fridge and freezer, while filling the rest of the shelves with crumpled newspaper.
    • Close the door and allow the odors to absorb.
    • Replace with fresh newspaper and charcoal until the odor is gone.

Dishwasher

  • Remove and wipe down the racks. Remove food particles from filter and, if necessary, use a vacuum to clean the screen.
  • To remove rust on the tines of your dishwasher racks, use a tine repair kit with sealant to adhere replacement tips over the damaged areas. Allow these to dry for a full day before using the dishwasher again. If left alone, the rust could adhere to your dishes and damage them.

Microwave

  • Remove splatters and spills by filling a microwave-safe bowl with water, microwaving it until it boils and letting it sit. The steam produced will create humidity to loosen any tough spots. Once the mess is softened, wipe the microwave clean.

Are any of your kitchen appliances beyond reasonable maintenance or repair?

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*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Promotional financing options available at time of purchase may vary by location. See store for details.

1Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Promotional financing offers available at the time of purchase may vary by location. See store for details.

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