Maintenance Do's and Don'ts for Your Home Appliances

Maintaining household appliances may be a bit of a chore. But it's even more annoying when machines break down before their time because you haven't maintained them at regular intervals. There are many simple tricks for this. So put on your kitchen gloves - and get going.

Dishwashers are protected by not overloading them and by roughly pre-cleaning the dishes. At least once a month, the drain strainer should be unscrewed and cleaned with hot water and a dishwashing brush. To prevent clogging of pipes, pumps and bad odors, it helps to run the machine - without dishes - with a tablespoon of washing soda at the hottest wash cycle. Works wonders.

A washing machine is also grateful for regular, preferably hot idle wash cycles with household soda: simply add a tablespoon to the powder compartment. If the laundry still remains dirty or the machine does not pump out correctly, it may be due to a clogged lint filter. Place a shallow container underneath, unscrew the access, let the residual water drain off - and be amazed at what reappears in such a sieve.

If the dryer breaks down, the cause is usually clogged air vents. Then the fine clothing abrasion must be removed from the filter. At least once a year, the vent line should also be cleaned with a flexible, long brush.

Cleaning Is Often the Most Effective Prevention of Defects and Malfunctions

For all stoves, the quicker the cooktop is wiped down if something has spilled over, the better. Food stains that are not removed can burn in and become stubborn enemies. When it comes to care, however, electric, gas, glass, ceramic and induction cooktops each have their own requirements.

Electric cooktops are soaked in regular dishwater and then wiped down with a soft sponge. Scouring powders or steel wool are prohibited: They scratch the surface. The same applies to gas stoves, with the difference that in addition the burners should be scrubbed with a brush to prevent clogging.

The glass or ceramic fields of induction stoves are particularly easy to keep clean, but they are sensitive. For them, there are special surface cleaners that are applied with a soft sponge cloth and wiped.

Let's move on to the refrigerator: Many appliances are power guzzlers because they are not defrosted regularly and impressive glaciers form in the ice compartment. So: remove food, unplug, open all doors. After an hour, the ice should have thawed enough to be disposed of. Don't scrape it off with metal objects, it could damage the refrigeration unit. Better use the time to wipe out the inside of the refrigerator, including all the inserts and seals, with warm vinegar water. After that, it will be perfectly appetizing again.