Special Series: Appliances: Part Seven: Maintenance and Repair of New Appliances

Washing machines also require routine maintenance. Odor is the main problem. Run an empty machine with bleach and hot water once a month to eliminate mildew odors. Whirlpool Corp. of Benton Harbor, Mich., recommends using Affresh washer cleaner tablets monthly to get rid of odors in its Duet series of front-loader washing machines. The tablets are more effective than bleach because they remove the residue that can form behind the washer drum. Dishwasher: Remove Soap Buildup The jets inside your dishwasher will stop working effectively over time because of soapy buildup on the motor and spouts, Gagnon says. And if you use well water, you might have another problem: unsightly brown stains on the interior of the dishwasher. The solution here is a simple one: Tang. The breakfast drink contains citric acid that can break down that soap and brown residue. Start your dishwasher and allow the unit to fill with water. Then open the door and throw in an entire canister of powdered Tang. Once the wash cycle is done, your glasses will be ready to sparkle again. Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer Outdoor Appliances: Choose Wisely The first rule here is to only use appliances outdoors that were engineered to withstand the elements. This includes rain and snow as well as blowing sand and salt air, depending on your locale. Outdoor appliances should be made with rust-resistant stainless steel. This includes not just the finish, Reda says, but also each hinge, screw and bolt. Also, in colder climates, you might want or need to move appliances indoors, so keep that in mind as you are designing your outdoor kitchen. When Repairs are Necessary Call the manufacturer if your unit is still under warranty. If the warranty has expired, how much you can do yourself depends on your skill level. Many appliances are digitized nowadays, so diagnosing and fixing a problem is not as easy as it once was. But if, for example, you know for sure a circuit board has failed, you can probably do the repair. “If you’re adept at putting a video card into your own computer, you can do that kind of replacement yourself,” Sullivan says. If the repair is beyond your skill level and your warranty has expired, it’s time to call in a professional repairperson. Ideally, you should not have to repair any new appliance during the first five years, Sullivan says. The odds of that being true increase if you properly maintain your appliances.

...Continued - Page 3 of 3 ( 1 2 3 )
< Previous Page