Appliances play a significant role in the home by making everyday life activities a lot easier.  When you fail to maintain these appliances, chances are you’ll always be on your way to the appliance store searching for a replacement. This could be a very impractical and expensive way of improving your home.  So how do you keep your appliances at top form to give you longer service?  The key is maintenance.  

Maintenance doesn’t just mean cleaning, but it also means repairing and restoring if need be.  With a busy life, it is always easy for the usual appliance maintenance to get ignored and forgotten.  So the solution is always finding the time to do regular appliance maintenance that will prevent them from breaking down.  

Cleaning appliances
A good way of keeping the household in top form, particularly the appliances, is regular cleaning.  Most frequently used appliances in the home are mostly the ones overlooked when it comes to cleaning, and this may eventually cause it to break down.  

Begin by cleaning the washing machine.  Clean the area under the lid first by using a damp cloth.  If the bleach-dispenser cup is removable, remove it and clean.  Clean the washing machine’s molded area using a toothbrush.  The dryer’s filter should always be clean before using it.  Full dryer filters causes longer drying of clothes and uses more energy.  

The coils on the refrigerator must also be clean to conserve energy.  Older models have coils in the back, while newer models have the coils underneath it.  Clean the refrigerator’s exterior using water and mild solution of ammonia.  Applying “furniture polish” on its surface can slow down dust build-up.  

The stove’s exterior must be cleaned with soap and water. The interior of the oven can be cleaned suing an oven cleaner.  

The screen of a television can generate lots of static electricity, attracting dust.  Reduce the static on the TV screen through wiping the screen with fabric softener sheet.  The computer keyboard can be kept in good working condition through cleaning it with “canned air”.  Canned air is also good for cleaning up stereo components and electronic appliances.

Removing stains on wood appliances
If wood furniture has not been sealed properly, it’ll easily get stained.  Luckily, there is a way of removing various types of wood stains with “chlorine bleach”.  Begin by bleaching the furniture’s top area –this removes the finish and most stains.  White “water marks” caused by the moisture that’s trapped in its finish will easily come off.  Tape plastic on areas that you do not want the bleach to reach.  

Bleaching furniture during warm days and under direct sunlight will have faster results.  If the furniture can’t be taken outdoors, a heat lamp for warm the wood for ten minutes can be used before starting, as well as throughout bleaching.  Use “full-strength” bleach, as well as ensure that you wear latex gloves and safety glasses.  

Leave the bleach for fifteen minutes, and once the stain is removed, allow it to dry.  Mix rinsing solution of equal parts vinegar and water, and rinse.  Ensure that the bleach is rinsed properly and neutralized, as the new finish will not stick properly.  Allow it to dry first, before sanding and refinishing it.

Refacing and Repainting
Refacing and repainting are two great options of improving appliances in the home.  They’re also among the great value ways of home improvement, which significantly brings back the luster of old appliances.  Several dishwashers and refrigerators can be refaced by replacing face panels that don’t necessarily have to cost much.  Repainting an antique or high-end appliance is an excellent alternative to rejuvenate the appliance’s sheen.  

Home improvement doesn’t always mean spending for renovations or buying new appliances.  Sometimes, it can simply mean maintaining the one that you have, so it gives you longer service and improves your quality of life.