Tips and trick
for maintenance of appliances

1. 1. Be sure to plug your refrigerator directly into a wall outlet. Plugging large appliances into an extension cord is usually a bad idea, but if you have to, make sure to use a heavy-duty extension cord, rated for the higher amperage your unit will be pulling. It is also vital to make sure that your appliance is grounded, whether plugged into the wall or an extension cord, (the ground post is the long rounded peg on the plug, that goes into the round hole on the bottom of each outlet port). Your owner’s manual will outline any other considerations you’ll need to be aware of.
   2. Refrigerators should be installed well away from heat sources, like ovens, ranges, stoves, and radiators. Even windows in direct sunlight can affect how efficiently your fridge operates. Make sure the airflow going to the compressor isn’t blocked, restricted or heated; even setting a refrigerator on top of carpeting can cause trouble, if the condenser is located at the bottom of the unit. The air going to the condenser coils needs to cool and clean, it can’t be if any of the above are impeding the flow of cool air.
   3. When leaving for an extended length of time (several weeks – months)it is recommended that you
      • Remove everything from the unit
      • Clean the unit
      • Turn the unit off
      • Unplug the unit
      • Prop the door or leave it slightly ajar
   4. Don’t overfill your refrigerator or freezer. Circulation is important inside your unit in order to keep everything at a consistent temperature. Poor circulation can lead to spoilage in both refrigerators and freezers, causing freezing or freezer burn in some parts of the unit and thawing and spoiling in other parts. Again, this can happen in both refrigerators and freezers.
   5. Keep all food covered or wrapped before placing it in the fridge. This will prevent the food drying out, spreading odor throughout the fridge and spoiling.

1. 1. Keep your refrigerator and freezer clean inside, as well as out. The best way to keep your unit clean is by periodically removing all food, then all shelves and all drawers. Use a mild detergent, or baking soda dissolved in water, to wash the internal walls, door, and floor. This should be done with a soft cloth and the detergent/ solution, then wiped out with a damp cloth to remove any excess soap or soda residue. The shelves and drawers can be cleaned the same way, in a sink or tub. Be careful with glass shelves, if they are placed in hot water while cold, they may crack.
   2. Keep condenser coils clean. These coils are usually located under or behind the unit. Clean the coils gently, there are specially designed brushes for removing built up dust on condenser coils. Leaving dust on the coils can cause overheating.
   3. Door gaskets are used to seal doors shut while closed. Gaskets need to be cleaned regularly, in order to maintain the proper temperature and run efficiently. Gaskets can be cleaned with a mild detergent and cloth, followed by a damp cloth to remove soap residue.
   4. Keep the area around refrigerators clean and free of debris. Make sure there are no blockages that could prevent proper airflow to the unit’s condenser coils.

Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around the ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program.

Read the appliance instruction manual to make sure you use the correct type and amount of detergent for your machine. Too much soap can leave residue on your clothes and cause excess wear and tear on your washer, and high-efficiency washers require a special, low-sudsing detergent.

Yes, you need to wash the washer. This will help keep it clean and smelling fresh.Every 2 months or so, run an empty load of hot water with 2 cups of white vinegar. In the middle of the wash cycle, add ½ cup of detergent. Let the full cycle complete.

Use the appropriate amount of water for the size of the load.Oversize loads can damage your washer, so break up your laundry into smaller loads.

Doing this once a month will help ensure the washer won’t give off odors that can seep into your laundry. TIP! Use equal parts water and vinegar to clean the gasket.

Ever notice a smell when you open your washer to start a load? This can help with that.

A washing machine that’s off kilter can vibrate, rock or walk across the floor during the spin cycle, which can damage the floor or the machine. Balance the washer by turning the legs.

If your dishwasher has a filter, remove it and clean off any food or grime. Food can become trapped in the filter and impair cleaning.

Dishwashers have seals around the door rim to prevent the machine from leaking while running. Wipe down the rubber seals and the door with a damp cloth to prevent soil and grime from building up.

Wipe down the spray arm with a damp towel. We recommend removing the spray arm to clear any blockages with a toothpick every six months. Refer to your owner’s manual for detailed instructions on how to remove and clean your spray arm.

Cleaning your dishwasher once a month helps prevent a build of germs and maintains your machine’s efficiency.

Running your dishwasher at least once every 2 weeks keeps the motor seals working properly. Remember, even small loads can save water with your dishwasher.

Unplug your oven if you’ll be cleaning it by hand with a wet cloth. You can also switch off the circuit breaker if the plug is too tricky to reach.

If the oven is full of grease, oil and crumbs, it will take much longer to heat. Clean the oven by removing spills and drips as soon as possible after each use because they will smoke and may catch on fire.

Take a box of baking soda and mix it with water to make a paste. Then, spread the paste inside of your oven and let it set at least 6 hours. Get a sponge, damp it and scrub. Also, you can place a bowl of water in the oven for 20 minutes and heat on a high power to remove dirt and grease easier.

Do not remove burner knobs to clean beneath them because you are essentially moistening an electrical system, which could cause it to short circuit or electrocute you.

Keep clean the front panel, window, and outer door glass. Remove oven racks to clean them separately in the sink. Let them soak in soapy water for 10-20 minutes. Then, using regular kitchen sponges, scrub the racks.

Allow the oven to dry before use.

Carbon steel, weighted aluminium, stainless steel, and titanium are the best cookware materials for smooth top ranges. Avoid using cast iron, stoneware and glass cookware on smooth top stoves, as they can scratch the cooktop’s surface.

Do not use any abrasive cleaners or metal pads as they can cause scratches.You may also consider using white vinegar and baking soda. Make a paste with the equal parts of these ingredients and use a sponge to scrub the surface of your cooktop.

A build-up of grease on pan or pot bottoms can cause marks that are often very difficult to clean off.Wipe down the surface after every use to remove any grease splatters or spills.This will keep the cooktop looking good and prevent damage.

Clean the both the interior and exterior of the microwave cabinet with hot soapy water and cloth regularly to prevent corrosion and rust.

Put white vinegar in a bowl filled with water and heat it inside the microwave. The steam from the bowl will make the grime on the microwave easily removable.

Do not forget to put a cover on the food container when cooking to prevent food splashes. They can lead to burn spots and even causing damage to some components of the microwave.

Use only microwave-safe dishware like glass containers, paper plates, ceramic and porcelain dishes.

Do not use aluminum foil, metal containers, brown paper bags from the grocery store and one-time storage containers.

Avoid running the microwave when it is empty – you risk overheating and damaging the magnetron.

Clean the exhaust vent every two years. Lint, dirt, and debris accumulate in the vent tube. It increases drying times and the risk for fire.

Clean the lint filter after every load of laundry. Once in 3 months remove the lint filter, wash it thoroughly to remove any stubborn pieces of lint, dry it completely, and then replace it back into the dryer. Keep dryer running efficiently by taking less time to dry your clothes. As a result, you can save some money on electricity bill.

Don’t overload it.Large loads take longer to dry and use more energy. And if clothes don’t dry completely, you may end up with a musty smell.

Check the vent cap outside.Clear the vent cap from leaves, snow or dirt build up to let the air flow freely.

Clean the drum. Wipe down the drum with a microfiber cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Let it dry thoroughly.

Dust regularly. Dust causes allergies, asthma symptoms, and bad odours. Especially when hot or cold air is blowing through the dust day in and day out. Dusting your vents regularly minimizes the buildup of dust along vent grates.

Wipe and disinfect. A few times a year, remove the grates from floors, walls, and ceilings, and soak them in hot soapy water. Wipe them all down and dry them before replacing them in your living space.

Vacuum ducts.Vacuuming inside your vents is a great way to maintain the cleanliness you’ve achieved by dusting and wiping.Having a furnace cleaning company come in to clean your furnace and thoroughly clean air ducts is a great exercise in vent cleanliness.

Wax and polish.Polish and buff it until all the wax is completely rubbed smooth and the vent looks shiny and clean.The wax keeps dust and fibres from sticking to the grate, erasing the need for much of the dusting you’d do throughout the day.

Call the professionals.Finally, when in doubt about the best vent cleaning tips ,call in the professionals.A professional service will help you clean, polish, and maintain your vents, inside and out.