Refrigerator
Most condenser coils are located at the bottom of the refrigerator behind the kick plate, some are located behind the refrigerator.
Cleaning your refrigerator condenser coils can extend the life of your refrigerator up to 5 yrs or more. One of the most common causes of compressor overload failures is clogged condenser coils. Condenser coils are the place were heat produced by the refrigeration process is transferred and dissipates into the room away from the inner parts of the refrigerator. If that heat is not able to leave the condenser coils your compressor starts to work over time. Your energy bill starts to go up and the life of your compressor starts to go down.
Most of today’s coils are located below the refrigerator compartment. You may have to pull the refrigerator forward and remove the bottom panel to clean your condenser coils. Start with a thin brush to loosen everything up and then vacuum the area completely. This simple step once a year will save you thousands of dollars in the future.
Dryer Vent
When cleaning your vent system always start from the inside. Starting from the outside most often just creates a bigger blockage.
Its that time again to think about have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned. We find most vent issues become even bigger issues during the Winter months. That warm air leaving your home becomes a magnet for animals and birds out in the cold. First make sure there is proper vent protection from unwanted guest entering into your home. Wire mesh netting works best, also make sure all your louvers are in place. Next turn your dryer on and make sure you have good air flow leaving the home. If not your vent is plugged and is in need of being cleaned. Plugged dryer vents account for 1/3 of all house fires every year. When a vent becomes blocked dryer lent starts to build up until at some point it never leaves the dryer. When that lent build up comes in contact with the dryer heater, you now have a house fire.
Range door cleaning
When strap is pushed forward all the way the door can not be removed. Once you move the strap back over the hinge hook the door can be removed.
Interior door glass can be a challenge to get clean. Cleaning this area will require removing the oven door from the range. First start by putting some thing soft on the floor or counter to lay the door on. Then open the door and look for the retainer strap to secure the hinge in the open position.
Make sure door is all the way open and move the strap forward over the hook part of the hinge, lift oven door up and forward and remove the door. After gentle setting your door down remove the screws mounting the bottom and top frame/glass together. There may also be screws holding the handle in place that also need to be removed. Remember how it came apart and follow the same steps to reinstall door.
Clean your interior glass with glass cleaner, SOS pads and possibly even a razor blade may be needed. Take very good care of the glass as for most panels are very expensive.
Dishwasher Maintenance
Dishwashers always have water sitting in the bottom sump area. Those of you that do not use the dishwasher very often still need to do the clean cycle.
Keeping your home dishwasher running properly is a simple process. First and foremost practice keeping foreign objects out of the wash tub. Over the years I have found a good number of items in the bottom of dishwashers. Tooth picks, rocks, glass, jewelry, even faults teeth. All of these items can and will damage your drain pump.
The next thing to do is once every two or three months run a 1/2 cup of vinegar through the dishwasher.
Directions: 1: Drop a 1/2 cup of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher close the door. (No dishes in the wash tub.)
2: If needed (if your dishwasher is really, really stained) start with a full cup in the bottom of the dishwasher.
3: Close the dishwasher and run on most aggressive wash cycle.
4: Repeat once every 60 days.
Garbage Disposal
Never put stringy vegetables into your disposal, onion skin is the worst. Keep bones, seeds, tooth picks and fish tank rocks out as well. Once a month run cold water about 12 ice cubes and some lemon slices through your disposal. The ice helps sharpen the blades and the lemon is for smell.
