A little basic care can help your appliances work better and last longer. Clean your refrigerator coils and door seals, remove lint from your dryer after each load, keep the dryer vent clear, avoid stuffing too many clothes into the washer, and clean your dishwasher filter when it gets dirty.
Pay attention when an appliance starts acting differently. A new leak, strange noise, weak cooling, longer drying time, or washer that shakes more than usual can mean something is wrong. If you smell something burning, turn the appliance off and have it checked before using it again.
Older appliances may also give you warning signs before they stop working. If your refrigerator runs all the time, your oven takes too long to heat, or your dryer needs several cycles to dry clothes, don’t wait for it to completely fail. Getting the problem checked early may help prevent a bigger repair.