Hello Lise -whether it's a major appliance, ones home/vehicle or even yourself - proper maintenance makes a big difference.  

Lise, I find that the dryer is one of those appliances that needs the lint filter changed often, expecially after wahsing towels. I do this on a regular basis!

Hi Lise... great tips. I've always taken good care of my appliances and even after 15 years they are like new.

This is good advice to share.

Take care, be safe and have a great day.

Lise,

Small or big, it does not matter to us.  It is something we both do naturally and without major thinking.  Good advice. A

Lise if we take care of our appliances they will in return take care of our needs for many years.

Hello Lise Howe very valuable report about treat appliances with TLC to save money in the long run.

Hi Lise- very good information!  I wonder if they make appliances like they used to (doubt it)  Our first W/D and Fridge were given to us by my grandmother and she purchased them at Sears. This was back in 1980. We had them for about 15 years and moved with them several times. We never had any problems and we finally sold them not because they weren't working but Larry felt it was time. 

Morning Lise.

We have an electric heater in the master bedroom.  I was ready to throw it out, when my wife found that all it needed was the filter to be cleaned.  It sure saved us some cash.  Big or small, a little care is in order

Treating our appliances the way they should be treated is certainly important because they are expensive to replace.

Lise, this is excellent advice, and especially cleaning the dryer vent.  We see fires in homes due to this issue frequently.

Great post Lise Howe, I do property management, can't tell you how often tenants run into problems with their appliances not working properly, especially the washer by overloading.

Lise Howe OHMIGOSH SO TRUE. I can rant in vivid detail of the $1,000s of dollars I could have saved if I'd known the maintenance, installation, etc. histories and "needs" of some of my household machines. What you're saying about small appliances - think BIG too - like HVAC ducts. Lauren

As a rental owner, I found out very early how bad people putting muddy clothes in a washing machine can effect the longevity of said appliance. Thank you Lise Howe 

Lise Howe - This is really good information. The moral of the story is it is better to maintain your appliances and keep them running as the manufacturer intended instead of replacing appliances or paying for costly repairs. 

Good morning Lise. Of all your great tips, the one most often overlooked is cleaning the condenser on the refrigerator. Out of sight and out of mind. Enjoy your day.

These are good tips. I have to remember to check pockets before throwing things in the wash!

Good morning Lise Howe,

I'm so glad Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-ha" moments for the week as I missed it. Proper maintenance on appliances definitely affects their longevity! Great tips.

Hi Lise Howe - this is great information for everyone.  Glad Kathy Streib highlighted it.  I also clean the lint filter every time I use the dryer.

Some sound advice in here, I never knew about some of your tips and laughed at the misuse others come up with - I never thought of heating my house with the stove LOL. But now, if I do, I won't. 😉

If one thing real estate has taught me is that people just beat the crap out of their stuff & then turn around & wonder why it isn't working.

People here in Chicago sometimes have to heat their homes with the stove. Not safe but they do it.

We have people here that still run their 'rounded corner' frigs for pop/soda (Midwest) in the garage. They'd save $100+ each year by recycling that thing but they don't believe you.

I need to clean the back of my refrigerator.  Was just thinking of this the other day.

Hi Lisa, it's a good reminder to take care of our appliances to. It's just like getting the furnace and fireplace cleaned every year.

Lisa, a great list to add to a New Homeowner packet.

These are wonderful tips.  I have to figure out how to vacuum my fridge compressor!

With these major appliances, I don't think people make an effort to keep them in tip top shape--there are usually specific instructions when purchased on how to maintain them and it's worth it to do so. Just last week I cleaned my oven!

So true!  There are also energy efficiency measures we can focus on to improve efficiency.  Might be a blog in the making!  Great points all!  

Hello Lise and great information to get and put into use.  I have a refri. from 1988 and works good in my basement yet.