The COVID19 pandemic is especially lethal for several reasons: it attacks the lower respiratory system immediately, and it is extremely contagious. While there is still a lot that the scientists do not know about COVID19, the general agreement is that it is spread through droplets that settle on surfaces and can remain contagious for up to 72 hours. Different surfaces have different time frames, however, and experts are not yet certain how long COVID19 can remain on fabric. What we do know is that ordinary soap and water can destroy the virus on the skin. And the same science applies to laundry.

The Science of Soap

Almost all viruses consist of three key elements: ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins and lipids. There are no strong covalent bonds holding these units together, which means you do not need harsh chemicals to split them apart. The weakest part of the virus is the lipid or fatty layer. Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the RNA and proteins go their separate ways, no longer a threat. Laundry detergent works on the same principles. The surfactants (surface active agents) in laundry detergent have molecules that have two ends: one to attach to lipids (grease and dirt), and one to attract water. So during the wash cycle, the laundry detergent would work on the lipids in the COVID19 virus, breaking them down, and then rinse it all away in the rinse cycle.

Laundry Strategies to Combat COVID19

Knowing that simply doing your laundry can help prevent this disease gives you substantial power over it. While it is not necessary to do your laundry any differently from normal, you may choose to wash clothes at a higher temperature or use a detergent that specifies that it’s good on grease. Other key considerations to minimize the spread of COVID19 are these:

· Do not shake out dirty laundry. You may be in the habit of shaking out your dirty laundry before putting it in the machine. Now is the time to break that habit. Shaking your dirty laundry creates the potential for the COVID19 virus to travel from the fabric to your skin, or some other surface where it can remain infectious.

· Separate towels for household members. Each person should have their own hand towel and bath towel, and they should be washed more frequently than usual. The hand towel especially will be used more frequently because everyone should be washing hands multiple times a day.

· Cloth Face Masks and Gloves. The CDC is now recommending that everyone wear cloth face masks when out in public. They are also clear that you should not diminish the supply needed for medical professionals. It is easy to make or create your own cloth face mask. Similarly, cloth gloves don’t take away from the disposable gloves needed by medical professionals and protect you against COVID19 as well. It is important that you put these cloth face masks and gloves into the washing machine as soon as you enter the house after a public excursion. They need to be washed after every use.

· Wash some items on the hottest setting. Fabrics that have been in contact with bodily fluids should be washed at the hottest setting possible for the cloth. For instance, anything that has had vomit or feces on it (including diapers) should be washed on hot. Sports wear, too, should be washed in water as hot as the fabric can withstand. And of course, towels should be washed on hot.

Your washer is your ally in the fight against COVID19. It’s designed to deal with grease and grime, and COVID19’s fatty layer can be destroyed in your washer as well. Use it frequently to keep yourself and your family safe during this pandemic.

The post Washing Clothes During Coronavirus: What’s the Safest Way? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

The particular strain of the Coronavirus known as COVID19 has created an unprecedented situation around the world. Here in the United States, the number of people with confirmed coronavirus cases tops 217,000 (as of Friday, April 3rd), more than China, Italy, or Spain. Thirty-eight states, Washington, D.C., and the territory of Puerto Rico have declared lockdowns, where residents are instructed to stay at home, nonessential businesses are closed, and only essential workers are out and about. Even states without lockdown orders have metro areas on lockdown, and a few states have ordered nonessential businesses to close without adding that residents need to stay at home. All told, about 90% of America’s population (297 million) are at home. And they’re worried.

The Science of Soap

In order to best protect yourself and your household, it is important that you understand what COVID19 is, how it is transmitted, and how you can fight it in your home. COVID19 is a virus made up of three different elements, and one of them is a layer of lipids (or fat). That makes it vulnerable because soap and detergents break down fats. Without this lipid layer to hold the virus together, it breaks apart. So hot water and detergent make the coronavirus inactive.

Dishwashers Deliver

Your ordinary household dishwasher is the best method of delivering detergent designed to cut through lipids (grease) combined with water at high temperatures. Most standard dishwashers operate at 150º – 160º F and often have a sanitation final rinse cycle of 180ºF. Even the older models wash at temperatures of at least 120ºF. So your dishes, cutlery, pots and pans will be blasted with the best combination around to ensure any COVID19 virus disappears down the drain. Here are some pointers to get the best out of your dishwasher during this pandemic:

*Check your water temperature settings. In order for your dishwasher to use water as hot as it is designed to use, the temperature setting on your boiler must be set accordingly. Many people have boilers set several levels below the highest. Find out what your boiler is set for and adjust it if needed. You want really hot water in your dishwasher right now.

*Remember that COVID19 can live on surfaces up to 72 hours. That means that stainless steel, glass, ceramics, and plastics could all harbor coronavirus for days. Putting all your dishes through the dishwasher wouldn’t be a bad idea. And put your used items through the dishwasher immediately after the meal. It’s not necessary to wait for the dishwasher to be completely full.

*Choose a grease-specific detergent. All detergents have lipid attacking qualities, so the brand of dishwashing detergent is not critical. However, some detergents advertise as particularly tough on grease. Using one of these may give you even more assurance that your dishwasher is dealing with COVID19.

If you do need to hand wash any of your dishes, use gloves and the hottest water you can stand along with a dishwashing liquid designed to cut through grease. It’s better to use the dishwasher, even for very small loads. At Dave’s Appliance, we want to support your family staying safe during this crisis. Using your dishwasher is a great way to do just that.

The post Will Dishwashers Kill COVID-19? Best Way to Wash Dishes During Crisis appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

If you are having an issue with your refrigerator, you can always contact American Appliance Repair for help. If you would first like to try a few troubleshooting options, you will find some listed below. Then contact us at 800-640-9934 if you need further help.

What to Do if Your Refrigerator is Not Defrosting

It used to be that homeowners had to
manually defrost their fridges as part of regular maintenance. Today,
the average full-sized, modern fridge includes an auto defrost system
that does it all for you. However, if there is frost building up in
your fridge it may mean any of the following:

• The defrost thermostat is broken
• The defrost control board is defective
• The defrost heater is not working correctly
• The defrost timer has failed

Depending on which of these issues is
the cause, it can be fairly easy to replace the part.

What to Do if Your Refrigerator is Not Dispensing
Water

If your refrigerator is set up to
provide cool water on demand and it is not doing so, there are a
number of issues that can be happening. The water dispenser switch
may be broken, in which case it should be replaced. You may have a
clogged water filter, which you can check. Check your kitchen faucet
to make sure you are not experiencing low water pressure everywhere.
Finally, it could be an issue of a defective water inlet valve.

What to Do if Your Refrigerator Runs All the Time

If your
refrigerator is working correctly, it should turn on and off
throughout the day. This keeps the temperature steady. If it is
running all the time, then there is something going wrong. Not only
is your fridge working too hard which could cause it to not last as
long, but your utility bills are going to rise too. The first thing
to check here is the condenser coils. If they are dirty, cleaning
them off could be all it takes.

There are other potential causes of
your refrigerator running all the time, including a damaged door
gasket, defrost heater assembly failure, or a defective evaporator
fan motor. These are issues you will need the professionals to take a
look at. Some are easy to fix while others are a challenge.

What to Do if Your Refrigerator is Warm but Your
Freezer is Working

It can be very confusing if you have a
warm refrigerator but a freezer that is working just fine. This
actually happens more often than you might think. Once again, check
your refrigerator’s condenser coils to see if they are dirty and
clean them if they are. Other issues that you need professional help
with can include a broken thermostat, defective fan motor, or a
faulty start relay. Contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934 for help.

The post Simple Refrigerator Troubleshooting Options to Try Before Calling for Service appeared first on American Appliance Repair.

A dishwasher is like an extra set of hands that makes your work easier, and your day a whole lot better.

If you have had your appliance for a long time, you must have noticed its efficiency dwindling, and you must be asking, how do I get my dishwasher to clean better?

Well, you are on the lucky side as dishwasher repair professionals report there are plenty of ways you can do it. Here are some of these ways:

Scrape off the leftovers

As much as you don’t want to touch the dishes when they get dirty, you should note that the efficiency of the appliance is significantly compromised when you deposit too much food residues into the system.

For your appliance to clean the dishes better, scrape off all the extra food from the plates before you put them in the dishwasher.

Some people go to the extent of pre-rinsing the dishes, but you shouldn’t. When you pre-rinse the dishes you not only give yourself extra work, you also reduce the efficiency of the appliance as the detergents don’t have enough space to adhere to in order to clean the dishes effectively.

Use hot water

Just like when cleaning the dishes by hand, hot water cleans the best, so ensure the water getting into the dishwasher is hot enough. Before you start running the appliance, check the temperature of the water at the kitchen faucet using a meat or candy thermometer.

For effective cleaning, the temperature should be 120 degrees. Adjust the setting accordingly.

Keep the dishwasher clean.

You should keep the dishwasher clean all the time. Regular cleaning eliminates stuck-on-food particles, mineral buildup, and residual detergents. To clean the dishwasher, run it on a normal cycle using two cups of white vinegar.

You should then wipe down the interior wall and racks with a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Once you are done, rinse thoroughly.

Soften the water

Do you live in areas with hard water? You should note that hard water tends to leave ugly residues on the glasses and plates. No amount of cleaning will leave the dishes sparkling unless you soften the water.

To soften the water, buy and install a water softener, and you will prevent stains and minerals from building up.

Load the dishes appropriately.

Sometimes the dishes will fail to clean properly if they aren’t correctly loaded in the dishwasher. For optimum results, follow the manufacturer recommendations for loading the appliance. As a rule of thumb, never overload the appliance as you will block the spray arm and prevent the water from reaching all the surfaces.

Use the right amount of soap.

Soap is necessary for clean dishes, but when you use too much of it, you end up with dirty dishes. For the cleanest clean, always pour the detergent into the built-in measuring cup inside the dishwasher. This way, you ensure that you are always using the appropriate amount.

Always ensure that you use the right soap for the work. As a rule of thumb never use dish soap designed for hand washing in the dishwasher.

Use the right cycle

Dishwashers come with different cycles aimed at different dishes. The regular cycle is for normal cleaning, the heavy-duty cycle for deep cleaning, and the light cycle for fragile items.

For effective cleaning, be aware of the items you are cleaning and ensure you are using the right cycle.

Inspect the dishwasher for clogs

It’s normal for clogs to develop in the spray arm and the drain, and as you might have guessed, they prevent the dishwasher from functioning optimally. Now and again, check the holes in the spray arm and ensure they aren’t clogged with food residues or hard water minerals.

To dislodge the particles, use a toothpick or needle. While you are at it, check the trap and drain to ensure that food scraps or other objects aren’t blocking the area.

You can do the work if you have the skills but for ideal results, let an appliance repair Northern VA handle it for you. When hiring the contractor, ensure they are experienced and certified to work in your local area. In addition to unclogging the appliance, they also should inspect other areas and fix them if problematic.

The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Did you know you could be hurting your cooktops without even realizing it? When you use the appliances the wrong way, they break down, and you have to hire expensive cooktops repair professionals. To help you out, here are some of the ways you might be hurting your cooktops and what you should do about it:

You ignore the manual.

Every appliance you buy comes with a manual that lets you know about the different parts of the appliance and how to use them properly. It’s a fact manuals are boring, but they are vital when it comes to keeping your appliance in top shape.

In addition to detailing the different parts, they also contain special tips on maintenance and correct cleaning and care of the appliance. To keep the appliance in top shape and avoid using it the wrong way, always take time to read them.

You can skip the boring part descriptions, but when it comes to care and maintenance tips, pay close attention to them.

You let the pot cook on its own

You will regularly hear people saying that a watched pot never boils, but when you ignore it, it tends to boil over. When boiling water or heating liquids, you can find it meaningless to wait until it boils, but stepping out of the kitchen can often be dangerous.

When you walk out of the kitchen, the liquids can boil over, and the spills and splashes get stuck on the cooktops. When you let the spills stay on the stovetop for a long time, they are not only unappealing, but they also cause damage to the appliance, which significantly reduces its life.

How can you avoid this? Simple. Never leave the kitchen regardless of what you are cooking. Always be in the kitchen when cooking. When the food starts boiling, reduce the fire, or remove it from the fire altogether. When spills happen, remove them immediately.

You ignore burner clogs.

When you light a burner and notice it not working, it means that it has clogged and you need to clean it. There are plenty of issues that come with clogged burners. When a burner clogs, it corrodes, which shortens the life of the appliance.

When you ignore the clog and don’t clean it early enough, the opening where the gas comes out decreases in size, which can potentially lead to inefficient gas burning and even hot spots in the pan.

When you continue ignoring the clogged burner, it will eventually stop functioning, and in no time, the entire appliance will break down.

To avoid this, you should give attention to the burners, and when you notice them not burning as well as you would want them to, clean the burners.

You ignore debris on the gas stovetop.

Most people that want a sleek modern look on their kitchen go for a glass stovetop. While the stovetop gives your kitchen an elegant appeal, if you let dirt build upon it, it not only provides the kitchen with a cheap look, but also significantly reduces its lifespan.

Nothing is exciting about a glass stovetop full of burn marks, steaks, and baked-on stains, so you should regularly clean the stovetop to remove any gunk that might be there.

You use a lot of water.

Cleaning the cooktop is vital for its life, but you shouldn’t use a lot of water when cleaning it. When you use a lot of water, you put your gas and electric cooktops at the risk of shorting out.

You might have the impression that there is no way gas will be affected by water, but you need to remember that the gas cooktop has electrical components too, such as the control board, high voltage wires, and electric switches.

Clean your cooktops but avoid using a lot of water as you will not only be putting the cooktops at risk, but also yourself.

You use the wrong cleaning products.

While some people use a lot of water on the cooktops, others use the wrong materials. For example, using a razor blade to remove any built-up gunk, cleaning the surfaces with a wire brush, or using chemical cleaners will damage the appliance, and it’s only a matter of time before you hire an appliance repair Alexandria professional to fix the unit.

The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Are you dealing with an electric oven that is not heating up the way it should? You could be dealing with any number of oven problems, some of which are relatively simple to take care of yourself and some of which require the help of an appliance repair company. Keep reading to find out four of the potential reasons and then contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934 if you need help repairing or maintaining your oven.

1. The Bake Element May Be Burned Out


If the oven is not getting hot at all, it could be that the bake element is entirely burned out. The bake element is generally located at the bottom of the oven. Its job is to provide heat when you are roasting or baking but it must receive an electric current to do so. When it is working, you will see this element glow red and provide heat. As time goes on, this element can simply wear out. It can also be burnt out quickly if it is repeatedly exposed to higher-than-normal temperatures. For example, if you use the self-cleaning cycle on a daily basis, you could end up burning out the bake element.

2. The Broil Element May Be Burned Out


This is similar to the bake element but the broil element is on the top of the oven. It heats up for broiling but also helps with baking and roasting. If your bake element is not working then your broil function will not work either. If your bake element is working but your broil element is not working, you will likely notice that everything is baking unevenly because the only heat is coming from below the item. There is no way to repair a broil element – it must be replaced.

3. The Oven Control Board May Not Be Working Correctly


If the oven control is faulty, it can cause an oven to heat unevenly or not at all. This control board works in conjunction with the oven’s sensor to keep the temperature where it should be. If either of these parts, the control board or the sensor, are not working then neither will work. This could cause foods to cook faster or slower than they should.

4. The Thermal Fuse Has Blown


There is a thermal fuse inside an electric oven that works to protect you and your home. If the oven becomes too hot inside, the fuse will blow, which cuts the power off. This might happen during the self-cleaning mode or if the fuse is not working correctly.

The good news is that you do not have to figure this out on your own. At American Appliance Repair we can come to you and check out your oven to find the right repair options. Call us now at 800-640-9934 and we can get started.

The post 4 Reasons Your Electric Oven May Not Be Heating Up the Way It’s Supposed To appeared first on American Appliance Repair.

The purchase of a major appliance should be a well considered decision. When thinking about buying a dryer for your home, there are two basic designs: vented and ventless (condenser and heat pump). Before delving into the pros and cons of each, let’s gain a basic understanding of how they work.

All dryers work by transferring the moisture in the laundry into the air in the drum. Then the moisture in that saturated air has to go somewhere else. In vented dryers, it simply goes outside as water vapor, either through a vent built into an exterior wall or through a hose connected to the dryer and passed out a window. In a condenser dryer, that air goes into a separate chamber in the dryer unit where it is cooled to convert the moisture back into water that then collects in a reservoir, usually under the machine. The newest kind of condenser dryers use a heat pump that draws air from its surroundings like its counterparts but uses a different method to complete the drying process. It is sent through a heat pump where the cold side condenses the vapor into a drain pipe or tank and the hot side reheats the remaining air for further use.

Space Considerations

The first (and perhaps only) consideration needs to be the set-up already in place in your house. If your home does not have a vent, or the prospective placement of your laundry isn’t near an exterior wall or window, you will need to look at ventless dryers. Their placement is more flexible, though regular condenser dryers still need to have plenty of air flow around them in order to function properly. If you already have a dryer vent in an exterior wall, then a conventional vented dryer may be your best choice. Or not. There are other factors to weigh.

Cost

Because vented dryers are so common, they are also the least expensive to purchase. You can get a vented dryer for approximately $300 to $1500. A condenser dryer can be anywhere from $600 to $2000. Heat pump dryers were only introduced to the U.S. market in 2015, and are the most expensive. They can cost $1300 and up. These are just initial costs, however. Over time, condenser dryers can save you money, especially the heat pump dryers. When there’s no vent to the outdoors, the energy efficiency of your home naturally increases. Also, the ventless dryer recycles the air it uses, thereby creating a potential savings (especially during Milwaukee winters).

Drying Time

The vented dryer has the shortest drying time, with typical loads going through a 60 minute cycle. Condenser dryers usually have dry times of around 75 minutes, and heat pump dryers take 105 minutes and longer. The reason that vented dryers work so quickly is the temperature of the air in the drying drum. It is extremely hot and blown vigorously. With the ventless dryers, the temperature can be lower, thereby increasing drying time. And also decreasing the wear and tear on your clothes.

Fabric Condition

Because of the differences described, ventless dryers are kinder to clothes. You may even find that you can dry some items that you needed to hang dry before. With condenser dryers, your clothes can last longer.

Energy Efficiency

Heat pump clothes dryers use 40% to 50% as much electricity as a traditional electric dryer. In fact, some sources claim that they are five times more efficient than vented dryers, and double condenser

efficiency. Whatever the specific figures for your household, there is no doubt that they are the most energy efficient option.

With all of these factors at play, only you can decide which type of dryer suits your needs best.

The post Vented or Ventless Dryer: Which Should I Buy? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

A washing machine is a major purchase, and before you buy, you should be fully informed. Not only are there a lot of different brands, there are different types of machine, so the first decision is whether to get a front-load or top-load machine. Which is better? That depends on what you’re looking for. In this blogpost, we will look at a number of different factors that you should consider. Then you can decide what is best for your family.

Cost

The majority of washing machines in the U.S. are the top-loading type, including the newer GE models that don’t have the center-post agitator. Unsurprisingly, top-loaders are usually less expensive than front-loaders. However, because of other factors, front-loaders may well save you money in the long run. So if your major concern is the initial outlay, a top-loader would be your choice, while if you want long-term savings, a front-loader is best.

Time

Traditional top-loading washers have run times between 35 and 65 minutes, and the newer HE top-loaders have cycles from 60 to 80 minutes. Front-loader cycles are substantially longer, between 75 and 120 minutes. That’s because the laundry needs to rest in the shallow pool of water and detergent periodically rather than being immersed in water constantly.

Cleaning Effectiveness

Front-loaders are better at cleaning fabrics in general, and in getting stains out of clothes without pre-treating. That’s true even when compared to the newest models of top-loading machines. The reason is simple: front-loaders work with gravity. The clothes in a front-loading machine are pulled up by the rotation of the drum, then fall against each other as they come down. This tumbling action is much more effective than the twisting motion of top-loading machines. But you should think, too, whether you require intensive cleaning action. Are your clothes regularly very dirty? Do you hate pre-treating stains? If cleaning effectiveness is your main objective, the answer is easy; if not, read on.

Water Conservation

Top-loaders work by filling the drum with water (and detergent) and then agitating the clothes in a twisting motion. There needs to be enough water in the drum to fully immerse all the material. In a front-loading machine, there is a shallow pool of water at the bottom of the drum and the clothes are dragged through it repeatedly by the action of the drum. Compared with a typical HE top-loader, front-loaders use about 5 fewer gallons of water per cycle, or around 2,000 gallons per year based on estimates for average use. That’s a lot of water you can save by having a front-loading machine.

Energy Use

Front-loaders are more energy efficient. Obviously using less water translates into less energy since that means less water needs to be pumped in (and out) and heated. Also, front-loaders extract a lot more water out of the laundry, so if you use a dryer rather than hanging your clothes out, that translates into an energy savings since you’ll need a shorter cycle on your dryer. Overall, front-loaders use less than half the electricity of a standard top-loading machine.

Maintenance

The maintenance of a top-loader is easier than that of a front-loader. Front-loaders have been known to smell, and unless maintained properly you can have a problem with mold in your machine. Front-loaders

have a tub-clean feature that should be run on a regular basis and some basic cleaning habits can mitigate this issue.

Design

Finally, you should consider what design works better in your house. Front-loading machines are usually stackable, so your washer and dryer take up less floor space.

Think about all of your family needs when choosing whether to go with a front-loader or top-loader. Once that decision is made, you can begin comparing brands.

The post Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washer: Which is Better? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

The average person does not think much about their dishwasher until it stops running as well as it should. If you are having dishwasher issues, you may need the help of an appliance repair company. You may also have a quick fix for your issues. Check out these common issues and tips. Then contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934 if you need help from the professionals.

Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

If you load up your dishwasher, get the detergent in it, and press the start cycle – only for nothing to happen – it could be a smaller issue than you would guess. At American Appliance Repair we have found that the most common reasons for dishwashers not starting is usually something simple like a door switch that needs to be replaced, a broken door latch, or a blown thermal fuse.

The best way to prevent any of these
issues from occurring is to be sure that you are gentle when opening
and closing your dishwasher.

Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

Opening your
dishwasher after it has supposedly finished its cycle, only to
discover standing water, is not a good experience. This can lead to
significant damage and flooding if you do not have it taken care of.
Flooding can be caused by something as simple as a clogged drain
line. It can also be caused by the failure of the drain pump or valve
malfunction. To reduce the chance that your drain filter will get
clogged and cause standing water, make sure you are clearing debris
away from it every few cycles.

Your Dishwasher is Not Dispensing Dishwashing
Detergent

If your detergent dispenser is
routinely closed or full of dishwashing detergent after the cycle
finishes, there are a few potential causes. It could be that the
latch to dispense the detergent is faulty, the control board could be
failing or the dispenser module could be damaged. To prevent these
issues, make sure you are not adding too much detergent, as this can
cause the dispenser to become damaged over time.

Your Dishwasher is Not Cleaning Dishes Well
Enough

If you notice that your dishwasher is
not cleaning as well as it once did, stop washing everything a second
time and instead call American Appliance Repair for help. A variety of issues can
cause poor cleaning including broken spray arms, issues with the
circulation pump, or a defective water inlet valve. Make sure that
you are not overloading the washer because this can lead to poor
cleaning.

We Are Ready to Help You with Your Dishwasher
Issues

If you are having issues with your
dishwasher, we invite you to contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934. We can
help you with a wide range of needs – call us today.

The post Check Out These Common Dishwasher Issues and What You Can Do About Them appeared first on American Appliance Repair.

To avoid hiring refrigerator repair technicians to repair your appliance frequently, you need to be cautious of the sanity of your appliance. To have an easy time, have a refrigerator preventative maintenance checklist with you.

The list protects your appliance from sudden breakdowns and ensures that your appliance lasts for a long time. Some of the things you should do to maintain the sanity of your appliance include:

Keep the appliance leveled

If the fridge or freezer isn’t level, the doors don’t seal correctly, and in no time they warp out of place. To prevent this from happening, place a carpenter’s level on top of the unit. If it’s not level, adjust the feet using a hand wrench.

Defrost the unit

Many modern appliances have a self-defrosting mechanism that prevents ice from building up in the unit. If you have an old unit, it might be lacking this mechanism, so you have to defrost the appliance manually.

If the ice is over ½ inch, remove it. Start with turning off the appliance and let it defrost naturally. To speed up the process, turn on a fan facing the affected area. Avoid using sharp objects to remove the built-up ice as you can damage the appliance.

Change the water filter

If the refrigerator has an icemaker, it most likely has a water filter that you should replace. For best results, replace the filter every 6 months, or however often the manufacturer recommends. The purpose of doing this is to ensure that the ice made by the appliance is clean. Cleaning the filters also ensures that the appliance is functioning efficiently all the time.

Clean the appliance regularly

If you have a busy kitchen, the chances are that you don’t have enough time to properly get rid of food and beverage spills when they happen. When you go for a long time without properly cleaning the refrigerator, gunk is bound to develop.

To avoid this, make it a habit to clean the refrigerator surfaces at the end of every working day. When drips and splatters happen, clean them on time. When doing it, avoid using a ball of steel wool or other abrasives and chemicals such as bleach that can damage the finish of the appliance.

Remember, the longer you let a spill settle, the harder it will be to clean it without using a harmful cleaning agent. In addition to the uncleaned spills causing unpleasant odors, they significantly affect the quality of the refrigerator. Mold also tends to grow on the fridge jeopardizing the safety of the food.

Regularly inspect the seals and fix the leaks

When the seals or gaskets on the fridge doors are loose or ripped, air will escape. This results in the refrigerator working too hard; hence you have a high energy bill at the end of the month.

You can easily fix minor gasket leaks by yourself using silicone caulk. While you are at it, ensure that the refrigerator door hinges and latches are tightly secured.

Check the interior lights

Lights generate heat. In a properly functioning refrigerator, the lights should go off when you close the refrigerator door. Due to age and improper maintenance, the refrigerator lights might not be going off when you close the door. As a result, the lights heat the interior of the fridge, making the refrigerator work harder than it should.

To stop this, take the time to scrutinize the interior lights. If they don’t go off when you close the door, find out the reason and fix it.

Clean the condenser coils

The condenser coils allow the fridge or freezer to control its temperature, so you must keep them clean to ensure that the appliance is running efficiently and doesn’t overheat. When you go for a long time without cleaning the coils, dust, hair, and other grime build up on the coils.

To keep your appliance functioning efficiently, clean the coils regularly with a vacuum cleaner. For ideal results, do the cleaning at least once every three months. You can do the cleaning by yourself by following the owner’s manual or hire an appliance repair Alexandria professional to help you out.

When hiring a contractor, ensure the contractor is experienced enough. They also should be certified to work in your area.

The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair