General

  • Always replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year—choose holidays or family birthdays as reminders.
  • Unplug small electrical appliances, such as blenders, toasters, etc. after using them.
  • Check appliance hoses and ventilation according to the owner’s manuals.
  • Sanitize small electrical appliances after each use; unplug and allow them to cool before cleaning.
  • Use only distilled water in steam irons to prevent mineral buildup.
  • Strap the water heater firmly to wall studs to avoid it from moving during an earthquake.
Appliances
Dishwasher

Plumbing

  • Repair minor drips and leaks as they occur. Don’t allow the problem to develop into a major issue.
  • Invest in quality shower heads and faucets as they last longer and over the course of their lives they pay for themselves.
  • Avoid flushing anything besides toilet paper down the toilet.

Dishwasher

  • Use dishwasher detergent in recommended amounts. Load the dishwasher properly and run only when you have a full load.
  • Load more fragile items on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Garbage Disposal

  • Do not put fibrous foods down the disposal, including celery, corn husks, and potato skins. Never put rice (uncooked or cooked) down the garbage disposal.
  • To freshen your disposal, occasionally grind a half lemon or lime while running cold water.
  • Run a strong flow of cold water through the garbage disposal throughout grinding and for at least 30 seconds after turning off the grinder.

Oven

  • If you have a self-cleaning oven, do not use any other method to clean it.
  • Clean the interior of your oven regularly.
Oven
Fridge
  • Clean refrigerator compartments regularly, even though they do not not require defrosting.
  • Wipe up spills in the refrigerator promptly to avoid staining and odors.
  • Clean coils with a condenser coil brush.
  • Once a year slide, the refrigerator out and vacuum around and beneath it.
  • Defrost freezers about once a year, before the frost is 1/2 inch thick on the inside walls and then clean. Use a plastic or wooden scraper, not a sharp instrument to clean.
  • When storing items in the door, place the heaviest items closest to the hinge side; this will reduce stress on the door and inner door panel when it is opened and closed.
  • Have the heating/cooling systems serviced annually.
  • Check the filters on your heating/cooling unit and clean or replace them as needed.
  • Do not operate an air conditioner unit or furnace on an extension cord! The compressor draws a lot of current and can be damaged if insufficient voltage is continually supplied.

• Keep proper water levels at all times.

• Maintain chemical balance.

• Clean basket strainers regularly

Cooktop/Range/Hood

  • Keep gas burners free of dirt and debris.
  • Clean the exposed metal of the range hoods regularly with sudsy water. Do not use abrasive pads or scouring powders, as they may scratch the finish.
  • Occasionally clean the metal filter in warm, soapy water. Charcoal filters should be replaced once a year.
  • Never spray cleaners directly onto the control panel. Put some cleaner on a soft, damp rag and then wipe the surface.

Microwave Oven

  • Do not use metal pans or containers with metal trims.
  • Clean the microwave oven and removable glass shelves regularly; food residue keeps reheating and can cause the glass shelves to break.
  • Clean around the microwave door to prevent soil buildup, which could keep the door from closing tightly.
  • Only use a mild soap and/or baking soda mixture to clean the interior to avoid damaging the lining.
Microwave

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