How to make your appliances last longer?

One of the biggest issues when it comes to choosing the right appliances and taking care of them is how to make them last, remaining useful, preventing more expenses for you, and wastefulness. Appliances like most machinery do have life expectancy due to wear on the materials and internal systems, etc. However, you can sometimes extend that time or at the very least make sure to maximize it just by following a few simple tips. 

Appliance life expectancy can be divided into three stages:

  1. Choosing the appliance correctly 
  2. Installing and using the appliance properly 
  3. Picking the best appliance repairs services 

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these stages in appliance maintenance and care.

Choosing the appliance correctly 

This is the first essential step in making sure your appliances last longer, picking the right type of appliance for your home and needs will make it easier for the appliance to respond and last. What do we mean? If you choose a smaller fridge for a big family with lots of food needs, the appliance will have to work harder and might last less. 

Here is a short guide to choosing the right appliance:

  • Make sure it’s the proper size, in terms of making the installation process easier and for it to be able to handle the work you need to use it for. 
  • Check the electrical needs of the appliance, nothing like a faulty electric balance to damage a perfectly fine appliance.
  • Go with energy-saving and eco-friendly, these appliances tend to have more gentle cycles, newer technology and save you money! 
  • Read the reviews on the model, reviews are a good guide on how well the appliance performs and can shine a light on things you wouldn’t know unless you used the appliance for a long time. 

Installing and using the appliance properly 

A good installation is the starting point in having a good long run with your appliances, especially the more intricate the installation like a dishwasher or refrigerator the more important it is. 

To better install a new appliance:

After installation, you will need to make sure you are using your appliances the way they were meant to be used, to avoid repairs and damages. 

How to use appliances properly:

  • Read the appliance’s guide 
  • Use only approved products with it like detergents, etc. 
  • Clean often 
  • Turn them off when you are not using them 
  • Don’t overload them 

Picking the best appliance repairs services 

Appliances break and you have to fix them, that’s just a fact of life unless you get really lucky with the one you buy. Because appliances need repairs, it’s important that you choose the best appliance repairs services to avoid getting bad parts or repair work that can completely damage your appliances. 

To pick the best appliance repairs services:

  • Check the reviews the service has, this is super important as it shows how actual customers feel about the service
  • Make sure they use original parts for repairing 
  • Only call companies with certified technicians 

How to choose a new microwave and the best microwaves of 2021

Microwaves are often the unsung heroes of the kitchen, a reliable appliance that’s there to quickly get you a warm plate of food or make bigger tasks faster and easier to handle. It’s one of the most used appliances of all homes, especially useful for giving independence to each member, as you can heat or prepare your own meals in reduced time and using less space. 

Because of its usefulness, it has become one of the most demanded appliances and one that should not be missing from your kitchen. So, what should you consider when getting a new microwave.

  • Space: depending on the amount of space your kitchen has you can narrow the model of microwave you will get, they come in many adaptable sizes o that should not be much of a problem. For the sake of this list, we’ll be raking the standard 24-inch microwave model, that will fit in most traditional sized kitchens. 
  • Power: this will determine how much your microwave can do interim of helping you cool, we mean actually cooking beyond heating up leftovers. This will have more to do with preferences and the power outage available in your home.
  • Style: there are all types of microwaves, from the classic appliance look in white, black, or silver to the more high-end models that can rival any other appliance. Make sure it matches or mixes well with the rest of your appliance and kitchen decor.
  • Features: a big one to consider. What will your microwave do? A lot or just enough. Modern microwave models can heat up, defrost, roast, and cook pretty darn well so you may be getting more than you think. Remember more features usually mean a higher price tag so keep that in mind. 
  • Price: simple enough more capacity, features, stylish finished, and fancy brands will mean a pricier microwave. Don’t forget you will still get a lot from a more “normal” microwave. 

Now let’s get to the list of the best microwaves of 2021

The Viking model VMOS501SS

This American brand is known for its durability and high quality, with most appliances lasting well over the double digits in years. With this model microwave, you will also be getting over 13 sensor settings, plus a feature that can help you calculate cooking time and power settings. It has child locking safety, keeps your food warm for at least 30 minutes, and has an easy add minute feature for extra cooking time. 

The Miele model M6260TC

Super-sleek design and great opening which allows for various sices of cookware. As with other Miele appliances you can expect durability and great features, like the Clean Touch Steel™ for easy cleaning and a LED light to put a spotlight on your food. This microwave comes with a ton of extra safety features to protect from misuse and accidents. It has excellent heat distribution and a 15-minute warm function for keeping plates at serving temperature. 

The GE Model PEM31DFWW

The most classic of the models on the list it still has an impressive 10 power level and sensor cooking setting. You can also enjoy an add 30 seconds feature with just a button. A timer to program turns off and on. All of that on top of 800 Watts of cooking potency, for faster meals. It also comes with a safety feature to prevent accidental use. 

How to take care of your appliances in the summer?

Summer is here and with it rising temperatures which can cause damages to your everyday appliances. So, how can you care for your appliances to make sure they survive and last long after the summer ends. 

Appliances make everyday life easier to manage and cut chore time so you can spend more hours enjoying your holidays and staying cool in the heat. That’s why it’s important to observe a few suggestions in order to care for your appliances in this season. 

Let’s focus on taking care of the most used and common appliances:

Refrigerator and freezers 

This is the basis of summer comfort in any home, having a cold drink or ice cream at hand is going to be a lifesaver during the hottest months of the years, so keep this appliance ready and working with the tips below.

  • Keep the door gaskets clean, so it shuts properly and seals the cools airs inside.
  • Avoid opening the door too often.
  • Don’t overload the appliance, check your model’s manual for an approximate amount you should keep in there.
  • Cleanth refrigerator coils to maximize power.
  • Clear out old food to avoid bad smells and wasted space.

Washing machine 

Washing machines get a lot of work during the summer. Since we sweat more, we swim, we run and we go out a lot more. Meaning there are more clothes to wash, more changes something might break and need repairing. Here what you can do to keep your running smoothly. 

  • Leave the door open after washing so the inside dries, preventing bad smells from appearing. 
  • Wash smaller loads, especially if you are washing items with lots of first or sand in them.
  • Clean your filters and drum. 
  • Use the right amount of detergent.

Televisions

This is another one of those appliances that get a lot of attention during the summer, whether it’s the kids watching their shows or family movie night, you’ll only need to keep an eye on a couple of things to take care of your TV in the summer.

  • Try to place your TV in the shade so it doesn’t get heated up by direct sunlight.
  • Securely mount it and place it away from children to avoid accidents.  

Dishwasher 

Having family over, a BBQ, or just don’t feel like washing the dishes after dinner, here comes the dishwasher to save the day. Just like the other appliances on the list, dishwashers have their work cut out for them in the summer. Avoid the disaster of a broken dishwasher and follow these simple tips. 

  1. Keep your door gaskets clean 
  2. Clean your filters.
  3. Run the dishwasher with hot water, vinegar or dishwasher cleaner at least once a month. 

Happy summer! 

9 reasons why your refrigerator stops cooling

If you find your food is going bad before time or that it’s not keeping as well, then you might have a cooling problem with your refrigerator. This appliance is one of the most powerful and necessary in any home, so having issues with it can be a real headache for anyone. 

The good news when you are having a refrigerator problem is that you don’t need to get a new fridge right away, there are solutions and tricks for getting your cooling power back. Some of these you can even try yourself, for the rest just call your local best appliance repair service. 

1. Your coils might need a cleaning 

Coils, the part of the cooling system located in the back plays an important role in cooling down the inside of your fridge. When your refrigerator coils are covered in dust and dirty they may not function at full capacity, causing a reduction in cooling. Carefully move the refrigerator so you can clean these, use a vacuum and be gentle so you don’t damage or bend the coils. 

2. Problems with your electric setup 

Your appliance may not be getting enough juice to run properly. So, check that the refrigerator is properly plugged and that your outlet is solid on the wall. If you find an issue here it’s best to call professional appliance repair services

3. Dirty door gaskets

Dirty door gaskets can be preventing your refrigerator from closing properly, causing the cool air to slip out and reducing your fridge’s capabilities. Use a wet cloth with a cleaning product to remove food or other debris that could be accusing this. 

4. Your temperature settings need changing

Your refrigerator might have reset setting on its own or changes in temperature could be affecting the fridges cooling capabilities. Once it gets hotter you might need to increase power, lower the temperature settings to get the same results. Check your settings and try a new combination to see what works. 

5. Cool airflow is blocked 

Sometimes items in the refrigerator can get in the way of the cold airflow. Look inside to sew where your cold output is located and if there is any food or drink standing in its way. 

6. Bad fridge location 

This one is quite a hassle, you might have placed your refrigerator in a place that is too hot, too exposed to the elements or other heat sources causing it to lose its cooling power 

7. You need to stock up your refrigerator 

Having your refrigerator stocked up can help it maintain the temperature inside, with items holding their own cooling power. So, remember the rule for fridges is not too full, not too empty. 

8. The fridge is not leveled 

For a perfectly functioning refrigerator, it should be close to even levels. The general rule is from side to side it should be leveled completely, but from front to back a tilt of  1000 mm or ¼ inch toward the back allows the doors to shut properly. 

9. The refrigerator doesn’t have enough space 

Refrigerators have a clearance space to work properly, this allows for the appliance to be properly isolated from other appliances and have ventilation. The exact clearance measures depend on the brand and model you have. A good general clearance is 3/8-inch for the sides and 1-inch behind. 

Looking for the best appliance repair services in Toronto? Maydone’s on the list!

Finding the right appliance repair and installation service can be a difficult decision, not only are you putting your appliances in another person’s hands, you are trusting them with your home and your time. It’s a choice that matters and can save you a whole lot of problems. That’s why we are happy to say that Maydone has been named one of Toronto’s best appliance repair service providers! 

Best Toronto appliance repairs services list

The Best Toronto  is a consumer created site that ranks all kinds of services from appliance repairs to schools, entertainment options and other alternatives to find the greatest the city of Toronto has to offer. 

They do extensive consumer research to create the most informative list, helping people from the area get the highest quality experience, which is why Maydone is honored and proud to be part of the list. 

How do they rank the best appliance services in Toronto? 

In a big city like Toronto, it can be hard to find the best amongst all the thousands of options out there, that by The Best Toronto follows a few rules when choosing its candidates. 

They conduct extensive research of the product or service, find the leaders of the market, and then they test them out themselves so they can be sure a service like Maydone’s is actually delivering on promises. 

Here are some of the questions that Best Toronto makes sure to find answers to before putting a name on the list: 

  1. What is its main purpose?
  2. What features/services does it have to fulfill that purpose?
  3. How well does it achieve that purpose?
  4. How well-received is the product or service among the consumer base?
  5. Would we buy the product or service?

Why be so thorough? 

Because they know how helpful their ranking can be, how it can affect consumers so they want to be sure they would use the product or service before including it in the list. 

Bottom line is, they are speaking from experience when they recommend a service or product. 

How to remain one the best appliance repair services in Toronto? 

Maydone has a crew of experienced technicians, high-quality work, fast response, and a commitment to treat clients with respect. 

Also we keep offering more than just quality service: 

  • Emergency same day service
  • Up to 1-year warranty on service and parts
  • Free Service Call with Repair
  • Genuine Appliance Parts
  • Exceptional 24/7 Customer Care
  • Risk Free and Insured Service
  • Licensed and Experienced Technicians
  • Extended Business Hours
  • No hidden fees

A quick guide to fixing common appliance problems: washing machine, dryer, and more!

Everyone needs help sometimes, especially when it comes to household problems. Having a bad appliance day can really put you in a tight spot so it always helps to have this knowledge in order to handle the small stuff yourself. If it’s a bigger issue, one that you don’t feel confident fixing yourself, you’ll notice pretty fans and the best thing is you already know who to call

First, here are some basic tips when approaching any appliance issue:

  • Try to run a cycle of work for washing machines, etc to see or hear what the issue is. 
  • Only take this on when you have time, doing repairs in a rush or leaving them halfway done is not a good idea. 
  • Have all your tools ready to go. 
  • Clear the space where you are going to work, things might get messy. 
  • Unplug the appliance, always.

Ok, with those ground rules you’ll be good to start. 

Dryers 

A dryer that is not drying properly, meaning it’s leaving your clothes wet or moist because it’s not generating enough heat or maybe not starting, can be fairly simple to repair. Here are three things that could be happening. 

  1. If the appliance is not starting you should check your circuit breaker, it could just be that the breaker for this outlet flipped. Dryers require a lot of power so breakers are more likely to flip when you are using them regularly. 
  2. Your door actuator may need to be replaced, this spring loaded rod is situated to push against the door switch, keeping it closed and trapping the hot air inside. This piece is easy to replace and not expensive. 
  3. A clogged air filter could be obstructing hot air from reaching the inside of the dryer so clean or replace it, same with the vent. 

Dishwasher

Dishwashers are one of the most used and helpful home appliances, so having it out of service can be a drag. Here are some things you can try to fix the most common dishwasher problem. 

  • If your dishwasher is leaking regularly. Try cleaning the debris and obstructions around the door to fix this. Remember, to include the door gasket and recheck to see if the seals are intact, if they are broken change them. 
  • One of the top causes of problems with dishwashers is a clogged filter, it can cause the appliance to pool with dirty water, not wash properly and leak out into your kitchen. To fix this appliance issue, first locate the filter, usually at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, remove, soak in soap or vinegar, clean and put it back. 

Refrigerator

The fridge is at the center of the kitchen proper functioning so it a really important piece of your home, take a look at some quick fixes for the most common refrigerator problem:

  • Noisy fridge, get it leveled or place it on a special, a type of dense soundproofing mat. 
  • Not cool enough or leaking, check, clean or replace the door seal to help trap in cold air and prevent leaks. 
  • Still not cold enough or leaking, check the drainage tube at the bottom of the refrigerator, you can clean this with a mix of baking soda and vinegar, with the help of some warm water. 

Washing Machine

Washing machines have made the heaviest task at home as easy as pressing a few buttons and waiting, so it’s a real bummer when yours isn’t working properly. 

  • If your front loading washing machine wont turn on, try checking the lid strike switch on the door, this needs to be able to move freely to let the appliance switch on. Turn a washing cycle on and then push the blunt end of a pen into the receiving hole on the appliance. This should loosen any obstruction and allow it to fill with water and wash. 
  • If your washing machine is just not moving you can check your directional cogs in the plastic agitator and replace them, you can also try a factory reset using your owner’s manual. 
  • For an issue with draining, you can clean the pump that helps drain the unit to free it from debris that could be causing the obstruction. 
  • Other things that can help is not overloading the washing machine and using less detergent. 

Why choosing the right appliance repairs service matters and how to pick one?

Appliances are what makes home life easier, they keep the home running and fulfill a great variety of everyday needs. So, when your appliances break down, start acting up, or when you need to install a new appliance it makes sense that you would want to pick the right type of service provider to do the job perfectly. But how can you choose from the many options available? Below you will find some insight that can make the process easier for you. 

Appliances are valuable assets 

One of the most important reasons you do not want just anyone handling your appliances is because they can be very expensive. Think about it, a refrigerator can range in between 500-3,000 dollars or more, depending on your taste. So, why would you let inexperienced or unchecked technicians handle the repairs. 

Your time is on the line 

Another thing about appliance repairs that really matters is time. Repairing an appliance doesn’t just mean money, it means taking time from your day to respond to the repairs technicians questions, making decisions and being at home to oversee the work. A good repairs service saves you valuable time. 

It’s a real emergency  

Some appliances are necessary for home life to carry on, like stoves or refrigerators, so you don’t want to hand that kind of john to an unreliable person or service. A good repairs service lets you get on with your day as fast as possible. 

How to choose the right appliance repair service?

It’s almost like choosing the appliance itself, you have to do some research and test things out a bit, but when you find the right one you are going to want to keep them. 

Research them online 

Check out the reviews this company has gotten, on multiple platforms like google review, etc. Go to the latest comments so you are sure you are getting an updated review.

Aks friends 

One of the best ways to get to a good appliance repair service is to ask your friends for suggestions or advice, people they have trusted before.

Make sure they use genuine parts

Original appliance parts last longer and are less likely to cause future problems with your appliance.

Go for the 24/7 service 

Try to find an appliance repairs service that offers 24/7 attention in case of emergencies. 

Keep in touch

Once you have found the right appliance repair and installation service make sure to save the contact information for future use. 

How to choose the best color for your appliances?

Getting a new appliance can be fun now! Yup, that’s right. Changing your appliances comes in all colors now thanks to customers’ demands and an adapting industry looking to make itself more personal. Now, you can go beyond white and grey when selecting your appliances. Which is great, but it also leads to the question of what appliance color is best for my home? 

Given the cost of new appliances you certainly hope that they will last for a long time, so consider that when choosing some of the most bold colors out there, also keep in mind other factors like the decoration of the rest of the house, etc. 

Let’s get started with picking the color of your appliance

Does it match your home?

Because appliance are usually out and visible, if you do want to go for the more colorful tipe you will need to make sure it matches the general decor of your home. 

Here are some tips for getting a color match: 

  1. Use complementary colors 
  2. Use opposites on the color wheel 
  3. Create a palate with a theme, for example: tropical or mediterranean
  4. Choose a central piece and match with that, for example: a large painting or rug 
  5. Muted walls or decor and bring color with the appliance 

There are many option to make your new colorful appliance fit right into your home, becoming a more stylish addition than you ever thought before because of all the possibilities available now.

Decision making 

This one is tough because if you are planning on going with a color appliance, please remember to ask other members of the house what they think of the choice. Avoid discussion and other misunderstandings by making the decision together as a unit. 

Color and stock 

Another important detail to keep in mind when shopping for colorful appliances is that color specific ones may go out of stock more often and those personalized color details could be a bit more difficult to replace in case of repairs to the appliance. It won’t be impossible to find, but they might take a few more days. 

Changing home purposes 

If you have future plans to rent or sell your home, then you might fare better with the standard finishes on appliances. The regular silver touch lets prospective buyers or renters imagine the space as their own more easily. While personalized or not common colors on appliances could turn them away from your home. 

What is the best time to buy an air conditioner and how to choose an AC unit?

So, temperatures are climbing and you want to get a jump start on finding the perfect Air Conditioner, let Maydone help you out with these tips on getting your AC at a lower price and picking the right unit for your home appliance needs. 

Get a jump on the off season 

The best time to go ahead and get a brand new air conditioner unit is usually in the colder months of the year so winter and spring are your best options for finding these appliances at a lower price in any store. But that’s not all, you also can take advantage of special sales and other appliance tricks. 

  1. Black Friday is an optimal date to go shopping for an AC or any other appliance, so keep track of those dates. 
  2. Cyber Monday is a smaller ‘digital’ Black Friday 
  3. Seasonal summer deals have become more common so keep an eye out for those 
  4. Special event sales for labor day or other dates 

How to choose an AC unit that’s right for your home? 

One of the main issues when picking an air conditioner is power. Meaning how much power and what size will work to keep the right temperature in your home. Plus, whether a window unit or central is better for your needs. 

Here are some things to consider:

  • Window units are cheaper and easier to install 
  • Central air systems can also function for heating purposes 
  • Central air require professional installation and more work usually 

When it comes to power these references may help:

  • A small room of about 100-300 square feet would require a potency of around: 5,000 – 6,000 BTU*
  • A medium room of about 250-550 square feet would require a potency of  around:  7,000 – 8,200 BTU
  • A large room of about 350-950 square feet would require a potency of around: 9,800 to 12,500 BTU

*BTU is a British thermal measurement unit that is commonly used for air conditioner appliances, the higher the number the more the power it has.  

How to install a new air conditioner unit?

If you want to go ahead and install your new AC unit yourself you will have to carefully read the models instruction manual and follow every step carefully, to get you started do this:

  1. Prepare the area where the unit will be placed by cleaning and clearing the space. 
  2. Get all your tools together before starting. 
  3. Make sure to have another person helping if the unit is heavy. 
  4. Watch tutorials when possible. 
  5. Have materials ready to clean up any mess. 
  6. Install with power cutoff in order to avoid electrical accidents. 

Call Maydone!

One of the best ways to take care of your new investment is to have top rated professional technicians handle your AC installation. This way you make sure things are in order and that you are all set to enjoy your new air conditioner. 

Maydone has been in business for several years with tons of experience, great reviews and it also offers 24/7 repair service in the Greater Toronto Area. 

How to Layout your Washing Machine and Dryer to Create a Top Laundry Room Space?

Whether you like it or not you are going to spend a lot of time doing laundry, depending on the size of your family you could even accumulate a year in time spent doing laundry. So, why not make this huge, unavoidable task of the home a little easier with the perfect laundry space, let Maydone help you out here! 

First of all, let’s see what you will need for a top Laundry Room:

  1. Washing Machine 
  2. Dryer 
  3. Cabinets for detergents 
  4. Room for dirty clothes 
  5. Flat surface to fold (optional) 

Now lets get down to layout options that could work for you.

If you live small go for – Open Layout 

This form of Laundry Space is smack in between something else, could be part of your kitchen or playroom, maybe the garage. It works for homes that can’t dedicate a whole space for laundry but it can still be functional, how?

  • Create space for your laundry needs for example: add cabinets for detergents, clean or get a cover for surfaces to fold clothes on, etc. 
  • You can multitask and cook while doing a load. 
  • Go for smaller washing machines and dryer so it fits properly 
  • Pick a style and design model that mixes well with your other kitchen appliances.

When in doubt – Hide It Out 

This is great for people that do not want to be reminded of laundry when they are not doing it, and for smaller homes as well. If you have an unused closet, room, or space that can fit your appliances then create your laundry room there and forget about the hassle! 

The advantages of the hidden laundry room are in the name, no one can see it and it still has its one functional space. This can even work in mix with other spaces just hide your washer and dryer with a cabinet if you place them in the kitchen or elsewhere. 

Classic is best – The Galley Layout

This layout is one of the better recognized and most simple. Typically, laundry rooms with a galley layout are small and fitted to tight spaces. Using a small room you fit the washing machine and dryer to one side and use the other for storage, you could also add a sink for handwashing. You can also organize everything into one side with stacked washing machine and dryer sets, plus cabinets and a smaller sink. 

Make it fit you!

The most important takeaway from all these styles is to make the room work for you and your needs. So, whatever layout you choose make sure you put that before any other consideration and remember our numbers if your washing machine or dryer starts acting up

Happy Laundry Day!