Tag: clean

How Long is The Lifespan of Your Appliance?

Posted on by info@techreach.io

What’s the lifespan of each appliance in your household? This article tells you how long you can expect your washer, fridge or dryer should last.

Are you in the process of buying some new appliances for your home? Before spending a lot of money on an appliance, it can be interesting to know how long you can expect it to last. Or maybe you need to replace one of your appliances and you are wondering if it’s worth buying a used appliance such as a washing machine that is almost five years old?

That’s why we have decided to write this article on the lifespan of different appliances. You will find out how many years a dryer should last and after what time you might have to replace the range hood in your kitchen.

Anyhow, if one of your appliances stops working, we encourage you to have it checked up before giving up on it. Our experienced technicians might find a way to repair your stove or the beloved microwave that has never failed you before. You can contact us online or by calling +1 (888) 513-0052 or +1 (289) 801-7857 during our office hours (Mon – Sun from 8 am – 10 pm).

Furthermore, there is one reason why you shouldn’t be too disappointed if you need to replace your appliance. New appliances cost a lot in the beginning, but they have a much lower energy consumption compare to old appliances.

What Factors Influence the Lifespan of Appliances?

Many different factors influence the lifespan of your appliance, such as the brand and the quality or how often you use it. Furthermore, it is important to clean your appliance and maintain it regularly.

Lifespan of Dishwashers

The dishwasher in your kitchen can last up to 12 years. Newer dishwashers have the benefit of using less water and energy. They are also more efficient in the way they are designed.

Lifespan of Washing Machines

On average, a washing machine should be replaced after 11 and 15 years these days. Having that said, older washing machines that were manufactured a few centuries ago might still be working. But as mentioned before, they use a lot more energy than newer models.

Lifespan of Dryers

The average dryer lasts between 10 and 13 years. There are many things that you can do to extend its lifespan, for example by cleaning the lint trap regularly.

Lifespan of Fridges

Your fridge should last about 13 years before it needs to be replaced. Have a look at these tips on how you can expand the lifespan of a fridge as we have collected them in an earlier blog post.

Lifespan of HVAC Appliances

You can expect your heating, ventilation or air conditioning system in your household to last for a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. On average, air conditioning units will last a bit shorter, between 10 and 15 years. Nevertheless, all of these appliances require regular maintenance to keep working efficiently and to expand their lifespan.

Lifespan of Stoves / Ovens

The stove and oven in your kitchen should last around 10 to 15 years. After that time, you might experience problems with the bake element or the control board.

Lifespan of a Microwave

Nowadays, microwaves last for around seven years, depend on the usage. If used a lot without being cleaned and maintained properly, a microwave might need to be replaced after around five years already.

Our Tip: Save Up Before your Appliance Break

It is always good to be prepared if you know that your appliance comes towards the end of their lifespan. Therefore, you should make sure to have some money on the side so you can afford a new appliance immediately after the old one gave up!

How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Washing Machine

Posted on by info@techreach.io

Home appliances like washing machines or dryers are expensive investments. Therefore, you want to make sure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to prolong the lifespan of your washing machine.

Isn’t it just the best feeling to have a washing machine that allows you to do your laundry at home instead of going to a laundromat?! Washing machines used to be appliances that were made to serve you some decades but unfortunately, the lifespan of modern washers is shorter. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to prolong their life span and that will make sure, your appliance will last as long as possible.

1. Prevent your washing machine from getting moldy

You might think that a washing machine might be able to stay clean themselves since it manages to clean everything inside. But often detergent or fabric softeners remain in the machine and that, together with water, can serve mold as a food source. Therefore, you should clean the appliance regularly and use a disinfectant for glass and gasket. Furthermore, it is important to remove clothes from the washing machine as soon as the appliance is done and keep the door of the washing machine or dryer open when they are not in use.

2. Make sure to keep your appliances level

During the spinning cycle, the drum of your washing machine has to spin at a high speed. If the machine is unsteady, it can lead to excessive vibration that will cause damage to the appliance. Therefore, make sure that the appliance has all feet firmly on the floor and use a level to check it’s correctly adjusted on each side.

3. Do not use too much detergent

Especially newer washing machines don’t need a lot of detergents to get your clothes clean. By using too much detergent, your washer has to work harder. It could even cause an extra rinse cycle, which uses extra energy and will shorten the lifespan of your washer.

4. Don’t wash too many clothes at once

You might think, that it’s a good idea to stuff all your clothes into the washer to get them cleaned in just one washing cycle. But as a matter of fact, that is not the best idea – and we will tell you why. Firstly, clothes need enough room to move around in the drum. Secondly, too much weight in the washing machine means that the motor has to work harder. Thirdly, it could mean that your clothes are not getting cleaned properly which would result in another washing cycle. All of that will rather shorten the lifespan of your washing machine instead of prolonging it.

5. Get your washing machine checked-up regularly

Once in a while, it also makes sense to have your appliances checked from a professional. We would love to assist you with that! Our experienced technicians work every day from 8 am to 10 pm all over the GTA. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us online or call us: +1 (888) 513-0052 or +1 (289) 801-7857. They are also to help you installing a new washing machine – if you don’t feel confident installing it yourself.

How to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances

Posted on by info@techreach.io

Are you waiting for the perfect time to clean your kitchen appliances?! Not only do we have the best advice when you should clean them, but also some good tips on how to clean your appliances quickly and effectively.  

When was the last time you cleaned your kitchen appliances? As winter is approaching, you’ll probably spend more of your weekends inside than during the summer months. So, this makes it the perfect time to give your kitchen a good scrub. If you clean your appliances regularly, you can also expand their lifespan. And: It makes it more fun to use them and prevents them from needing repair.

Anyway, if you need to get a broken appliance repaired or need help with the installation of a new appliance, you can contact us online or give us a call: 1 (289) 801-7857 or +1 (888) 513-0052. Our technicians are available from 8 am to 10 pm in the Greater Toronto Area and we offer $30 off for first-time customers.

How to Remove Grease from Your Appliances

What do you need? One lemon, kitchen towel

How to do it: To remove grease stains from your appliances, you can simply use a lemon. Cut it in half and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then you can start rubbing it on all kitchen appliances that have grease on them. Repeat this with the other half of the lemon if necessary. Finally, wipe the lemon away with a kitchen towel – you’ll see how easily you can clean the grease stains.   

How to Clean a Burnt Stove

What do you need? Salt / White vinegar, baking soda, newspaper

How to do it: If you’ve spilled some food on your stove while cooking, it works best to sprinkle salt on it before it cools down as that will make it easy to peel it off. In case you want to clean other stains on the cooktop, you should cover them with white vinegar and sprinkle some baking soda on it. Give it some time to set before you start scrubbing it away with a newspaper. Furthermore, you can use a dry towel to clean the stove from the vinegar and baking soda.

How to Remove Bad Smells from Your Fridge

What do you need? Baking soda, vinegar, vanilla

How to do it: Everyone knows that feeling: You’re opening the fridge and it just smells horrible. Honestly, that can ruin your appetite. So, if you want to get rid of these smells, you should make sure to throw all the old food away. Then, scrub the surfaces with baking soda and warm water. After cleaning it, mix some baking soda with a tablespoon of vanilla and put it in the fridge. From now on, your fridge will smell fresh and clean!

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

What do you need? Vinegar, microfiber cloth, oil, paper towel

How to do it: Are there some fingerprints on your stainless steel appliances? Well, don’t worry. Nothing is easier than to wipe them away and make them look shiny and new. Firstly, spray vinegar on the appliances. Wipe it down in the direction of the grain by using paper towels. Finally, dip a microfiber cloth in a bit of oil and use that cloth to polish the appliance.

 

If you want to know how you can clean your dishwasher, you’ll find some good tips in this previous blog post. You can find more tips on our Facebook page and our Instagram account. Follow us so you’ll never miss a new tip!

 

How to Unclog the Drain of a Washing Machine

Posted on by info@techreach.io

Is your washing machine not doing its job anymore because of a clogged drain? Here is how you diagnose and fix the problem!

Every time we use our washing machine, we put dirty clothes into the appliance and expect them to come out clean. And as long as your appliance is working properly, this will be true.

Unfortunately, with every washing cycle, dirt and soap can get stuck in the trap or the drain of the appliance. After some time this can cause a blockage which could mean that your machine won’t be able to drain the water. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber or a technician to get the washing machine fixed. By reading our tips, you can also unclog the drain of your washing machine yourself.

Disconnect the Drain Hose from the Washing Machine

Before you start doing that, make sure to unplug your appliance from the mains. Furthermore, you want to get the water out of the drum. To bail the water out, you’ll need to find the drain hose and disconnect it from the appliance. Don’t forget to hold a bucket underneath the hose unless you want your bathroom to be flooded.

Clean the Drain Hose and the Washing Machine Trap

Next, you want to see if there is a piece of cloth or dirt stuck in the drain. If that is the case and you can remove it, this might already solve the problem. Also, the trap can be dirty or clogged, so you want to have a look at that too. You can unscrew the trap completely and rinse it with warm water to clean it.

Use a Plumber’s Snake

If the drain hose looks clean, the problem might lay a bit deeper. To reach the clog there and to clean it, you can use a plumber’s snake. After that, it’s time to try if the washing machine can drain again. If it still doesn’t work, you will have to use chemicals.

Chemicals to Prevent a Clogged Drain

The use of chemicals is recommended if you tried all the other tips and couldn’t find the solution to the clogged drain yet or if you want to make sure to keep it working and unclogged. Therefore, you should use chemicals that includes enzymes, alkaline or sulfuric acid every other month (or every month, depending on how often you use your appliance) to clean the drain from dirt.

Be careful when using chemicals and follow the instructions given on the on their back. Try to pour a little drop first to see how the drain hose reacts to it. Usually, it should bubble or slide the dirt away. We also recommend that you protect your hands with rubber gloves while doing that. Please don’t mix the chemicals with other liquids as this can cause a reaction that can be quite dangerous for you.

If a clogged drain is not the problem you are facing with your appliance, you might want to look at the blog post where we have listed three common washing machine problems and how to fix them. If you can’t locate the problem, you can also call us or contact us online to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians. It is helpful if you provide as much information as possible when calling us, such as the brand of the washing machine and the potential problem to make sure our technicians bring the right pieces for your washing machine.

How to Clean your Dishwasher

Posted on by info@techreach.io

Does a dishwasher clean itself while cleaning the dishes? No. Here is why that assumption is wrong and why you really should start cleaning your dishwasher now.

Your dishwasher does its best to provide you with clean dishes every day. But while doing that, grease, soap scum, water minerals and food debris are getting stuck in the filter or the interior walls and leaving the dishwasher dirtier after every washing cycle. Just remember: If the appliance isn’t clean, your dishes won’t be either.

A dirty dishwasher is a perfect breeding ground for germs but it also reduces the life span and the efficiency of the appliance. Soon, your dishwasher might need to get repaired or it can even turn into a threat to your health:

Studies are showing that germs from dishwashers, such as the black yeast-like fungi ,can lead to serious diseases and breathing problems.

Do you need more reasons to start cleaning your dishwasher regularly?! No? Well, then read our instructions carefully to find out how it works!

How should I clean the dishwasher?

 You need:

  • distilled white vinegar
  • baking soda

First of all, pull out the bottom rack of your appliance. Remove the drainage strainer from the bottom of the dishwasher. Have a look if there is anything clogging the holes such as food debris or paper labels that came off a jar while washing. Pull out the bottom rack and remove leftover food that may have fallen into the well with paper towels. You should do this not only once  a month but after every dishwasher-cycle if possible.

In the next step, you’ll have to clean the area around the drain. To scrub stuck items away use a soft-bristled brush that you dip into vinegar to clean. Don’t put the vinegar away yet, as you will also need it for the next step:

Fill a bowl with vinegar and put it into the dishwasher – don’t fill it directly into the rinse-aid dispenser. Why not? Vinegar is a strong acid and could easily melt the rubber gaskets in the rinse-aid dispenser. Close the door and run a complete cycle on the hottest setting but without the drying cycle. The vinegar will make sure there is no grease left in your dishwasher.

When the first washing cycle is done, you’ll need to get the baking soda out. Sprinkle it on the inside floor of the dishwasher before you run a quick wash cycle on the hottest setting again. Skip the drying cycle and open the door of your appliance when the rinsing is done so the inside of your appliance can dry properly. Not only will your dishwasher look shiny after that, the baking soda will also take away all the bad odors.

How often should I clean my dishwasher?

An average household uses a dishwasher up to 110 times a year – that is more than twice a week. To make sure you keep bacteria out of it, you should clean the dishwasher once a month as explained above. If you stick to this routine, thorough cleaning is only needed once or twice a year.

By following this easy routine, you’ll make sure that your dishwasher will work properly, and it will extend the life span of the appliance. Who knew that a bit of baking soda and vinegar could save you a lot of money, time and troubles!