Help appliances live longer

Range

• Place heavy pots gently on smoothtops to avoid breakage.
• Never cover drip pans with foil, which can short-circuit the burner.
• Keep reflector bowls beneath burners shiny, which helps them reflect heat.
• Periodically clean gas burner ports with a needle.
• Don't poke the igniter or spray it with cleaners.

Refrigerator

• Clean dust from compressor coils every few months (shown above).
• Clean door gaskets with mild detergent and water.
• Check gasket seals by closing doors on a dollar bill. Replace gasket if the bill falls out.
• Keep door-opening to a minimum. Every time you open the door, cold air escapes and is replaced by warmer, more humid air.

Oven

• Check door seals for damage. If heat is escaping, adjust or replace the gasket.

Dishwasher

• When loading, make sure no dishware can touch the spray arms.
• Inspect spray arms for debris that can clog holes.
• If the dishwasher has a manual-clean filter, clean it regularly, per manufacturer's instructions.

Washing machine

• Remove grit from screens where the hoses attach to the water supply.
• Don't load beyond the washer's recommended capacity.
• Install the washer on a level and well-supported floor.
• Heed detergent directions.

Dryer

• Clean lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely.
• Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to prevent fire.