Canadian Living – September 2019

HOME & GARDEN housekeeping

Household appliances are the work-

horses of our homes. They’re used

constantly to perform important

tasks that make our daily chores

easier to handle. Keeping them run-

ning smoothly reduces waste and

saves you money. Keep reading

for tips on how to maintain these

essential machines.

TEXT EMMANUELLE MOZAYAN-VERSCHAEVE

In the Kitchen

The Refrigerator It’s important not to obstruct

the ventilation ducts inside the fridge, otherwise the appli ance

will have to work harder to bring the temperature down and

circulate cool air. Before opening the fridge, think about what

you want, as the longer the door is open, the more humid air

enters and more cool air is lost.

Maintenance: The condenser coils on most newer refriger-

ators are located on the bottom rather than the back, like on

ROGHUPRGHOV,W¶VUHFRPPHQGHGWRFOHDQWKHÀRRUDUHDRIDOO

dust and debris, and vacuum the grill element at least once

a year. If you own a pet, do this cleaning routine every four

months, as animal hair is attracted to the appliance’s ventila-

tion system. It’s also a good idea to clean the rubber around

the doors with soapy water and a soft cloth.

The Dishwasher The proper installation of

your dishwasher is extremely important. The drain hose

PXVWEHLQWKHSURSHUSRVLWLRQWRSUHYHQWEDFNÀRZRU

improper drainage. And remember, this appliance is not a

JDUEDJHELQ²FOHDQR̆DOOH[FHVVIRRGEHIRUHSODFLQJGLVKHV

on the rack, even if the unit features a grinder. If not, the

debris can clog the pump.

Maintenance: If you use your dishwasher daily, run a

monthly cleaning cycle with a commercial cleaning solu-

WLRQRUDFXSRIZKLWHYLQHJDU2QFHWKHF\FOHLV¿QLVKHG

leave the door open so that everything can dry and bacteria

doesn’t form, notably on the waterproof door seal. This

area can be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth.

clean sweep

68 | CANADIAN LIVING SEPTEMBER 2019