6 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Appliances

New York Times

2 days ago

In this edition of The Recommendation, our appliance experts share the tips they swear by. Plus: how to master your microwave.
Many daily appliances have dense manuals and myriad technical features, all of which can be pretty overwhelming to parse. But just a few small, simple tweaks — like using a different setting on your washer or giving your vacuum cleaner some routine TLC — can help make your machine work its best and save you from a preventable, costly visit from a handyman.
Here are the tips our journalists, who have spent countless years testing appliances, chatting with repair technicians, and more, swear by.
Use rinse aid every time you run your dishwasher: Though it might seem superfluous, rinse aid — a liquid that can prevent those murky water spots on your glassware — can help you get the most out of your dishwasher. Your machine is designed to use it. And no, despite what certain corners of TikTok say, there's no evidence that rinse aid harms your gut.
Though it might seem superfluous, rinse aid — a liquid that can prevent those murky water spots on your glassware — can help you get the most out of your dishwasher. Your machine is designed to use it. And no, despite what certain corners of TikTok say, there's no evidence that rinse aid harms your gut. Make cold water the default setting on your washing machine: As writer Liam McCabe puts it: 'If you're not adjusting the settings on your washing machine's control panel, you're doing your laundry wrong.' Our experts recommend using cold water for most loads. It does a pretty good job at busting stains, and it can keep your clothes looking better for longer.
As writer Liam McCabe puts it: 'If you're not adjusting the settings on your washing machine's control panel, you're doing your laundry wrong.' Our experts recommend using cold water for most loads. It does a pretty good job at busting stains, and it can keep your clothes looking better for longer. If your vacuum seems weaker than it used to be, give it a 10-minute tune up: Every vacuum needs some maintenance. Beyond emptying the dust bin when it's full, you'll need to wash or replace your filters, cut out any hair and threads that have gotten tangled in the spinning brush, and clear out any clogs — all of which can prevent your vacuum from breaking after just a couple years.
Every vacuum needs some maintenance. Beyond emptying the dust bin when it's full, you'll need to wash or replace your filters, cut out any hair and threads that have gotten tangled in the spinning brush, and clear out any clogs — all of which can prevent your vacuum from breaking after just a couple years. Clean your dryer's exhaust hose every year: You probably know to clean the lint filter after every cycle. But lint also builds up in the exhaust hose, which can be a tremendous fire hazard if left unchecked. A wire brush or a leaf blower can help you clear it out. And our appliance expert recommends picking one day each year to clean your vent — Labor Day, the first day of spring, the beginning or the end of daylight saving time, whatever works for you.
You probably know to clean the lint filter after every cycle. But lint also builds up in the exhaust hose, which can be a tremendous fire hazard if left unchecked. A wire brush or a leaf blower can help you clear it out. And our appliance expert recommends picking one day each year to clean your vent — Labor Day, the first day of spring, the beginning or the end of daylight saving time, whatever works for you. Use ice cubes to de-stink your garbage disposal: Though garbage disposals are constantly rinsed with water, stubborn and odor-causing grit and grime tend to stick around. Fortunately, cleaning a garbage disposal is relatively quick and easy: All you need is dish soap, hot water, and ice cubes.
Though garbage disposals are constantly rinsed with water, stubborn and odor-causing grit and grime tend to stick around. Fortunately, cleaning a garbage disposal is relatively quick and easy: All you need is dish soap, hot water, and ice cubes. Something you can (probably) skip: The majority of people don't need to clean the condenser coils hidden in the back of the fridge ever — modern fridges have been designed to fully protect those elements. The exception? If you have a luxury built-in fridge or just a really old model, you do need to get in there at least one a year.