We've fixed thousands of Memphis appliances and learned which small habits dramatically extend their life. None of these take more than 5 minutes a month.
Refrigerator
- Vacuum the coils twice a year. Dust on the condenser coils is the #1 killer of fridges in the Memphis humidity. Twice a year, pull the kick-plate and vacuum.
- Don't pack the freezer to the gills. Air needs to circulate around items. A 70% full freezer cools efficiently; a stuffed one strains the compressor.
- Check door gaskets quarterly. Close a dollar bill in the door — if it pulls out easily, the gasket has compressed. A $90 gasket replacement saves you $40/month on utility bills.
Dishwasher
- Clean the filter monthly. Two minutes. Unscrew, rinse, replace. This single habit prevents 60% of "not draining" calls.
- Run a hot wash cycle empty with vinegar quarterly. Place a cup of white vinegar in the upper rack and run a hot cycle. Dissolves mineral buildup.
- Don't pre-rinse heavily. Modern detergents need food residue to work properly. Scrape, don't rinse.
Washing machine
- Leave the door open between loads (front-loads especially). Lets the drum dry; prevents mildew on the rubber gasket.
- Wipe the gasket monthly. Black mold loves that crevice. Damp cloth + a tiny bit of dish soap.
- Run a clean cycle monthly with washer cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar.
Dryer
- Clean the lint trap every load. Yes, every load.
- Clean the dryer vent annually. Lint past the trap accumulates in the vent ductwork. This is the #1 cause of house fires from dryers and it kills dryer efficiency too.
Oven
- Skip the self-clean cycle on older ovens. The extreme heat (900°F) is the leading cause of control-board failures on ovens 8+ years old. Use a damp paper towel and Bar Keepers Friend on stubborn spots instead.
When something does break
Call (901) 562-9437 — we'll talk through it on the phone first, and if it needs a tech we'll usually be there the same day.