Frequently Asked Appliance Related Inquiries

How often should I clean my ice machine?

Ensure all applicable water filters are replaced on their proper interval as well. Neglected filters can still flow water and not filter properly. Causing excess scale and wear-tear on the nickel plated evaporator coils.

For commercial ice machines, a three month cleaning schedule is recommended. For residential ice machines, every six months is recommended.

The location of your laundry room can determine where your dryer vent runs. If your laundry room is centrally located in your home, there’s a good chance your dryer vent runs vertically through the wall and ceiling before exhausting through the roof. This type of dryer vent system is more prone to lint buildup and restricted airflow, making regular maintenance especially important. We recommend having your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year to help maintain proper airflow, improve dryer efficiency, and reduce potential fire hazards.

If your laundry room has an exterior wall and your dryer vent runs directly through the wall to the outside, dryer vent cleaning and maintenance can usually be done without special tools. We recommend cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year to help maintain proper airflow, improve dryer efficiency, and reduce lint buildup. This type of dryer vent maintenance is DIY-friendly and can be an easy part of your annual home maintenance routine.

How often should I clean my dryer vent?

How Often Should I Descale My Espresso Machine?

How often you should descale your espresso machine depends on your machine, water quality, and how frequently you use it. Many high-end espresso machines have a built-in maintenance counter that tracks usage and lets you know when it’s time to descale. If your machine has this feature, we recommend following the manufacturer’s recommended descaling schedule.

For espresso machines without a built-in counter, descaling once a year is a good rule of thumb for most home users. Regular descaling helps remove mineral deposits and scale buildup from the internal water system, helping keep water flowing properly and reducing the risk of clogs and performance issues.

If you use your espresso machine frequently or have hard water, you may need to descale more often. Using filtered or properly treated water can also help reduce mineral buildup and extend the time between descaling.

Regular espresso machine maintenance and descaling can help protect your investment, maintain proper water flow, and keep your machine producing consistent espresso. When in doubt, always check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's specific descaling recommendations.

Honorable Mention: Superautomatic machines should have the brew unit replaced or rebuilt every 5,000 portions brewed for optimal brewing

Dishwashers are a balance of many things. Water quality, incoming water temperature, detergent type/brand, and how the diwasher is loaded. The best tip to immediately put into practice is to run your kitchen faucet until the water is coming out hot as it can be. This ensures that when the dishwasher starts it fills with already-hot water. Giving your dishwasher a head start on its job ahead. Water quality (Hard water) can contribute to mineral buildup and spotting, while water that isn’t hot enough can make it more difficult for detergent to dissolve and remove grease. A dirty or clogged dishwasher filter can also restrict performance and leave food particles behind. Even the detergent you use and the way you load your dishwasher can make a noticeable difference in cleaning results.

For the best dishwasher performance, keep the filter clean, use a quality detergent that works well with your water, make sure the dishwasher is receiving adequately heated water, and avoid overloading or improperly loading the racks. If your dishwasher still isn't cleaning properly after addressing these factors, it may be time for professional dishwasher service or repair.

Proper Dishwasher Maintenance

Proper Washing Machine Maintenance

Regular washing machine maintenance can help extend the life of your washer, prevent leaks, and keep it operating properly. Start by running the washer’s Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle, if your model has one. This helps remove detergent residue, buildup, and odors from inside the machine.

It’s also important to regularly inspect your washing machine water supply hoses for signs of cracking, bulging, corrosion, or leaks. Don’t wait for a hose to fail before replacing it. As a general maintenance guideline, standard rubber washer hoses have an expected service life of about 5 years, while stainless-steel braided hoses can last around 10 years when properly maintained.

Check the connections at both the washer and the water supply for any signs of moisture or corrosion. Replacing aging hoses proactively is inexpensive compared with dealing with a burst hose and the potential water damage it can cause.

For best results, keep up with your washer’s recommended cleaning cycles, inspect the hoses regularly, and address small leaks or unusual noises before they turn into bigger problems. A little preventive washer maintenance can help keep your washing machine running reliably for years.