Care & Maintenance
By Mariette Mifflin, About.com Guide to Housewares / Appliances
A certain amount of care and maintenance is needed in order to keep your appliances and housewares in top operating condition. In some cases, improper care can render your product warranty null and void, and can cause you needless expense.
- Large Appliance Care & Maintenance
- Small Electrics Care & Maintenance
- Comfort Appliances Care & Maintenance
- Cooling & Heating Appliance Care
- Kitchen & Tableware Care & Use
Large Appliance Care & Maintenance
Large appliances in today's market are, for many people, a major investment. With this in mind, keep your appliances in good operating condition if you want to enjoy them for many years.
- Appliance Parts & Repair Resources
- Appliance Set-Up Costs You Can Expect
- Appliances - How to Keep Them Working Longer
- Dishwasher FAQs, Care & Use
- Dryer Lint Filter Safety Concern
- Energy-Saving Tips for Your Appliances
- Extended Service Contracts - Pros & Cons
- Freezer 101 - Buying, Caring & FAQ's
- Freezer Care & Maintenance Tips
- Old Appliances - Donate Large Appliances
- HE Detergent - What it is and for What Type of Washer
- Laundry Appliance FAQs & Tips
- Range Front Controls May Not Be Suitable For Some Kitchens
- Refrigerator 101 - Buying, Caring & FAQ's
- Refrigerator Cleaning & Capacity
- Standby Refrigerators - How to Improve Their Efficiency
- Washers - About Front-Load High Efficiency Washers
- Take Time to Register Your Appliances
- Washers - Preventing Mold in a Front-Load Washer
Small Electrics Care & Maintenance
We often take our small appliances for granted and overlook that they too need care and occasional maintenance to keep them in good condition.
- 5 Time-Saving Features We Often Overlook
- Appliance Parts & Repair Resources
- Appliance Problems - How to Handle & Why Manufacturers Need to Know
- Benefits of Changing Appliance Filters
- Blenders & Food Processors - Care and Use Tips
- Bread Maker Care & Use Tips
- Coffee Maker & Tea Maker Care & Use
- Coffees, Teas, & Coffee Pod Supplies
- Crockpot Scentsations
- Donate Old Appliances
- Other Small Appliances - Tips & Care
- Rotisserie Care Tips
- Slow Cookers - Care & Use
- Tips to Extend Appliance Life
Comfort Appliances Care & Maintenance
Routine maintenance and care of your air quality appliances is crucial to their performance. Without occasional filter changes and cleaning, these appliances become clogged and unable to perform as they are designed. You can also reap great energy savings from caring for your appliances.
- Controlling Home Moisture
- Cool Comfort - Ways to Beat the Heat
- Air Cleaner/Purifier Care & Maintenance
- Air Cleaner - Does it Eliminate Dusting?
- Cooling & Heating Energy Saving
- HEPA Filters and Why They Are Preferred
- How to Install a Water Purifier on the Kitchen Faucet - Video
- Humidifiers - How to Care for Them
- Humidifiers & Dehumidifiers - Care & Use
- Humidifier Seasonal Maintenance Tips
- Managing Waste & Food Disposals vs Garbage Compactors
- Step by Step Portable Humidifier Maintenance
- What Does an Air Cleaner Ionizer Do?
- What's a Clean Air Delivery Rate? (CADR)
- What's Nano-Silver Technology?
- Where Should I Place the Air Cleaner?
- Which Way Should the Ceiling Fan Rotate?
Cooling & Heating Appliance Care
To get the best efficiency from your cooling and heating appliances, you must keep them in good working order. While the goal is to optimize the performance of your appliances, the resulting benefit is reduced energy consumption and that means more savings for you.
- Air Conditioners and How the CADR rate Applies
- Ceiling Fans - How to Set Them
- Convections vs Baseboard Heaters
- Furnace Filters and Why They Should Be Replaced
- Heat Stove Warm Air - Improve Circulation With an EcoFan
- Heat Wood Stove - Firewoods That Burn More Efficiently
- Heat Wood Stove - What Not to Burn in it
- Heating With Wood - What You Need to Know
- Heating With Wood - Heat Stove vs Pellet Stove
- How to Dispose of an Old Air Conditioner
- Keeping it Out Drafts With Electrical Insulators
- Why You Should Change Filters Regularly
Kitchen & Tableware Care & Use
Normal care is usually required for most kitchenware, but occasionally some items require a little extra to keep them in good order. Learn more about your kitchenware to maximize their potential.
- About Food Storage
- How to Set the Table
- How to Care for Cutting Boards
- How to Use Silicone Bakeware
- How to Use a Bundt Pan
- Canning 101
- China & Stemware Storage
- Food Preserving Resources
- Simple Knife Sharpening
- Knives & Cutlery - Use & Care
- Rosette Tools & How to Use Them
- Caring for Wooden Rolling Pins
- Keeping Bread Pans Looking Good
- Keeping Fruit Bowls Fresh
- Growing Sprouts Indoors
- How to Pack Your Dishes for Moving Day
- How to Use a Pastry Blender
- How to Install a Child-Proof Lock on Cabinet Doors - Video
- How to Get Started Recycling
- Vintage Meat Grinders
Cookware & Bakeware Care
Find out how to care for all types of cookware, from nonstick to cast iron.
- 10 Ways to Ruin a Non-Stick Pan
- Bundt Pan Basics - How to Use a Bundt Pan
- Caring for Stainless Steel Cookware
- How to Season Cast Iron
- Video: How to Season Cast Iron
- Cookware Racks - Handy Storage
- How to Fix Loose Pot Handles
- Pressure Cookers - Tips and Resources
- Selecting a Lasagna Pan
- Silicone Bakeware - Love it or Leave it - Tips from Readers
- Using Foil Roasters
Laundry & Fabric Care
From sorting your laundry to caring for your fine woolens, these tips will help make these chores a pleasant event.
- Can I Use Regular Detergent in a High-Effeciency Washer?
- Irons and Ironing Resources
- Laundry Basics - From Sorting to Drying
- Laundry Sorting - Make it a Family Affair
- Laundry Mesh Bags Protect Your Washer & Clothing
- HE Detergents & Front-Load Laundry Tips
- Using 2X Concentrated Detergents
- High Efficiency Washers Need HE Detergents
- Clothes Shavers - Keep Clothing Looking Good
- How to Assemble a Basic Sewing & Mending Kit
- How to Wash Wool Blankets
General Product Care
Appliances and most products usually come with a manual or brochure that includes care, use, and troubleshooting tips. These should be kept, since you may want to refer to it someday.
- 10 Reasons to Read Your Product Manual
- After the Purchase - When you First Bring it Home
- Battery FAQs
- Extended Service Contracts - Should You Get One
- How to Handle Appliance Concerns
- Need a Product Manual? Check This Brand & Manufacturer Listing
- Product Recall Resources
- Why You Should Register Your Product
- Which Battery is Right?
Vacuum & Floor Care & Use Tips
While a steam carpet cleaner is optional, a vacuum is a home essential, but to keep it operating well, this cleaning tool needs a lot of care and maintenance.
