Spring Cleaning Hacks to Keep Your Appliances Running Smoothly

National Cleaning Week (March 24-30, 2024) is upon us! That means it’s time to gear up for the time-honored tradition of spring cleaning. According to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), a whopping 95% of American households engage in some form of spring cleaning, with 74% turning it into an annual ritual. And when it comes to spring cleaning priorities, kitchens (64%), bedrooms (61%), and bathrooms (59%) top the list.

Our Samsung Care team has some spring-cleaning hacks to keep your household appliances and devices in tip-top shape. Not only does proper maintenance extend these products’ lifespan, it also boosts energy efficiency, saving you time and money in the long run. Let’s dive in!

Keep Your Vacuum Ready for Cleaning Sprees

Spring cleaning puts your vacuum to the test, especially as you move furniture to access those hard-to-reach spots. This leads to quicker build-up of dirt and debris in your Jet Stick or any vacuum. To maintain peak performance throughout your cleaning spree, prioritize your vacuum maintenance.

Aside from emptying the vacuum canister, make a habit of cleaning the dustbin and filter regularly. For stick vacuums, the canister or dustbin contains a Motor Filter and Fine Dust Filter. Clean the dustbin before it fills up or reaches the Max sign. As for the filter, aim to clean it once a month. Did you know you can easily clean both the dustbin and washable filter under running water? Make sure they’re fully dry (we recommend air drying in the shade for 24 hours) before putting the vacuum back together. Dive deeper on how to clean and care for your Jet Stick.

Stay on Top of Washer Maintenance

Spring cleaning is an ideal time to wash things you may not clean as often, such as pillows, duvets, curtains, or cloth toys. Samsung offers a variety of washing machine models, each equipped with different wash cycles. Explore the cycles, settings, and features available on your Samsung washing machine to maximize its efficiency during your spring cleaning spree. For energy savings, opt for the Eco Wash or Eco Cold setting, ideal for gentle and energy-efficient care of normal and lightly soiled laundry using cold water only.

All those loads of laundry means it’s important to pay attention to the maintenance of your washer. When it comes to washers, only front load washers have filters that you can access. These filters prevent blockages to the washer’s pump at the central base of the unit, unlike top load washers that rely on gravity to filter.

We recommend cleaning the filter of your front-load washer at least once a month. To do this…:

• Locate the flap on the lower left-hand side of the washer, open it, and remove the cap from the hose by turning it counterclockwise to drain residual water into a bucket or pan.
• Open the filter cap slowly to allow water to flow out fully, being cautious as 4 to 5 cups of water may drain at once.
• Once drained, remove and clean the drain cap under warm water.
• While you have the filter removed, check inside the drain area for any loose items. This simple routine keeps your washer running smoothly.

Here are three more helpful washer – and dryer – tidbits:

• Consider cleaning out your door gasket. Pull back the folds of the gasket and check for any missing socks or buildup. Use a light bleach and water mixture and some paper towels to clean the folds.
• Invest in laundry cleaning products to keep your drum clean and free of buildup. Use these products every couple of months to keep your unit in tip top shape. Oh, and avoid internet hacks like using dishwasher tablets to clean your washer drum as they are not proven to be effective.
• And, don’t overlook your dryer! Find out how to clean your Samsung dryer for the best performance.

Keep Your Kitchen Hero, aka the Microwave, in Top Shape

Don’t overlook the hardworking appliances that operate quietly in the heart of your home — your kitchen. In many homes, the microwave is the go-to kitchen appliance. Microwaves are equipped with either a removable grease filter (OTR) or a recirculation filter. How can you tell them apart? If you remove the filter and it’s clean without any grease or residue, your microwave likely has a filter for ventilation only.

As a general rule, you should clean the grease filter every three months. However, if you use your microwave frequently, consider cleaning it more often, perhaps every four to six weeks. For a recirculation filter, it’s best to change or clean it every six months. To keep your microwave filter clean, simply hand-rinse it with hot water, soap, and a mild detergent. After washing, give it a light shake to dry. If you’re pressed for time, you can also put the grease filter in the dishwasher since they’re typically made of stainless steel. Read more on how to clean a Samsung microwave.

Decipher Your Dishwasher’s Cleaning Needs

Since your dishwasher’s job is to clean, it’s easy to overlook that it has its own cleaning needs. Cleaning your dishwasher filter varies depending on how often you use your dishwasher, such as:

• If you use your dishwasher 1-3 times per week: Clean the filter regularly.
• If you wash dishes before loading: Clean the filter once per year.
• If you scrape and rinse before loading: Clean the filter once per year.
• If you scrape only before loading: Clean the filter twice per year.
• If you don’t scrape or rinse before loading: Clean the filter every two months.

Here’s a helpful tip: For a quick clean, try running a cycle with a drink mix like Tang. Its citric acid base can help deep clean your dishwasher and leave it smelling fresh.

For water conservation and energy-savings, consider using the “auto” setting in the cycle mode. Dishwashers come with sensors that detect the soil level of your load, allowing them to adjust the cycle and save water. Compared to settings like “heavy” or “express,” which use a fixed amount of water, selecting the “auto” mode can save up to three gallons per cycle. Learn more about how to routine and deep clean your Samsung dishwasher.

Don’t Forget Your Mobile Accessories

The warm spring weather means you might be spending more time outdoors – walking, biking or other exercise. This is a good time to clean your watches and ear buds, which may be exposed to sweat and sunscreen.

• Clean your Galaxy Watch with a soft, lint-free cloth, and dry it thoroughly. If your watch gets stained or contains any foreign materials, wipe it with a moistened, soft bristle toothbrush – and make sure to avoid using soap, cleaning agents, abrasive materials or compressed air. You can also turn on Water lock mode on your watch to prevent accidental touches on your screen while you’re cleaning it.
• If you enjoy using your Galaxy Buds, make sure to clean and care for them regularly. Dust, earwax, and other debris can accumulate in the earbuds and make audio seem muffled, or prevent the earbuds from charging correctly. When cleaning your earbuds, avoid using liquids like alcohol or soapy water. Opt for a cotton swab or soft cloth or brush. Check out more tips on how to how to clean your Samsung earbuds.

Make spring cleaning a breeze for revitalizing your home, appliances and devices with these handy tips. Check out more Samsung Care news and advice here.

@samsungus These are 5 helpful tech habits from Samsung Care that can easily become a part of your routine and help you get the most of out of your devices. Need a hand? Samsung Care can help with maintenance and repair anytime, anywhere. #samsungcare #techtips #springcleaning ♬ Let Go – Button

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