Your washer and dryer are two of the hardest working appliances in the household, so they need to be kept at peak operating condition. Some regular maintenance can avoid much costlier repairs, and both machines will enjoy longer life with regular care.

Make sure dryer vents are clear

if you begin to notice that clothes come out of your dryer still damp after a full cycle, check the interior vent for lint buildup and any kind of debris blockage. You should also check the exhaust pipe at the back of the dryer and the outdoor vent connection for lint and debris.

Check hoses regularly

Like anything made of rubber, your washer's hoses can become brittle or cracked over time. To avoid burst hoses and flooding in your washing area, check on rubber hoses periodically and replace them as needed. It's also a good idea to make sure your wash machine is at least 4 inches away from the wall, so the hoses do not develop kinks.

Keep your washer level

If you've noticed excessive vibration, shaking, or rolling during the spin cycle, your washer is probably not leveled correctly. This can cause a great deal of harm to the washer over a period of time, and it's a very simple thing to avoid. Adjust each foot on the washer to an appropriate height which stabilizes the machine, and causes little or no vibration during operation. It may take a couple test runs to observe the spin cycle each time, but maintaining a level washer is important and worth the effort.

Conserve detergent

Many people use too much detergent in a load of wash, and it can leave a residue on the washer. Make sure you only use as much detergent as recommended on the label.

Don't overload

If your dryer is overloaded, it won't dry clothes properly, and if you washer is overloaded, it may cause your machine to shake and move around on the floor.