We have all been there. You move from one place to another and you have to put some appliances in storage for whatever reason. You have had a washer and dryer in storage for years before needing to fire it up again. Can you just plug that appliance in again and expect it to work, or do you need to give it some attention before using it again? The simple answer is that you should definitely get it checked out.
That being said, we have put together some quick checklist items that you can reference when taking an appliance out of storage and using it again.
Washer
Due to the fact this is a water-based appliance, there are several things you will want to check right out of the gate to ensure the machine is in good working order:
- Check to see if the fittings and hoses are still okay and not cracked or insecure.
- The inside barrel may have developed mold/mildew if you did not permit it to dry before putting it in storage, so you will definitely want to give that a look as well as running a cleaning cycle once it is hooked back up and before doing any laundry.
- Once the washer is back up and running, keep an eye on the first few cycles to make sure there are no leaks.
Dryer
The dryer will not have as many possible problems as the washer, but you will definitely want to give it a once over to make sure there are no real issues:
- Make sure vent hose is properly connected and that it has no holes or damage
- Check outside vent to make sure that is working properly
- Check for signs of animal infestation in the vents if they have not been used in some time
Dishwasher
So, this is another water appliance that if left dormant for some time could possibly have mold/mildew issues:
- Check interior of machine for any mold/mildew issues
- Check all hoses and drains to make sure they are not cracked or leaking, as well as being connected properly
- Run a cleaning cycle with a cleaning tab to ensure the machine is sanitized before running a cycle with your dishes
Refrigerator/Freezer
If the unit had been left running, there should not really be any issues, but still give it a once over to make sure everything is operating okay. If the unit was off, you are going to want to check for mold/mildew buildup, including around the gaskets.
In the case of any appliances that have not been used in some time, especially if you are just moving in somewhere and multiple appliances, it is always a safe bet to call a local appliance repair technician to give everything a once over before you use them again.
