Household appliances have lifespan

Heloise
Heloise

Dear Readers: How long is a refrigerator or washing machine supposed to last? Have you ever wondered what the life expectancy is for major appliances? We've all had appliances quit working years before we expected them to. Then it seems friends or family have appliances that never seem to stop working. Here is a general guideline/overview of the average life spans of some appliances:
Central air conditioner: 10-15 years
Refrigerator: 13-15 years
Washing machine: 10-13 years
Clothes dryer: 13-15 years
Dishwasher: 10 years
How long an appliance works depends on how often it is used (or how rarely) and how well you care for it. Inspect it once in a while, and have professionals check for maintenance services. Changing air filters for the air conditioner on a regular basis is crucial for keeping air-conditioning units running.-Heloise

BEWARE OF MONITOR
Dear Heloise: I saw the hint in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News about keeping an open baby monitor by the doorbell. This brings some risks.
When my children were small, we had a baby monitor in a bedroom, with the speaker in the living room. Two people decided to have a confidential discussion in the deserted hallway just outside the bedroom. Suddenly, all the folks at the party could overhear the discussion. Somebody ran out to let them know, but the damage was done. Be aware of open baby monitors.-Don P. in Ohio
Don, wow! Probably one in a million, but still worth noting. Thanks!-Heloise

MINI FLASHLIGHT
Dear Heloise: It's annoying that computer manufacturers put black buttons on a black background. (HELOISE HERE: I am in complete agreement! I put red or purple nail polish on the "on" button so I don't have to fumble around looking for the right button!) I've found that one of the handiest things to keep around is a mini LED flashlight. To find a black-on-black button, I just take out my mini LED flashlight.
One type of LED flashlight I've found especially useful is a laptop reading light. These can be clipped onto books for reading, or carried around like a flashlight. I keep one by my bed so that if I get up, I don't interrupt my wife's sleeping. This has become my go-to flashlight. I even use it when I walk our dog at night.-Alan S., via email

DRIED OUT
Dear Heloise: I do occasional woodworking and use wood filler to cover screw heads and such. In the past, I have had a problem with the wood filler drying out over time. I place it in a leftover food-storage container, along with a damp sponge. This maintains 100 percent humidity in the container, and the wood filler does not dry out!-David H., Jefferson, Maine

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to [email protected]. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate

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