Basic maintenance and service info to help your home appliances last longer

Inspect water fill hoses periodically for weakness, cracks or bulging & replace if necessary. "No burst" stainless hoses are available.
If easily accessible, turn taps off when not in use & when away from home.
Try not to "over soap" the wash load - it can lead to problems, odours, poor rinsing and scum build-up inside the machine (our local water is relatively soft so we need less than the recommended amount of detergent).
All detergents work better with warmer water - when your fabrics allow it, use warm or hot water.
Remember, front-loader machines require "HE" grade low sudsing detergents - if you can see lots of suds you are probably using too much.
Front-loader washers - clean and dry the rubber door seal after each use to prevent smells and mildew from forming.

be sure to empty pockets before washing clothes

The importance of good venting cannot be overstated. It is the number one thing for the long life and proper operation of the machine. Ensure your dryer vent to the exterior is clear, and not kinked or crushed. A good rule of thumb is "as short and straight as possible."
Clean lint screen after every load & periodically wash the screen to avoid clogging
Periodic disassembly of machine is advised to clean out lint build-up

keep dryer vent airflow unrestricted

Most refrigerators run best with their controls set around mid-range.
Keep the door gaskets & sealing face of your fridge clean with warm soapy water - sticky build-up can cause gaskets to tear.
The freezer should be kept at least half full of food to maintain even temperatures.
Clean the condenser coils under the fridge, or at the rear if accessible, this greatly helps the operation and efficiency of the compressor. See photos below:

before & after cleaning condenser coils

Best to mostly use the normal or full cycles instead of quick, short cycles.
For best results, use a good quality detergent. All detergents will work better with hotter water. Use the water heating cycle & run hot water to the sink before starting the machine.
Minimal detergent use is best as our water supply is very soft and will over-suds easily.
It is not necessary or recommended to pre-wash the dishes, only scraping off the larger, non-disolvables from dishes, especially things like pits, shells and bones etc., which can block and restrict the draining cycle.
A periodic cleaning/maintenance cycle will help keep interior and filters clean. With your dishwasher empty, run a full cycle with citric acid crystals in the soap compartment.

dirty dishwasher filters