It probably shouldn't need to be said, but considering the number of people who do absolutely nothing in the area of caring for their possessions, I'll point out the obvious anyway: It's a good idea to take care of your electronics. There I said it. Even if you already have a manufacturer's warranty and an extended warranty in place, it's still a good idea. The warranty will cover you if the item breaks down, and of course anything can break down, but wouldn't you like to minimize the chances of that happening if you could?
OK, so hopefully you understand the importance of proper maintenance. Now, maybe you're wondering how to do it. Well below is a list to get you started.
First of all, keep them clear of dust. Dust is one of the great killers of electronics. It gets inside the casing, attaches itself to wires, motherboards and pretty much anything that produces an electric pulse, then it fries them. Keep dust away. There are right ways and wrong ways to clean off dust.
Dusting/Cleaning:
1. Use a damp, lint-free cloth and either water or a mild cleaning agent. Don't use any harsh cleaning solvents because they can do a lot of harm, especially to your expensive LCD or plasma television screen.
2. In order to clean your plasma or LCD screen use a special cleaner and anti-static cloth designed specifically for those screens (which you can find at most electronics retailers). Don't use regular glass cleaners.
3. Gently. Don't apply too much pressure or you might damage your component, especially fragile TV screens.
4. Spray the cleaning solution onto the cloth first and then wipe. Never spray it directly onto the item you're cleaning. Electronics and liquids don't mix.
5. If you do spill liquid onto anything electronic, unplug it immediately and have it looked at by a qualified professional before you plug it back in.
6. Never use a vacuum to pick up dust. Vacuums create static and can severely damage your electronics.
7. Get yourself a can of compressed air. They work great for safely removing dust from your gadgets.
Your electronics are also very vulnerable to their environment. Make sure that you store or display them properly. Here are some storage tips.
Storage/Display:
1. Do not keep you electronics in an enclosed space. They create a lot of heat when they are on, and they need proper ventilation to keep from overheating.
2. Do not stack them directly on top of each other. You may notice that many of your components have holes on the top and back of their casings. Those holes provide ventilation for the parts inside. If the ventilation holes are covered, the component can overheat and break down.
3. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Once again, they can overheat.
4. Keep them away from radiators or any other heaters.
5. Keep them away from damp or humid places. Get yourself a dehumidifier if you need to.
Almost any user's manual that you have will include directions for care of that specific item. Be sure to look through your manuals to see if there are any special instructions that you need to know about.
Well, there you go. While I don't consider this an exhaustive list of everything you can do to care for your electronics, it is a good review of the basics, and a good checklist for you to follow.
If you follow the advice listed above, then most of your electronics should stay healthy for a long time.
When purchasing a treadmill, you really don't think about the importance of proper maintenance. When you purchase a treadmill, you must be willing to take the time to maintain it just as you would any other major investment. Just like anything else, you must make a conscience effort to factor the maintence time into your schedule. Consider this prior to purchase. If you are proactive in the maintenance of your treadmill, you will add years to the life of your investment.
Proper cleaning for the exterior of the treadmill is required, due to the fact that sweat is highly corrosive. This can be accomplished by merely wiping down the unit after each workout. Also, wiping down the belt and deck with a damp cloth will clean any debris that may effect the performance of the treadmill.
That being said, the most important component of a treadmill is the belt. The belt is what drives the motor and your workout. A malfunctioning belt can cause many problems internally that can damage the motor, control board, belt or other major operating parts. There are really just a few rules to follow in maintaining and insuring the longest life of your walking belt.
*The most important maintence item is adding supplemental lube when recommended (see your owners manual). Proper Lubrication will considerably extend the life of any treadmill walking belt.
*Keep the treadmill clean, and evacuate any debris on or around the treadmill.
*Do not place your treadmill in any extreme conditions. Treadmills should always be in a climate controlled room.
*Keeping proper belt tension and tracking (belt should run parallel to the treadmill frame). This will maintain the belt in good working order.
*Keep your treadmill on a level surface. Some treadmills have level adjustments on the rear supports. A treadmill will not track if not on a level surface.
When to Change a Walking Belt
It is never too soon to change a walking belt, but it is often too late. Although the exterior or walking surface of the belt may not be esthetically pleasing, the part of the belt that is not visible is the most important.
If your treadmill belt is torn, curled up or bare you are in need of a new belt. Also, any problems with speed change when you begin walking are sure signs of belt wear. Regardless, the belt should be changed every 2 to 3 years with regular usage.
Many times you can change a treadmill belt yourself. If you are not comfortable with this procedure, call a reputable Treadmill Repair Company.
While changing the belt, you may notice that the deck of the treadmill also has major wear (bare areas, or ruts). Many times you can turn over the used deck (again, see owners manual). If this is not an option, you may need to completely replace the deck. You can go directly to the manufacturer, or any well rated treadmill replacement parts website (we recommend Treadmilldoctor.com).
All of the things listed will greatly extend the life of your treadmill, treadmill belt, and your ability to utilize your treadmill to its fullest capacity.
Both Mark Yarrobino & Onebrady are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mark Yarrobino has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Web Development and web development. Mark Yarrobino is the president of Maroon Enterprises. One of their websites () specializes in providing top. Mark Yarrobino's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Onebrady has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interior Design, Treadmill Exercises and Home Improvement. Brady Freeman is a fitness equipment technician working for Treadmill Doctor a site that sells ,. Onebrady's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.