Clean your dishwasher filter about monthly if you use it often, or every few months for lighter use. Clean sooner for grit, smells, or slow draining.
Clean refrigerator coils every 6 to 12 months, or more often if you have pets. Dusty coils make the compressor work harder.
Most refrigerator water filters should be replaced every 6 months or after the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first.
If your dishwasher isn't cleaning well, check the filter, spray arms, loading, water temperature, detergent, and drain path before replacing it.
If your dishwasher smells bad, check the filter, drain area, door gasket, spray arms, garbage disposal connection, and standing water before blaming the machine.
If the freezer works but the refrigerator is warm, check blocked vents, dirty coils, door seals, temperature settings, frost buildup, and airflow problems.
If your garbage disposal smells bad, clean the splash guard, upper grind chamber, disposal chamber, and drain path before assuming the unit is failing.
Clean washable metal range hood filters about monthly if you cook often. Replace charcoal filters on the manual schedule, usually every few months.
Test refrigerator door seals if the fridge runs constantly, frost builds up, or the gasket looks dirty, cracked, or loose.
Clean range hood filters monthly if you cook often, or less often for light use. Learn how to clean metal filters and when to replace charcoal filters.
How to check dishwasher spray arms for clogged holes, stuck rotation, and poor cleaning after the filter is already clean.
How to check refrigerator water lines, valves, and ice maker leaks before water reaches the floor.
How to clean the dishwasher door gasket and spot damage, debris, or seal problems around the door.
What to do when a garbage disposal hums, stops, or needs a reset, with safety limits up front.
How to check refrigerator and freezer temperatures with appliance thermometers and adjust before food safety becomes a guess.
Descale a drip coffee maker every 1 to 3 months. Descale a pod machine every 3 months. Descale an espresso machine every 1 to 2 months. Hard water shortens every interval.
Clean an in-fridge ice maker every 6 months. Clean a standalone or commercial-style ice maker every 3 to 6 months per the manual. Replace the refrigerator water filter every 6 months regardless.
Over-the-range microwaves have two filters. Clean the metal grease filter monthly in hot soapy water or the dishwasher. Replace the charcoal filter (ductless models only) every 6 to 12 months. It can't be cleaned.
A kitchen appliance maintenance checklist: clean the fridge coils, dishwasher filter, disposal, and range hood filter so everything runs efficiently.