Proper Cleaning of HVAC and Appliances

Proper cleaning = Longer Lasting!

That’s right, often cleanliness is the secret to keeping appliances running smoothly. I’ve seen hundreds of appliances malfunction due to dirt, grime, dust, and other nasty “gunk.” I’ve seen homeowners learn the hard way that filters cannot be ignored, but need to be cleaned or replaced. Cleaning appliances is relatively quick & easy, and doing so can often extend their lifespan by several years. Here’s how:

FIRST: As with anything around the house, if you are not real handy, the best tools you can have are 1.) the ability to realize your own limitations, and 2.) a list of qualified professionals you can contact. Please – don’t “bite off more than you can chew” & make things worse.

Refrigerator: Unless you’ve recently cleaned them, the coils under your refrigerator are probably clogged with dust, which can make it difficult for the compressor fan to circulate fresh air. Simply unplug the refrigerator and pull out the vent plate that covers the coils. Use a vacuum hose to clean the coils, and wipe down the door gasket with a warm damp cloth.

Oven / Stove: Avoid the self-cleaning feature. Super-high-temperatures can be hard on the wiring and electrical components. Instead, simply wipe down the inside with a moist cloth after you’ve used your oven – once it has cooled enough to touch but still hot. Burners and igniters on gas stoves seem to die quickly if they are ignored. A warm cloth and a little dish soap is all you need.

Dishwasher: Take out the racks and check for cracks and/or food residue in the corners and/or rubber lining around the door. Clean out both with a sponge and plastic-bristled brush. Check your owner’s manual for directions on how to remove the spray arms and wash them with soap and water. If your unit has a filter basket at the base, carefully remove the filter and give it a quick rinse, and remove any debris from the filter hole. Finally, put everything back together and run the dishwasher empty with a little detergent.

Air Conditioner: A/C filters should be replaced regularly & coils should be cleaned every once in a while as well. Unfortunately not all air handlers are designed for this to be done very easily. Hopefully you can simply run a vacuum brush over the coils when replacing the filter. However, if you have an air handler in your garage or attic, the filters are probably located at the air intake vent rather than the air handler. If that’s the case, you may have to remove an access panel or have one cut into the ducts for easy access. Either way, it’s worth doing, because dirty coils degrade efficiency, air quality, and can reduce system life.