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Tips to keep your appliances running

By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Oct 25, 2022

Last updated Oct 25, 2022

Appliance maintenance checklist and tips
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Your home appliances endure a lot of wear and tear that can eventually run them down. But by practicing good appliance care habits, you can cut down on equipment failure and avoid expensive repairs.

Appliance maintenance checklist and tips

Here’s a list of maintenance tasks for every major appliance in your home. Before you try anything, check your manufacturer’s guide, owner’s manual, and warranty. And don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a technician. They can handle maintenance and repair tasks that are outside your comfort zone.

Freezer and refrigerator maintenance

Your fridge and freezer are essential. Use these tips to keep them running efficiently and help reduce energy costs.

Clean your refrigerator’s coils regularly.
Clean the refrigerator condenser fan.
Keep your food covered.
Empty the fridge and freezer and wipe down shelves.
Change the filters.
Keep food away from freezer vents.
Empty the ice in your freezer.
Clean the door gaskets.
Make sure the fridge is level.
Keep the doors closed tightly when you’re done.
Change the light bulbs.
Check and adjust the temperatures as needed.
Clean the drain hole and drip pan.

When to hire a professional: If your fridge is making strange noises, won’t get cold enough, or you can’t close the door.

Dishwasher maintenance

There are a lot of components inside a dishwasher — spray heads, soap distributors, electrical components, and numerous drain heads. Here’s how to maintain your dishwasher correctly:

Run your dishwasher regularly. And don’t forget to empty it after every cycle.
Have your dishwasher’s drain tube, filter, and door seal serviced.
Check the drain tube to make sure it’s not kinked.
Check and unclog the drain filter. If it’s broken, you may need to replace it.
Make sure the arms are spinning, and clean them.
Ensure your dishwasher isn’t leaking.
Inspect the seal and gasket.
Clean the gasket.
Clean and wipe down the exterior.
Don’t overload your dishwasher.
Inspect, clean, and/or replace the racks.

When to hire a professional: You should be able to handle cleaning your dishwasher. But if it isn’t draining or there’s a leak you can’t fix, it’s time to contact a repair service.

Garbage disposal maintenance

Garbage disposals have a reputation for devouring just about anything — a reputation that can occasionally land them in trouble. The first step to maintaining your disposal is to never put these items inside it:

Banana peels
Potato peelings
Pasta
Fibrous vegetables
Broken glass
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Grease and oil
Starchy foods
Bones
Oatmeal
Onion skins
Corn husks
Fruit pits

You should also follow these basic garbage disposal maintenance tips:

Run the garbage disposal every few days.
Use a lot of cold water when grinding food waste.
De-grease your dishes with a detergent.
To clean it, put a little bit of ice in your disposal and run it. You can also add a citrus wedge to deodorize it.

When to hire a professional: If your dishwasher is humming and you’re unable to unclog it, contact a plumber or a dishwasher repair service.

Range, stove, and oven maintenance

The oven, range, and stove are subject to extreme temperatures and plenty of other variables. You should regularly clean these appliances and have them serviced.

Here are some tips for maintaining your oven, range, and stove:

Get your oven’s gas lines inspected for corrosion, leaks, or breakdowns.
Replace gas lines, if needed.
Replace the gas line if you’re installing a new oven.
Inspect your oven’s door gaskets and locks to ensure heat isn’t escaping from your oven.
Clean your oven thoroughly several times a year.
Replace your oven’s broken bulbs.
Use your oven’s self-cleaning feature. Always check the owner’s manual first.
Clean your oven racks.
Clean your gas burners regularly.
Keep your hood, fan, and filter clean.
Replace filters as needed.
Use baking and cooking sheets to catch spills and food.
Wipe up spills and food after use and when it’s cool.
Lubricate blower motor oil cups, if needed.
Don’t set heavy items on the oven’s door — it may break.
Ensure the temperature is accurate.

When to hire a professional: You can probably handle simple cleaning tasks, but hire an expert to inspect possible damage or malfunctions. Because these appliances often involve fire, gas, and/or electricity, it’s important to stay safe. The best way to do that is to hire a professional who knows what they’re doing.

Microwave maintenance

There are several different models of microwaves on the market. Here are some universal maintenance tips for keeping yours clean and functioning smoothly:

Pay attention to strange noises like thumping, squealing, or other sounds. These are almost always a sign of a problem.
Wipe down splatters right away before they harden.
Cover your food to prevent splatters.
Clean the inside and outside of the microwave.
Clean the grease filter by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always use microwave-safe dishes.
Never dry clothing or other objects in the microwave.
Never put metal in the unit.
Don’t close the door too hard — you might damage the handle.

When to hire a professional: Always hire a professional if your microwave needs electronic repairs. If you’re not sure whether it’s worth the money to repair or replace your microwave, get an expert’s opinion after they inspect it.

Dryer maintenance

Maintaining your dryer will not only help it last longer — it can also help keep your household safe. Follow this advice to keep your dryer in top condition:

Never overload it with clothes.
Ensure your dryer is level.
Clean and check the exhaust vent for debris.
Make sure air is coming out of the dryer vent when the dryer is running.
Clear out leaves and debris from the outside vent cap.
Empty the lint filter between every cycle.
Clean the lint screen and lint trap.
Wipe down the drum and clean the interior to get rid of lint.

When to hire a professional: Keep track of how long it takes your clothes to dry — you may need to hire a professional to fix your dryer and improve its performance. And always consult with a professional if you suspect you need to clean, repair, or replace your dryer ducts.

Related: How much do dryer repairs cost?

Washing machine maintenance

A washing machine that’s not maintained can develop issues with its hoses, start to smell, and cause other problems in your home. Here are some tips to get your washer in working order:

Don’t overload it.
Address noisy washers.
Clean the lint filter.
Inspect the hoses for bulges or cracks, and replace as necessary.
Use the correct detergent (and the right amount).
Place a drip pan underneath the washer.
Clean the interior, drum, gasket, and door.
Keep the door gaskets dry.
Don’t let clean, wet clothes sit in the washing machine when done.
Make sure the washer is level.
Consider getting a drain vent.
Leave the door open between loads to prevent musty odors.

When to hire a professional: If you think your hoses need to be replaced or if you need major repair, contact a repair technician near you.

HVAC maintenance

Experts often recommend having a professional service your air conditioner and HVAC system once a year. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a technician will perform the following tasks:

Ensure it has enough refrigerant.
Test for leaks.
Seal leaking ducts.
Test for proper electronic control sequencing.
Measure evaporator coil airflow.
Tighten, clean, and fix electric terminal problems.
Adjust belts and lubricate motors.
Compare the thermostat readout with the real temperature.

Throughout the year, complete the following tasks to maintain your HVAC system:

Make sure the unit is level.
Check the thermostat to ensure it’s working.
Ask a professional to complete a safety and energy audit.
Replace air filters regularly.
Run your heating system before winter arrives.
Get your AC and HVAC serviced and cleaned before summer and winter.

When to hire a professional: Hire an HVAC technician to service your unit at least once a year. But ideally, you should get it serviced twice — before the hot and cold seasons arrive.

Water heater maintenance

If you want to ensure you have hot water year-round, especially during the winter, stay on top of these maintenance tasks:

Test and replace the pressure-relief valve.
Inspect the anode rod every 3 years.
Consider insulating older units and the pipes.
Adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees.
Keep an ear out for weird, strange noises (gurgling, groaning, etc.).
Flush and drain a portion of the tank to get rid of sediment.
Consider replacing the heating element on your water heater.
Put your water heater on the vacation setting when you’re out of town.

When to hire a professional: Your water heater is one of those appliances you probably don’t interact with as often. If that’s the case, consider hiring a professional who specializes in servicing water heaters.

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