6 Routine Cleaning Tasks That Could Prevent a Major Home Disaster

Deep cleaning some of the hidden, hardworking parts of your house might be a dirty job, but you've got to do it. Work these cleaning tasks into your seasonal home checklist to keep your home humming. When neglected for too long, grimy buildup in the wrong places can lead to appliance breakdowns or even home disasters like fires or floods. Here are six of the most important areas to clean regularly to ward off emergencies.

1. Refrigerator Coils

Dusty condenser coils make your fridge work harder, making it less energy-efficient and shortening its life span. (There goes your ice cream budget.) Note that some refrigerators require special DIY cleaning techniques; others should be maintained by a professional. Refer to the owner's manual before you begin.

When to Clean

Complete this task twice a year; more often if you have pets.

What to Do

Unplug the fridge or turn off the power, then find the coils. On a freestanding fridge, they're usually covered by a panel at the bottom front, or they could be on the back. Built-in models often have them at the top of the fridge. If it's not built-in, pull the fridge away from the wall.

Take off the protective panel, put on a dust mask, and gently scrape across and between coils with a long-handled refrigerator brush. Follow up using the crevice tool attachment on your vacuum. And, while you've got the time, clean the floor behind the fridge.

2. Dishwasher Filter

Stinky dishwasher got you down? It might have a manual-clean filter that needs a good scrub. If you don't take care of it, you might start to notice an odor or food specks on your clean dishes.

When to Clean

Complete this task once a month.

What to Do

Look under the bottom rack for the filter. (Some have two removable parts: a cylinder and a flat mesh screen. Check your owner's manual for specifics.) Twist to remove it, then scrub it under hot water using an old toothbrush. For greasy grime, handwash with dish soap.

3. Dryer Duct

Of course you clean the lint trap before drying every load of laundry. But it's also important to check for possible lint buildup in your dryer duct, which can become a major energy suck and a fire hazard.

When to Clean

Complete this task at least once a year.

What to Do

Pull the dryer away from the wall and unplug it. If it's a gas model, shut off the gas. Disconnect the duct from the dryer and the wall, then loosen the lint inside with a long-handled brush or drill-powered cleaning kit designed for dryer ducts. Using a vacuum with a crevice tool attachment, suck up the lint on the floor and from the holes in the dryer and the wall. Brush and vacuum the vent outdoors, too.

4. Washing Machine Filter

Does your washing machine have a lint filter or a drain pump filter? You'll find the answer in the owner's manual. (If the filter is self-cleaning, you're off the hook for this task.)

When to Clean

Complete this task once a month.

What to Do

On a top-loading machine, the lint filter will likely be inside the drum or on the back. Most lint filters can be removed and rinsed under hot water.

A front-loader's drain pump filter and hose are typically on the front. (Look for a little door.) Put a towel under a shallow pan on the floor, then remove the hose plug and let the water flow into the pan. If you haven't done this for a while (or ever), expect as much as a quart of smelly water along with some crud. Then slowly unscrew the drain pump filter (water might flow or dribble out) and pull it out. You'll probably find some slimy stuff; you might find loose items from pockets. Dump out the filter and wash it with water and a toothbrush.

5. Shower Drain

You probably don't think about cleaning your shower drain until you're standing in water after every shower. If your only problem is standing water, a hair clog is the most likely cause. If you notice an odor that won't go away or you're having the same problems with other drains, you could be facing a bigger issue and it's probably best to call a plumber.

When to Clean

Complete this task twice a year.

What to Do

You'll need a screwdriver, flashlight, wire hanger or plastic drain snake, and disposable plastic bag; you'll want rubber gloves. Turn on the bathroom ventilation fan; it could get stinky. Remove the drain cover. Pull out the hair and gunk you can reach with your gloved fingers. If you're using a hanger, bend it into a pole with a hook on the end, then fish around to see if you can snag anything else. Before putting the drain cover back on, you might want to install a special strainer that catches hair and gunk.

6. Gutters

Clearing out gutters is a spring and fall job, but if you can't remember the last time you did it, do it now. Clogs can cause ice dams that damage your gutters and roof. Worse, when ice melts and doesn't drain, it finds a way indoors. If debris and clogs are minor, try clearing out the gutters from the ground. If they've been left too long, you'll probably need to get out the ladder.

When to Clean

Complete this task at least twice a year.

What to Do

Put on work gloves and set up a ladder. Scoop out the leaves, twigs, and other junk with your hands and a trowel. Drop them in a bucket attached to the ladder or onto a drop cloth on the ground below.

Check for downspout clogs. Starting at the end farthest from the downspout, flush the gutter using a hose with a sprayer nozzle. If the water doesn't rush out below, spray up the downspout or remove the downspout and flush it out.