Appliance Home Maintenance Guide

*Updated June 4th, 2025

When was the last time you showed your home appliances a little love? Between cleaning gutters, servicing your HVAC system, and tackling chimney upkeep, it’s easy to forget about the everyday appliance workhorses that make your life easier. But keeping up with appliance maintenance is just as important—after all, appliances are expensive, and neglecting them could mean paying for costly repairs or replacements.

This guide covers why routine maintenance matters, how it helps prevent appliance repairs, and which maintenance tips can help you avoid headaches and make your appliances last.

5 Smart Ways to Maintain Your Appliances

All household appliances break down eventually, but regular maintenance can delay the need for appliance repairs. These simple tips and tricks can save you money and help you keep your appliances running longer.

1. Clean Your Appliances

Take your dishwasher, for instance. It’s meant to clean your dishes, but if you don’t keep it clean, you risk poor performance or even failure. Built-up residue or a clogged system that traps food particles can cause serious issues. Refer to your owner’s manual for safe cleaning steps and add it to your home maintenance checklist.

2. Inspect Your Appliances Annually

Schedule an annual inspection for each home appliance. A technician can spot early wear and tear—like buildup on refrigerator coils or a loose dryer vent—before they turn into expensive problems. This kind of preventive maintenance helps avoid major repairs and keeps your appliances working properly.

3. Know Your Appliance’s Limits

Whether it’s the washing machine or oven, pushing an appliance too hard is a fast track to breakdowns. Always check the owner’s manual to avoid overloading or using the wrong outlet.

4. Skip DIY Unless You’re Trained

DIY may sound tempting, but it often leads to bigger issues. Improper appliance maintenance can void your home warranty and cost you more in the long run.

5. Use Appliances Only as Intended

Trying to get your washer or dryer to do double duty is asking for trouble. Stick to their designed uses to extend their lifespan and avoid this repair down the road.

What Kind of Maintenance Do Appliances Need?

Here’s a breakdown of regular home appliance maintenance tips by category:

Kitchen Appliances

Oven

• Clean the oven every 3 months or after a major spill.

• Recalibrate the thermostat using an oven thermometer if temps feel off.

• Schedule routine maintenance to inspect burners, ignition systems, and coils.

Refrigerator and Freezer

• Clean the refrigerator and freezer interior every 2–3 months.

• Wipe down refrigerator coils using a soft cloth or coil brush.

• Keep door gaskets clean to ensure the refrigerator door seals properly.

• Defrost the freezer regularly to prevent ice buildup.

Dishwasher

• Monitor water temperature—keep it at 120°F for optimal cleaning.

• Clean the dishwasher door and spray arms to prevent mold and clogged water flow.

• Remove and clean the filter monthly.

Other Appliances

Furnace and Air Conditioners

• Service HVAC units annually.

• Replace filters monthly.

• Investigate unusual sounds or poor performance immediately.

Washer and Dryer

• Clean the washing machine monthly with vinegar and hot water.

• Avoid overloading the washer or dryer, which strains the motor and drum.

• Clean the lint trap after every load and schedule annual dryer vent cleanings.

• Inspect hoses for leaks or wear.

Can Appliance Maintenance Really Make Them Last?

Absolutely. Regular appliance maintenance is your best defense against frequent repairs. To extend the life of your major appliances, follow these additional maintenance tips:

• Toss expired food in your fridge to prevent bacteria and odor.

• Don’t place items on top of the refrigerator, which reduces airflow.

• Use the right detergent for each appliance.

• Stick to a professional maintenance checklist.

How Often Should You Service Appliances?

Plan on scheduling a professional home appliance inspection at least once a year. For seasonal systems like air conditioners, book a tune-up right before heavy use. Keep a checklist to stay on top of timing.

How to Build a Home Appliance Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist helps you stay organized and ensures no home maintenance task is overlooked. Sort it by season, usage frequency, or appliance type. Track everything—from refrigerator coil cleanings to dryer vent inspections—to prevent costly repairs later.

Signs It’s Time to Replace an Appliance

Even with the best maintenance tasks, all appliances have a shelf life. Watch for these red flags:

• Frequent repair calls

• Declining performance

• Higher energy bills

• Repair costs close to replacement

• Age over 10 years

When in doubt, consider an upgrade. Newer appliances are more efficient and often come with smart features.

Other Home Maintenance Must-Dos

Don’t forget these other important home maintenance tasks:

Outdoor

• Clean gutters

• Power-wash siding

• Inspect the driveway

Indoor

• Test smoke detectors

• Check for water stains

• Service your chimney

• Watch for plumbing leaks

Stay proactive, and your home—inside and out—will reward you with fewer surprises.

Final Thoughts on Appliance Upkeep

Keeping up with home appliance maintenance tips may not be glamorous, but it’s worth it. Use this guide and our 14 maintenance tips and tricks to take control of your home maintenance routine. Whether it’s your dryer, dishwasher, or oven, a little attention goes a long way in preventing appliance repairs and preserving the life of your appliances.

In short: maintenance helps you make your appliances last, save you money, and keep your home running smoothly.

FAQ

Can appliances last 20 years?
Yes—especially with proper preventive maintenance. While most major appliances last 8–15 years, 20 isn’t impossible.

Why do newer appliances not last as long?
They’re more efficient but often have more electronic components. Still, with the right appliance maintenance, you can make them last.

How often should you clean your washer and dryer?
Clean the washer monthly with vinegar and run an empty hot cycle. Always clean the lint from your dryer before every use to prevent fire hazards.

Do more expensive appliances last longer?
Often yes, because they use better parts. Still, even premium models need consistent routine maintenance to live up to their potential.

Additional Appliance Resources

• How to Expand the Lifespan of Your Appliances
• 5 Common Home Appliance Problems and How to Fix Them
• The Top Home Appliances that Can Save You Money