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Nobody wants more items to check off the to-clean list. But chances are there are some things you’re missing: appliance filters.

From your refrigerator to your air purifier, filters throughout your home are sucking up particles so you don’t ingest them. And if those filters aren’t maintained, not only will your environment suffer, so will the appliance.

Doing the maintenance — routinely cleaning the filter or entirely replacing it — will save you time and money in the long run, says Nicholas Webert, senior director of field operations at Samsung customer care.

Filter maintenance helps keep your product working “close to out-of-the-box” and prolong its life, Webert says. And it’s cheaper than making repairs.

These are eight filters experts say you might be overlooking:

You might be surprised that your over-the-range microwave has a filter, but most actually have two: a stainless-steel-looking grease filter, and a charcoal filter for odors, says Bree Lemmen, kitchen brand manager at Whirlpool.

These filters do work unrelated to the microwave. They’re responsible for all the odors, grease and other particles coming up from your stovetop.

If you cook a lot of greasy food, you should check the grease filter monthly “just to see what it looks like,” Lemmen says. Otherwise, you can clean it quarterly.

You’ll be able to see the brown, caky discoloration in the filter, and it will feel sticky. Clean the filter with soap and water; some are dishwasher-safe. If you regularly maintain the grease filter, you probably won’t need a replacement. But if yours is bent or won’t get clean, you may need to swap it out. New ones generally cost between $10 and $20.

The charcoal filter should be replaced every six months, but you <a href="https://www.maytag.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-clean-microwave-filter.html#:~:text=However%2C%20if%20you%20cook%20frequently,every%20seven%20to%20eight%20months." target=_blank>can get away with longer</a> if you aren’t a frequent home chef. It cannot be cleaned and reused; replacements range from $10 to $30.

There isn’t a standard spot where the filter is located, so check the instruction manual for your microwave. Once you find it, the job isn’t complicated.

A range hood has two filters, and they’re “probably among the least looked at filters in the home,” Lemmen says, so they get pretty gross. These filters are similar to the over-the-range microwave: There’s a grease filter and a charcoal filter, and how often you cook dictates how often you should check them.

Clean the grease filter with soap and warm water or run it through the dishwasher if your appliance’s directions say it’s safe. Just like the grease filter in an over-the-range microwave, this one probably does not need to be replaced. But if yours is misshapen or exceptionally dirty, a new one should cost between $15 and $20.

The charcoal filter should be replaced every three to six months. Multipacks cost $9 to $20.

To find and replace these filters, check your user guide because they could be in a lot of different places. Most hoods have icons that will alert you to change them, and the user guide will also tell you how to reset those lights if they don’t turn off automatically.

If your refrigerator makes ice or dispenses water, it has a filter. You should replace it about every six months, and most fridges have an icon on the front display or other light indicator to remind you.

Fridge filters can be pricey, costing between $20 and $60, depending on your model. Though it might be tempting to try a cheaper, off-brand replacement, Webert cautions against it.

“When you use non-genuine parts, it’s not always perfectly lined up, and you can run into problems that will cause leaking or even cracking of the [compartment that houses the filter],” she says.

Otherwise, fridge filters are <a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/refrigerators/water-filters/" target=_blank>easy to replace</a>. Though the location can vary, the filter should be “very visible and very well-identified,” Webert says. He suggests having a bowl handy because, when you remove the old filter, water will drip out — not a lot, but “enough to make your socks wet.”

Do you <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/10/04/testing-rinsing-dishes-before-dishwasher/" target="_blank">pre-rinse your dishes</a> before putting them in the dishwasher? This is a good indicator of how often you should clean the filter. The rule of thumb is to clean it <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2022/08/01/tips-cleaning-inside-dishwasher/" target="_blank">once a month</a>, but if you load your dishes already relatively clean, you can wait longer, Lemmen says.

Aside from regular upkeep, you’ll know your filter needs to be cleaned if your dishes aren’t coming out as sparkling as usual.

Do the dishes better and faster with these easy tweaks

Fortunately, this is one of the easier filters to maintain. Underneath the bottom rack, <a href="https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=35611#:~:text=We%20recommend%20that%20you%20inspect,filters%20need%20to%20be%20cleaned." target=_blank>untwist and remove</a> the cylindrical filter. Rinse it with warm, soapy water. You can lightly use a sponge or toothbrush to get rid of stubborn dirt, but anything stronger risks damaging the filter. Once it’s clean, twist it back into place.

If your dishwasher has a removable mesh plate, rinse that, too. After taking out the cylindrical filter, twist the retaining posts located toward the back of the appliance, then lift out the mesh plate. Rinse it with warm, soapy water.

Replacing your HVAC filter should be part of your quarterly maintenance. Experts recommend changing the filter at least every 90 days and checking for buildup monthly. Some smart devices might issue alerts, but it’s a good idea to set reminders for yourself.

The filters are generally less than $15. But before you buy one, <a href="https://333help.com/blog/hvac-filter-size/#:~:text=Look%20at%20Your%20Existing%20Air,re%20listed%20in%20that%20order." target=_blank>check the size of your existing filter</a> to make sure it will fit. The dimensions should be printed on the side. Use the arrows on the frame of the filter to make sure you install it facing the right way for air flow.

The general guidance is to<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/06/08/how-choose-air-purifier/" target=_blank> replace your air purifier’s filter</a> every 6 to 12 months, but it comes with caveats: Do you live in a congested city? Is it wildfire season near you? Do you have asthma, bad allergies or pets? Has there been construction in your home? If you answered yes to any of those, it might need more maintenance. The same goes if you run it more often than the user manual recommends.

Some newer air purifiers have filters that last the product’s entire life span. For those, check your manual for <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-clean-an-air-purifier/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901a8bbbd9d" target=_blank>cleaning instructions</a> — generally you’ll vacuum the filter or rinse it with warm water. For most air purifiers, you can tap the dirt off every month or so between replacements.

Newer devices have an icon that lights up on the display when it’s time to change the filter, and most filters cost between $30 and $70 depending on the size. The steps to change the filter will be different depending on each air purifier, so follow the instructions.

We’re warned from a young age to clean out the dryer’s lint trap because it can be a <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/clothes-dryers/how-to-prevent-dryer-fires-a6837216286/" target=_blank>fire hazard</a>. Lint buildup restricts airflow, meaning your clothes come out warm but still damp because there’s nowhere for the air to go, Webert says.

Pull the lint off the filter before or after every use. Fabric softener and other add-ons can create even more buildup on the filter, so if you use those, it’s a good idea to also wash it with warm water and dish soap every so often.

While most of us probably know about the lint trap, there’s also a vent in the back of your dryer. You only need to look at this once every year or so, but “you definitely don’t want to forget about it,” says Morgan LaLonde, laundry brand manager at Whirlpool. This one will usually have an indicator light that alerts you when it needs attention, but if your clothes are coming out damp, low airflow through the vent could be the cause.

First, make sure nothing is blocking the end of the vent on the outside of your home. Otherwise, unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall — you’ll probably want a second set of hands because it’s heavy. Remove the clamps around the ventilation hose and use a small vacuum attachment to clean it out.

Once you reconnect everything, run the empty dryer for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure the dust and debris are blown out of the system.

Vacuums have two filters — the pre-motor and post-motor. Some newer vacuums have indicator lights that alert you when the filters need attention.

Otherwise clean the pre-motor filter if the vacuum is losing suction or not picking up as well, says Julien Levesque, vice president of Shark product development at SharkNinja.

Fortunately, these filters require little maintenance. It’s unlikely you’ll need to replace them, but if you do, each piece costs $10 to $30.

The pre-motor filter is under the dustbin and should be cleaned every one to three months. This filter is spongy, so all you need to do is rinse it with water until the water runs clear, then wring out as much water as possible and let it air dry — it could take up to 48 hours — before putting it back in the vacuum.

The post-motor filter is usually located on the front of the vacuum toward the bottom if you have an upright; for handheld vacuums, there should be signs pointing you toward the filter, as you’ll probably need to disconnect some pieces to access it. Either way, take it out and tap the dirt off about once a year.

<i>Maya Pottiger is a D.C.-based journalist who also covers K-12 education.</i>

Maya Pottiger

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8 types of household filters you may be forgetting to clean

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