Do you remember the last time you cleaned your dishwasher? If you notice a change in performance, it’s a sign to clean your dishwasher. Regular maintenance helps keep your appliances running smoothly as detergent residue and food build up over time. If you don’t have any dishwasher cleaner from brands like Affresh, you can put vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack in an empty dishwasher and run as normal. The vinegar will break down residue and food buildup. New dishwasher models have filters on the bottom of the tub. Remove that every so often and give it a good rinse.

Notice fingerprints on your fridge? Grab a bottle of Cerama Bryte, spray directly on the surface, and with a microfiber cloth, wipe the cleaner with the grain. You can also use baby oil and a towel, wiping with the grain for added shine!

If you notice your clothes are drying as well as they used to, check your dryer vent! It should be cleaned at least once a year as it can become a fire hazard in your home with all the build-up of lint. Always remember to clean your dryer’s lint filter every time you use it.

Here is another one you might forget about. To keep up with regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system, change out the filter in your furnace regularly. Without changing it will affect the performance, and in the Midwest, we would rather avoid heating issues during the frigid months!

This one may be forgotten about but don’t worry, it’s an easy one! Head to your microwave and underneath you will find the vents. Give those a good clean for optimal use and you’re good to go. The grease and grime from cooking can build up and not make your microwave work as well as it should.