Clean the door gasket with mild detergent and water. Check gasket seals by closing doors on a dollar bill. Replace the gasket if the bill falls out. Keep door opening to a minimum. Every time you open the door, cold air escapes and gets replaced by warmer, more humid air.

Dishwasher Rack

Inspect the dish rack tines for rusting. Rust particles can ruin the pump and seals, causing a hidden leak or pump failure. A tine repair kit, available at manufacturer websites or Amazon, can save you the cost of a new dish rack. The kits come in various colors to match yours. If the dish rack is beyond salvation, it should be replaced.

Range Stovetop

Dirty stovetop drip bowls reduce the heating efficiency of the burner, so clean or replace them regularly. Bar Keepers Friend will make light work of that tough job. Another choice: Dawn Heavy Duty Degreaser. By the way, never cover drip bowls on electric cooktops with foil! My electrician warns this can short-circuit the burner. Keeping reflector bowls beneath burners shiny helps them reflect heat.

Humidifier

Calcium and other mineral deposits reduce the effectiveness of humidifier pads to evaporate moisture into the air. Replace humidifier filters and pads annually, even if they appear to be fine.

Window Air Conditioner

Clean or replace the air filter in your air conditioner once each month that it is in use to help the unit run more efficiently. Don’t forget to give the evaporator and condenser coils an annual cleaning. Use the model number of your unit to find the correct filter.

Clothes Dryer

Clean the lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely. Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to prevent fire.

Washing Machine

Washing machines are responsible for more than $150 million of damage in homes across the U.S. every year. Imagine a river flowing from your laundry room with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, pouring over thresholds and flooring, soaking your furniture and prized collectibles. It happens. Washing machine hoses score No. 1 in the lineup of the most neglected maintenance items in a home.

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