Do YOU remember to change these filters?
Since the invention of filters, we have gotten through a lot of different definitions for them.
While the younger generations tend to think about the ones that are superimposed onto pictures to change their appearance, the filters in your home have a very different meaning and purpose.
The filters in your home are more plentiful than you would imagine.
Your first instinct would be to think about the ones in your HVAC system or the ones in the AC unit, but there are many others in other appliances that we tend to forget about.
These filters are amazing since they ensure that they trap and/or neutralize the contaminants that would make their way into your home and body.
However, the sad part about them is that they are not made to last forever, which is where most homeowners make a grave mistake!
Filters need to be changed; all those impurities gather over time, and they can end up making your appliance no longer work as well or even stop serving their intended purpose since they are overwhelmed.
This is why you should make sure that you add to your chore list checking and replacing filters in your appliances.
This is not something that you should be doing every week since all filters have their own lifespan, and you should be careful of that.
In light of that, we have summarized the general lifespans of the most important fitters homeowners forget to clean or replace in this article so that you can get a better grasp on why and how often you should remember to do this!
Do you remember to change these filters?
Range hood filters
These giant appliances have made it so much easier to cook when your stove is not close to a window.
After all, they end up sucking the grease and steam from your home, managing to lower the amount of cooking smells that get into your home and the grease that you would have to clean off your cabinets and walls if you did not have it.
However, inside the range hood, most models end up having filters (also known as grease and odor ones) that end up catching all the debris made during this process.
These filters end up needing to be cleaned or replaced.
According to AirKing, a ventilation company, these grease filters need to be washed gently with soapy water every month.
If you neglect to do this, they will stop doing their job properly, and it will be akin to not having one installed in the first place.
Some of them can be put in the dishwasher, yet keep in mind that this method of cleaning can end up shortening the lifespan considerably.
Likewise, pay attention to what they are made with; if your grease filters are made with aluminum, they will have a tendency to get spotty from detergent, while stainless steel ones can be safely washed in the dishwasher.
When it comes to odor filers, since they are using charcoal filter paper, you will not be able to wash them.
The best bet with them is to keep a close eye on them and see when they need to be replaced, typically around once a year.
If you are looking to get good quality and affordable carbon odor filters for your range hood, we recommend giving this one from Amazon a try!
Refrigerator filter
Do you have an ice or built-in water dispenser on the door of your refrigerator? They are sometimes lifesavers and so convenient to use!
However, many forget that they also involve filters and the best practice with them is to change them every six months on average.
If you are not sure how you can do this, there are guides online that walk you through the process, and you can also check the fridge’s manufacturer’s website for extra information and needed parts as well.
Some refrigerators have twist-on water filters for the ice and water dispensers; others are made as a push-in case system.
Either way, these are easy to replace as they are located inside the fridge, and you will easily get the hang of it once you have done it once.
Things get more complicated when a filter is installed on the bottom of the fridge or in the water line on the back of the appliance.
That’s when you should call a professional to help you replace the filter since doing it badly can lead to having your fridge break down.
Tap water filter
Many Americans have changed from the traditional pitcher-style water filter to the faucet-integrated filter.
These faucet filters are more convenient and easier to use, but they also have to be monitored.
They only filter a certain amount of gallons of water, and after a certain amount of time, you need to change your water filter so that you do not end up drinking contaminated water.
Some faucet filters give an indicator that tells you when you should change your filter, but if yours does not have any sort of indication like this, know that on average, tap water filters need to be changed every four months.
Changing them is also fairly easy; you just take out the old one by turning the filter, removing the old one, and adding the new one.
One thing to keep in mind is to not force them; they are not unbreakable, and if they get stuck, it is not a good idea to try to force them to open.
Another important thing to remember is that after changing the cartridge on the filters, you should leave the water running for about 5 minutes to activate the new component and make sure your water is properly filtered.
Dishwasher filter
The best appliance we have added to our home that is not seen as a necessity is the dishwasher.
We’re thankful for it every day, for how smooth it’s made dishwashing and how quiet everything works.
However, we often forget that dishwashers also have filters, and given their unique look, it is surprising that most dishwater filters look something akin to a shot glass!
The best way to know how you can clean and/or replace your dishwasher filter is to check the manual for your specific appliance.
However, most of them can easily be peeled out, gently rinsed, and scrubbed with a soft, old toothbrush before being put back into the machine.
The only reason to replace most of them is if they are damaged or have any holes in them, which is very likely.
The dishwasher filter needs to be cleaned on average anywhere between three and six months, depending on how often you run the appliance!
Dehumidifier
If you have a dehumidifier, you know just how essential it is when it comes to eliminating musty smells and excessive moisture from your home.
The whole reason these appliances are so effective is due to the filters inside them, and those need to be replaced every year, much like the HVAC system ones.
Those smaller plug-in dehumidifiers are easier to deal with since they can have the filter replaced by anyone.
Most brands have instructions on how to do this in the manual or on an online video.
Some may even have a light to indicate that you may need to replace the filter, generally every 250 working hours per appliance.
For the whole home dehumidifier, things are a bit more complicated since they will require a professional to do it; those ones need to have their filters changed every year, and it is best to ask about how you can do this maintenance when you install the product.
Some of these filters need to be changed every six months, and others do not need to be wholly replaced but rather vacuumed, washed, and dried before being returned to the appliance.
Much like with changing filters, you should also make sure that you clean other items in your home as well. You should make sure that you are keeping your home clean by not forgetting to clean these usually overlooked things in your home!
