Our site uses cookies to give you the best experience. Manage your cookies here or continue shopping if you're happy.

Accept & close
Skip to main content
Basket

    Things in your house that you forget to clean

    Let us guess, filters haven’t been top of your to-do list? Well, this is your reminder to clean them now before your vacuum stops vacuuming. With just a few minutes of your time, you can save yourself the hassle later.

    Clean filters keep your appliance running efficiently, smelling fresh, and working well for longer. After a while, dust, grease, or debris can start to take its toll on your everyday essentials. So, we’ve put together a really straightforward guide to help you keep on top of them. All it takes is a few minutes to get the most out of your trusty electricals.

    Whether there’s an odour in your fridge that just won’t shift or your cooker hood’s got a bit noisier when it runs, cleaning out your filters might just solve a problem before it gets bigger – you can thank us later.

    Washing machines

    Clean clothes need a clean machine, and emptying your drain pump filter can help with that. Your washer might make weird noises, not drain properly, or have a damp smell if its filter needs a bit of TLC. Just a couple of minutes clearing it out can make all the difference.

    • Pop a tray under the cover to catch any water, open the drain pump filter, and scrub it with a soft brush.
    • Clean every 6-8 weeks.

    Tumble dryers

    It’s really important to clean the filters in your tumble dryer because it traps fibres and fluff in a warm environment. When it’s clogged, it can spend longer drying your clothes, use more energy, and even become a fire hazard, so it’s well worth keeping tabs on it.

    Lint filters

    • In case you haven’t spotted them already, lint filters are usually found just inside the door.
    • Clean dry messes out by hand or, if there’s detergent residue in there, rinse under warm running water.
    • Just make sure it’s completely dry before popping it back in the machine.
    • Empty after every cycle.

    Heat pump and condenser filters

    • You’ll find these filters at the base of the machine, there’s usually a little door you can open.
    • Remove it and rinse under warm water. When it’s completely dry, it can go back in the dryer.
    • Clean every week.


    Dishwashers

    Since your dishwasher clears up a lot of dirty plates day in, day out, the filter can easily get clogged with grease and food residue. Some models have an indicator to let you know, but for those that don’t, there are signs. Look for specks on your clean dishes, cloudy glasses, if the machine smells, or the water doesn’t drain properly. We can easily fix all of that.

    • Find the filter at the bottom of the machine and twist it anticlockwise.
    • Remove and rinse it under hot water until it’s clear.
    • Clean every 2-4 weeks

    Fridges

    Got a fridge with a water dispenser or ice maker? Then there’s a good chance it’s got a filter too. It removes impurities and keep the water fresh for all your cold drinks. Keep your eye out for a change in taste – that’s your filter’s way of telling you it needs replacing.

    Check the manual to find your filter

    It’ll probably be inside at the top right corner or on the outside underneath the door.

    When should you replace the filter

    You should replace the filter every 6 months.

    Cooker hoods

    It’s so easy to forget your cooker hood filter when you’re busy prepping dinner, but it’s also busy - trapping grease and odours to keep your kitchen fresh. If you notice it’s not clearing the air as well as usual, it’s got louder, or you can see grease building up, it’s time to make a change.

    You’ll find your filters underneath the unit. Look for a tab you can pull or push to open it.

    Metal filters

    • Soak them in hot soapy water or, if they’re dishwasher safe, pop them on a cycle.
    • Clean every 4 weeks.

    Carbon filters

    • These are disposable, so they can’t be cleaned.
    • Replace every 3-6 months.

    Coffee machines

    If your morning brew’s not up to scratch or it’s taking an age to pour, a clogged filter might be the culprit! To save yourself from the disappointment of a bad cuppa, it’s worth a few minutes of cleaning every now and again .

    Water filters

    Bin the old filter and leave the new one to soak for 5 minutes before putting it in the machine.

    • Replace every 2-3 months.

    Brew unit filters

    Rinse the filter thoroughly under warm water until it runs clear.

    • Clean every week.

    Reusable mesh filters

    Rinse it with hot water and scrub with a soft brush to stop buildups. Leave it to dry completely before popping it away.

    • Clean after every use.

    Vaccum cleaners

    Your vac might not live in your kitchen, but it’s still got a filter that needs some care. It keeps your vacuum suction high and stops dust escaping, so you’ll notice if you leave it too long.

    Foam or pad filters

    • Wash it with warm water and mild soap, then leave it to dry completely before popping back in the vac.
    • Clean every month.

    HEPA filters

    • Rinse it in warm water without any soap, then let it dry off completely and pop it back away.
    • Clean or replace every 3-6 months

    Staying ahead of the game with your appliance filters keeps all your essentials doing what they do best. It can also save you pennies in the long run since it means everything is working as efficiently as possible, as well as helping it last longer. Just a few minutes here and there makes a big difference and keeps your home running like a well-oiled machine.

    Find out more