How to Clean and Maintain Home Appliances
Home appliances make our daily life comfortable, but many people forget that these appliances also need regular cleaning and proper maintenance. Without care, appliances slowly collect dirt, grease, scale, and residue, which reduces performance, causes bad smell, increases electricity usage, and shortens lifespan.
This pillar guide explains simple, practical, and real-world methods to clean and maintain common home appliances like washing machines, air fryers, chimneys, and more. The tips below are based on real usage experience, not marketing claims, and are easy to follow for Indian homes.
Why Cleaning and Maintenance Are Important
- Washing machines collect lint, detergent residue, and mineral scale
- Air fryers build up oil and grease
- Chimneys accumulate soot that can become dangerous
- Moist environments encourage mold and bad odor
Regular maintenance:
- Improves performance
- Saves electricity and water
- Prevents breakdowns
- Extends appliance life
- Keeps your home hygienic and safe
How to Clean and Maintain a Washing Machine
A washing machine cleans clothes every day, but the machine itself slowly gets dirty from inside. Filters, drum surfaces, agitators, and hidden areas collect lint, grease, detergent residue, and mineral deposits.
Reality Check About Washing Machine Drums
From long-term repair and service experience, it is important to understand one thing clearly: there is no guaranteed way to make a used washing machine drum perfectly clean without a full strip-down. Normal household cleaning methods only clean what is reachable and visible. Still, regular cleaning is necessary to keep the machine hygienic and working efficiently.
Cleaning the Agitator and Inner Drum (Top Load Machines)
What you need:
- All-purpose cleaner (with bleach if required)
- Sturdy cotton rags (better than microfiber for scrubbing)
- Bucket of clean water
Steps:
- Spray the agitator generously with cleaner
- Let it sit for about 10 minutes
- Scrub thoroughly from bottom to top (or top to bottom)
- Recheck and scrub missed areas
- Rinse using clean water and a fresh rag
- Run one rinse cycle with no clothes
Cleaning Filters and Removing Lint
How to clean:
- Locate the filter using the user manual
- Remove it carefully
- Clean using a toothbrush or pin
- Wash with water and reinstall
Descaling the Washing Machine Tub
Descaling method:
- Use a good descaling powder
- Add it to water
- Run a full wash cycle (around 2 hours)
Removing Bad Smell and Mold
- Run an empty hot wash cycle
- Add one cup of white vinegar or bleach in the detergent tray
- Run an extra rinse cycle
- Leave the door open for a day to air-dry
Front-load machines often remind users to run a cleaning cycle after a certain number of washes. Always follow this reminder.
How to Clean Washing Machine Drum Properly
How to Clean and Maintain an Air Fryer
Air fryers are easy to maintain if cleaned immediately after use. Oil and food residue left overnight becomes sticky, smelly, and hard to remove.
Daily Cleaning After Cooking
Steps:
- Unplug the air fryer and let it cool
- Remove the basket and drawer
- Empty leftover oil
- Wash removable parts with warm soapy water
- Use a soft sponge (avoid abrasives)
- Dry completely before reassembly
Deep Cleaning Grease and Stuck Food
- Soak parts in hot water with dish detergent
- Use a wooden skewer or toothpick for holes
- Apply baking soda + water paste for stubborn areas
- Clean again and rinse well
Cleaning the Inside and Heating Element
- Use a damp cloth with warm soapy water
- Remove basket before cleaning inside
- Check the heating coil for grease
- Use a soft brush (never steel wire)
Chimney and Fireplace Maintenance (Safety First)
Kitchen chimneys and fireplaces accumulate soot, grease, and ash. If ignored, this can become a fire hazard.
Chimney Cleaning Basics
- Use a proper chimney brush matching the flue size
- Attach fiberglass or screw-type rods
- Seal the fireplace opening to prevent soot spread
- Brush thoroughly and vacuum soot with a HEPA vacuum
Chimney fires are dangerous. If unsure, hire a professional chimney cleaning service.
General Home Appliance Maintenance Tips
Best Home Appliances List & Reviews for Indian Homes (2026 Guide)
- Read the appliance manual carefully
- Do not overload motors
- Allow rest time for non-continuous duty appliances
- Clean filters regularly (AC, purifier, vacuum)
- Use surge protectors to prevent electrical damage
- Keep appliances in regular use to avoid internal damage
Why Understanding Your Appliance Matters
- You can identify early problems
- Maintenance becomes easier
- Repair conversations become clearer
- You make better buying decisions in the future
Final Thoughts
Cleaning and maintaining home appliances does not require expensive chemicals or complex tools. Simple habits like regular cleaning, timely descaling, drying after use, and filter maintenance go a long way.
This pillar guide is designed to help Indian households keep appliances efficient, hygienic, and long-lasting with practical, experience-based advice.
