REMOVE CALCIUM DEPOSITS

DANIEL BORTZ WASHINGTON POST FEATURES

If you pride yourself on keeping your home in tiptop shape, you’re the kind of homeowner who takes the necessary steps to keep your house running like a well-oiled machine — or at least you think you’re taking all of the right steps. The hard truth, though, is many people overlook a number of important home maintenance tasks. Experts say homeowners often miss these home maintenance tasks, which can have serious consequences, as maintaining your home is a whole lot easier — and a lot less expensive — than dealing with big repairs.

1. CLEAN YOUR REFRIGERATOR’S CONDENSER COILS Most refrigerators have condenser coils located across the bottom or at the back of the unit that cool and condense the refrigerant. These coils can collect dust and pet hair and get clogged, forcing your refrigerator to work harder to stay cold.

Clean refrigerator’s condenser coil once a year, twice if you have a pet that sheds. You can do this yourself by unplugging the refrigerator, removing the grill protecting the coils and gently using the hose from a vacuum cleaner to suck out dust particles and debris. Make sure to wear a dust mask.

2. CLEAN YOUR REFRIGERATOR’S ICE CUBE MAKER You’ll want to clean your ice maker’s collection bin annually, or two to three times a year if you have “hard” water, meaning it’s high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium, iron and magnesium, and causes limescale buildup. (You can buy a water test kit online for about $15 to $30 to test your water’s hardness yourself.) An even mixture of white vinegar and warm water will do the trick.

3. CLEAN YOUR BATHROOM’S EXHAUST FANS TWICE A YEAR Bathroom exhaust fans help eliminate odors and remove moisture that would otherwise land on surfaces and turn into mold; however, a fan can’t operate properly if its cover is dirty. Give bathroom vent covers a thorough cleaning with soapy water twice a year to keep your exhaust fans running efficiently.

4. CLEAN THE DRYER VENT, NOT JUST THE LINT SCREEN Most homeowners know it’s important to clean their dryer’s lint screen in between loads to prevent fires, but many people don’t check for lint buildup in and around the dryer duct and vent filter. Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of clothes dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Dryer vents should be cleaned at least once a year.

5. FLUSH THE WATER HEATER FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE Your home’s water system will perform better and last longer if you flush the tank once a year to remove sediment. According to HomeAdvisor, plumbers will include flushing in their annual tuneup for about $200.

6. SWEEP THE CHIMNEY TO AVOID FIRES, CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKS Love using your wood-burning fireplace? Smoke can leave behind ash and carbon deposits called creosote. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a chimney inspection at least once a year.

7. CLEAN THE DISHWASHER A FEW TIMES A YEAR A good trick for deodorizing the dishwasher is to place a bowl full of vinegar in the middle of the bottom rack and then run a normal wash cycle.

The vinegar trick is mainly for deodorizing, but it will also remove some of the stains and discolorations that can build up over time in a dishwasher’s interior. For more stubborn stains, which are common in homes with hard water, homeowners can try a store-brought dishwasher cleaner.

8. KEEP YOUR WASHING MACHINE MILDEW-FREE Run a cup of white vinegar through the washing machine, using a cleaning cycle (available on some washers) or a normal cycle with hot water, once per month.

Also, keep your washing machine’s lid or door open in between cycles to allow the basket to dry out. Front-loaders are more likely to build up mold, but it can happen to top-loaders, too.

9. REMOVE CALCIUM DEPOSITS FROM SHOWER HEADS To remove calcium deposits and other gunk, fill a small bag with one cup equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and attach it to the shower head’s nozzle with a twist tie, letting it soak for 20 minutes. For a more thorough clean, remove the shower head to let it fully soak and then use an old toothbrush to clean away any remaining debris. Make sure to flush the shower head with hot water once you’re done cleaning before using it.

A full soak should be done about once every three months.

10. INSPECT TREES AND TREE LIMBS NEAR YOUR HOME FOR SAFETY Depending on its proximity to your home and the tree’s condition, strong winds could force it to come crashing into your house. If you have trees close to your home, you’ll want to hire a professional arborist to do an annual sweep of your property. Doing this means you’ll have an expert who can identify early signs of disease or rotting. Expect to pay $75 to $100 for an inspection of one to five trees, and each additional tree will cost around $25. Then, follow the arborist’s advice on what foliage to trim or cut down.

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* WAC. See store associate for details. © The Grasshopper Company 1605 W. Broadway St PRINCETO 812-386-TIR 18 S. 6t St VINCEN 812-882-3314 10 Koehle St GRAYVILLE 618-375-2000