3 Dirty Spots in your Home That Wreck Appliances

Is your new appliance underperforming just a few months after purchase?
That might be due to dirty spots.

There are a few hidden areas in every home that collect dust, lint, and grime. Left unchecked, these dirty spots can reduce efficiency, cause breakdowns, and even create serious safety hazards. Worse, many homeowners don’t even know these areas need attention!

In Season 1 of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson spoke with Goldsmith Home Care and Repair Co-founder, Erich Kleine, about the most overlooked causes of appliance failure. Erich shared real-life examples and simple maintenance tips that can help you prevent expensive appliance repairs—and even avoid a house fire.

🧰 Top 3 Places That Could Be Destroying Your Appliances

1. Dirty Refrigerator Coils Behind (or Under) Your Fridge

Before and after of cleaning a refrigerator coil (by Reddit)

Is your fridge warmer than it used to be?
When’s the last time you pulled your refrigerator away from the wall?

Behind the fridge, dust builds up on the condenser coils, forcing the compressor to work overtime. This leads to overheating, higher energy bills, and early appliance failure.

How to fix it:

• Unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall.

• Vacuum the dust off the coils (usually found on the back or bottom).

• For built-in fridges, remove the lower front panel and vacuum behind it.

Pro Tip: Add a reminder to your calendar every six months. It only takes a few minutes and can extend your fridge’s life by years.

2. Clogged Dryer Vents (Especially Vents Through the Roof)

Photo by Advance Chimney Sweeps Inc

Lint buildup in your dryer vent is more than an inconvenience—it’s a major fire hazard.

Curtis once shared a story about his mom. After 20 years of reliable use, her dryer suddenly stopped working. The technician found the vent—running through the roof—was completely compacted with lint and had never been cleaned.

If your clothes are taking longer to dry or the laundry room feels unusually hot, your vent might need cleaning.

How to fix it:

• Disconnect your dryer from the wall.

• Use a vent cleaning kit or electric leaf blower to clear the duct.

• If the vent runs through the roof or a long duct, consider hiring a professional.

Pro Tip: A clean vent improves dryer efficiency, reduces wear, and minimizes fire risk. Clean it every 6 months if you use your dryer frequently.

3. Greasy Kitchen Range Hood Filters

Photo by family handyman

Greasy kitchen range hood filters reduce your vent’s performance and pose a fire risk. Over time, cooking grease clogs the filter, forcing the fan to work harder and decreasing your air quality.

How to fix it:

• Soak metal filters in hot water with dish soap and a sprinkle of baking soda for 20 minutes.

• Scrub gently with a brush.

• Rinse and dry completely before reinstalling.

Pro Tip: Clean filters every 1–3 months, depending on how often you cook.

✅ Protect Your Appliances with Simple, Regular Maintenance

Most appliance problems don’t happen overnight—they build up slowly. A simple vacuum and a little awareness can save you thousands.

Basic Home Appliance Maintenance Checklist:

• ✅ Clean refrigerator coils twice a year

• ✅ Clear your dryer vent annually (or more for roof vents)

• ✅ Wash your range hood filters every 1–3 months

By adding these steps to your seasonal home routine, you’ll avoid breakdowns, extend the life of your appliances, and keep your home safer.

Want more tips like this?
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