Why Appliance Maintenance Matters More Than You Think (And the Simple Tasks That Prevent Costly Repairs)

Owner
Dec 23, 2025
3 min read

Most appliance breakdowns don’t happen out of nowhere. In fact, many of the service calls we see could have been avoided with just a little routine maintenance.

At Miller’s Appliance Repair, we see this weekly— washers filled with mold, dryers clogged with lint, refrigerators struggling to cool because they can’t breathe. The good news? Most major kitchen and laundry appliances only need one or two simple maintenance tasks per year (or every couple of months) to stay reliable and efficient.

Here’s a real-world look at why appliance maintenance matters — and what each appliance actually needs to keep running properly.

Refrigerator Maintenance: Small Neglect, Big Consequences

Your refrigerator runs 24/7, making it one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. When it isn’t maintained, it slowly loses efficiency until one day it just can’t keep up.

Maintenance Tasks:

Clean the condenser coils (once a year)
Dust and pet hair trap heat and force the compressor to work harder, shortening its lifespan.
Inspect door gaskets (once a year)
Worn or dirty seals allow cold air to escape, causing temperature issues and higher energy use.

Dirty condenser coils are one of the most common preventable causes of refrigerator failure we see on service calls.

Dishwasher Maintenance: Clean Dishes Need a Clean Machine

Dishwashers aren’t self-cleaning, even though many homeowners assume they are.

Maintenance Tasks:

Clean the dishwasher filter (3-4 times per year)
Built-up food debris causes poor draining, odors, and dirty dishes.
Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle (once a year)
Removes grease, soap residue, and mineral buildup from internal components.

Many dishwasher drain and wash motor problems can start with a clogged or neglected filter.

Oven & Range Maintenance: Accuracy Matters

Ovens rarely fail overnight — they usually drift out of calibration or overheat components gradually.

Maintenance Tasks:

Clean spills from the oven cavity (once a year)
Burned-on food can interfere with heat circulation and damage internal parts.
Check oven temperature accuracy (once a year)
An oven can heat but still cook incorrectly if it’s running hot or cold.

“It still heats” doesn’t always mean it’s working properly.

Washing Machine Maintenance: Preventing Mold and Odors

Washers — especially front-load models — are very sensitive to poor maintenance habits.

Maintenance Tasks:

Run a “Clean Washer” cycle with washer cleaner
Monthly is best, but at minimum it should be done a few times per year.
Inspect fill hoses (once a year)
Cracked or bulging hoses can burst and cause serious water damage.

Washer mold and odor issues are a common problem we see — and also the easiest to prevent.

Dryer Maintenance: Safety Comes First

Dryers are one of the most dangerous appliances to neglect due to lint buildup and restricted airflow.

Maintenance Tasks:

Clean the dryer vent hose(once a year)
Lint buildup causes overheating, long dry times, and fire risk.
Check airflow at the exterior vent (once a year)
Weak airflow often leads to heating element or motor failure.

Long dry times almost always point to an airflow issue, not a bad dryer.

Appliance Maintenance Saves Money — Every Time

Appliance maintenance isn’t about perfection — it’s about prevention.

Simple upkeep can:

Extend appliance lifespan
Lower energy bills
Reduce emergency breakdowns
Catch small problems before they turn expensive

At Miller’s Appliance Repair, our goal isn’t just to fix broken appliances — it’s to help homeowners avoid breakdowns altogether through proper maintenance and early diagnosis.