11 Filters You Should Clean or Replace in Your Home (and When)
Home is meant to be a refuge, a place where we relax and feel safe from the outside world (and play video games). Your home or apartment protects you from the sun and rain, keeps you warm in the winter, and shields you from storms and other disasters.
It also protects you in other ways—or should. The water that comes into our homes and the air that comes in from outside aren’t always as clean as we’d like. Air quality can be affected by a variety of factors, from distant forest fires to natural allergens, and tap water can be full of contaminants that may not be good for your body. One way to combat these problems is with filters, and there are plenty of them. In fact, you can bet you don’t change your filters at home often enough, and you may not even know you have them.
Filters for drying clothes
When your dryer is drying clothes, it can accumulate a lot of lint, which can clog the exhaust vent and other parts of the appliance. Not only does lint reduce the efficiency of your dryer by making it difficult to dry your clothes, but it is also potentially dangerous. Lint is incredibly flammable, and thousands of home fires are caused by clothes dryers every year.
When to change: Most dryers have a reusable mesh filter, so it’s easier to clean than to replace. A basic clean after every load and a deep clean about every six months is recommended. And don’t forget about the dryer vent—even with a filter, it can get clogged, so it should be checked and cleaned annually.
Air Purifier Filters
Air purifiers typically come with two filters: a pre-filter and a main HEPA filter that does the bulk of the work. Depending on what’s going on inside and outside your home, these filters can become clogged fairly quickly, reducing the effectiveness of the unit.
When to change: Check your manual for filter maintenance instructions. As a general rule, the pre-filter should be wiped down every few weeks, or more often if it shows signs of dirt. The HEPA filter should be changed twice a year unless your manual says otherwise, or more often if you notice it clogging quickly.
Oven filters
People often forget that the range hood has an air filter that can become a nightmare due to greasy dirt. When it gets clogged, the range hood can’t effectively remove cooking odors, which puts extra strain on it and can shorten its life.
When to change: This depends on how often you cook and use your hood. If you’re a bit of a cook, it’s a good idea to soak the filter and wipe it with a sponge to remove grease and dirt once a month. If you cook less often, you can change the filter about every three months. If soaking and brushing fails to clean it, it’s time to change it completely.
Filter driers
A dehumidifier in a basement, crawl space, or room of the house is a key tool in the fight against mold. However, if the filter is not cleaned, it will not work properly and moisture will begin to take over. Since dehumidifiers in basements are often “in plain sight,” it is a good idea to remind yourself to replace them regularly.
When to change: Unless otherwise stated in the instructions, it is recommended to clean the filter monthly and change it completely every three months. However, in high humidity, it is worth doing this more often. When checking the filter, pay attention to the presence of mold or fungus on it – if you find any, the entire unit probably needs to be replaced.
Vacuum filters
You know your vacuum’s filter is clogged when it stops working properly. It may even start backing up the dust flow, making your home even dirtier as it coughs and wheezes through the dirty filter.
When to change: Most bagless vacuums have filters that can be rinsed with water, dried, and reused. Do this every few months (and any time you notice a decrease in the vacuum’s efficiency). A complete filter change is usually once a year, especially if you’re sensitive to allergens and other air pollutants.
Air conditioner filters
Whether you have a central air conditioning system, a mini-split system, or window units , your air conditioner relies on filters to operate. Your air conditioning system circulates air through the cooling system, so filters are essential to keep it running properly and the air in your home clean. Clogged, dirty filters will increase the temperature in your home and shorten the life of your expensive equipment.
When to Change: Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, but as a general rule, window unit filters should be cleaned monthly by vacuuming and gently brushing. Mini-Split filters should also be cleaned monthly. HVAC filters are generally more durable and precise, and the frequency of replacement depends on the type of filter used. As a general rule, fiberglass and pleated filters should be replaced every 2-3 months, electrostatic filters every 6 months, and HEPA filters once or twice a year.
Water filters
Whether it’s a whole-house water filter, a filter on your faucet, or a pitcher filter in your refrigerator, water filters don’t last forever. In fact, an old water filter can actually make your water worse than if you hadn’t had one at all, since old filters can break down and become anti-filters, breeding bacteria and releasing pollutants into your water.
When to Change: Check your water filter’s owner’s manual for replacement intervals. As a general rule, you should change your refrigerator pitcher filter about every 40 gallons (180 liters), and faucet or under-sink filters should be changed at least every 100 gallons (350 liters). If you notice sand in your water or a change in taste, replace your filter, even if it’s not that old. If you have a whole-house filtration system, your filter will likely need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on how dirty the water coming into your home is.
Filters for furnaces
If your home is heated by a gas furnace, you need to change your air filter regularly. An old filter means a cold home and the need to replace your furnace much sooner than expected. In fact, you should probably buy a pack of these filters at your local hardware store and just keep them on hand.
When to change: Depending on the model and the manufacturer’s recommendations, furnace filters should be changed anywhere from one to four times a year. However, it’s a good idea to monitor their condition and change them as needed, as they can become dirty quickly, especially if your furnace is located in a location prone to dust and debris, such as a basement. Make sure you install the new filter correctly—it’s surprisingly easy to install it backwards.
Microwave filters
Perhaps the best-kept secret in the modern world is the filter in your microwave (countertop models don’t have filters). Check your owner’s manual: Some microwaves have a grease filter and a carbon air filter, while others only have the former.
When to change: Depending on how often you use the appliance, clean the grease filters about once a month with soap and water. The carbon filter is not washable, so it should be changed about every six months. Or, if you’re like everyone else, you should replace it right now, since it’s the same one that’s been there for years .
Refrigerator Water Filter
If your refrigerator cools water and/or ice, this is very convenient because it has filters that clean the water and ice, preventing unpleasant tastes and odors. There may be several filters in the system, so be sure to check your owner’s manual to know where they are.
When to Change: Unless your product instructions say otherwise, you should change all filters in your refrigerator twice a year to ensure your water and ice are free of contaminants, smell good, and don’t grow mold.
Dishwasher filter
Dishwashers are a treasury of food scraps and other leftovers from previous meals. No matter how well you rinse your dishes (and these days we’re often told not to do that at all ), your dishwasher’s filter will still catch a lot of it. These filters are designed for this purpose, and some dishwashers even have a “grinder” filter that still grinds these particles into a mush, but the filter can still get clogged.
When to change: Every three months, unless your dishwasher is running at full capacity and is used more than once a day. These filters are easy to remove and wash in the sink, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Tip: Learn the error codes for your dishwasher model—many can be fixed by cleaning the filter.