3 easy ways to make your home safer and cleaner

Keeping your home clean and safe doesn’t require superpowers, even though it sometimes might feel like it. The unsung heroes are your home appliance filters - quietly working behind the scenes to keep your water pure, your clothes fresh and your dishes clean. But, like all heroes, they need a little love to keep performing at their best.

Why clean your appliance filters?

We all want fresh-smelling laundry and morning coffee without bitterness. But taking care of your filters goes beyond those (very important!) surface concerns. It’s about making sure your appliances stay in good shape for the long haul. Letting filters get dirty can lead to:

• Grime and buildup - This can reduce appliance efficiency, so tasks take longer, cost more in electricity and are more likely to need an early replacement.
• Potential fire hazards - This is especially true in appliances like dryers. Some homeowners insurance policies may have clauses in place that could deny a claim if neglecting to clean a dryer vent is found to be a contributing factor of a house fire.
• Higher repair costs - This is money out of your pocket to repair, or even replace, expensive appliances, and it's often avoidable with a cheap and easy filter replacement.

A little maintenance now saves a lot of hassle later. While your home insurance is unlikely to cover appliance mishaps, Asurion Appliance Protect coverage means you won’t have to worry if something unexpected happens.

Which appliance filters should you clean?

You're on board with the idea of replacing your filters, but where do you start? While many of your appliances have filters, there are three main appliance filters to prioritize. Why these? Simple: they're the most common, they're easy enough DIY and they go a long way toward protecting your home.

1. Dishwasher filters

Your dishwasher’s filter is the secret to streak-free, spotless plates. Ignore it, and you might find bits of last night’s dinner on what should’ve been clean dishes. Here’s what you should know:

• How often to clean - Once a month, depending on usage.
• Why it matters - A clean filter keeps your dishwasher running efficiently, smelling clean and prevents food particles from redepositing on dishes. Beyond an unpleasant appearance, dirty dishes can make you and your family sick. An old filter also wastes time by having you wash your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and wastes money by reducing the lifespan of your dishwasher.

2. Refrigerator water filters

If your fridge water starts tasting off, your water filter needs attention.

• How often to change - Every 6 months, or sooner if your water tastes strange.
• Why it matters - A clean water filter keeps contaminants out of your water - and out of your family. It also helps extend the lifespan of your fridge.

3. Dryer lint filters

No jokes here. Cleaning your dryer’s lint filter is key to both safety and efficiency. Clogged lint filters are serious fire hazards. Yet, keeping filters clean is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce fire risk in your home.

• How often to clean - Remove the lint after every load, and deep clean once a month.
• Why it matters - Lint buildup is a serious fire hazard, and ignoring your filter can put your home at risk. Beyond that, a dirty filter can reduce the efficiency of your dryer or cause a smell on your clean clothes.

By taking the time to maintain your appliances now, you’ll enjoy longer-lasting performance and fewer unexpected breakdowns. The VIU by HUB Advisory Team recommends Asurion Appliance Protect as an added coverage to keep your eligible appliances protected.