Home Maintenance Guides
Short, practical how-tos for the home tasks every owner should know. Written by The Home Almanack. Track the ones that matter for your home for free.
Kitchen
See all →How to Clean a Range Hood Filter
Clean a greasy range hood filter in 20 minutes with boiling water, baking soda, and dish soap. Restores airflow and reduces kitchen odors.
How to Clean a Refrigerator Ice Maker
Clean your refrigerator ice maker in 30 minutes to remove mineral buildup and prevent off-tasting ice. Empty the bin, wash it, and run vinegar through the water line.
How to Clean and Refresh a Garbage Disposal
Freshen a smelly garbage disposal in 5 minutes with baking soda, vinegar, and ice. Deodorizes, cleans the grinding chamber, and sharpens the blades.
How to Clean Dishwasher Spray Arms
Clean clogged dishwasher spray arms in 10 minutes to fix spotty dishes. Unscrew the arms, poke out mineral buildup, rinse, and reattach.
How to Clean Refrigerator Coils
Clean your refrigerator coils in 15 minutes to lower energy bills and prevent compressor failure. Vacuum the dust off the condenser coils twice a year.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
Clean your dishwasher filter in 5 minutes with warm water and a soft brush. Do it every 1-2 months to prevent smells, spots, and pump failure.
HVAC
See all →How to Clean a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Clean your bathroom exhaust fan in 15 minutes to restore airflow and prevent mold. Remove the cover, vacuum the fan blades, and wipe down the housing.
How to Replace Your HVAC Air Filter
Replace your HVAC air filter in under 5 minutes. Do it every 1-3 months to improve air quality, cut energy bills, and prevent costly system repairs.
Laundry
See all →How to Clean Your Dryer Lint Trap
Clean your dryer lint trap before every load and deep-clean it monthly. It takes 2 minutes and prevents dryer fires, high energy bills, and long dry times.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vent
Clean your dryer vent in about an hour to prevent fires and cut dry times. Disconnect the vent, vacuum and brush out the lint, and reattach.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
Clean your washing machine in 30 minutes to eliminate mildew smells and soap scum buildup. Run a hot cycle with vinegar and wipe down the gasket and dispenser.
Exterior
See all →How to Clean Your Gutters
Clean your gutters in about 30 minutes with a ladder and garden hose. Do it twice a year to prevent water damage to your roof, walls, and foundation.
How to Lubricate Garage Door Hinges
Lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and springs in 15 minutes to eliminate squeaks and prevent wear. Use silicone or lithium-based spray, never WD-40.
Plumbing
See all →How to Descale a Showerhead
Descale a clogged showerhead in 30 minutes with white vinegar. Soak it to dissolve mineral buildup and restore full water pressure.
How to Flush Your Water Heater
Flush your water heater in about 20 minutes with a garden hose. Do it once a year to remove sediment buildup that kills efficiency and shortens tank life.
How to Reseal Bathroom Caulk
Reseal bathroom caulk in under 2 hours to stop water damage and prevent mold. Remove old caulk, clean the joint, apply a steady bead of silicone, and smooth.
Safety
See all →How to Replace Smoke Detector Batteries
Replace smoke detector batteries in under 2 minutes per unit. Twist the detector off the base, swap the battery, and test. Do it every year.
How to Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly by pressing the test button. Confirm the alarm sounds, check the display, and replace detectors older than 7 years.
How to Test GFCI Outlets
Test GFCI outlets monthly by pressing the TEST button, confirming power cuts off, then pressing RESET to restore. Replace any outlet that fails the test.
How to Test Your Smoke Detectors
Test every smoke detector in your home once a month by pressing the test button. It takes 1 minute per detector and confirms that the alarm will work when it matters.