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Maintenance schedules and cleaning steps

Filter changes, descaling, drain filter cleaning and seasonal service, gathered from the maintenance chapters people rarely read.

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Most "it stopped working properly" problems are maintenance problems. A coffee maker that brews half a cup needs descaling. A vacuum that pulses has a blocked filter. A washer that smells needs a cleaning cycle.

Maintenance chapters are short. We pulled out the schedules and steps so you can set a reminder and forget about it.

InfographicDescaling in five stepsThe same pattern works for most drip, pod and espresso machines
  1. 01EmptyReservoir out, filter removed
  2. 02FillDescaler plus water, as the label says
  3. 03RunBrew in batches, pour it away
  4. 04WaitLet it sit if the manual says so
  5. 05RinseSeveral full tanks of clean water

Maintenance by product

LG WM4000HWA Front-Load WasherWM4000HWA
Tub Clean once a month. LG recommends running Tub Clean about once a month with the drum empty. Leave the door open a crack between loads and wipe the rubber gasket, especially the fold at the…
Samsung WF45T6000AW Front-Load WasherWF45T6000AW
Run Self Clean when the reminder appears. After a certain number of washes, which varies by model, the Self Clean indicator lights up. Run the cycle with the drum empty and no detergent.
iRobot Roomba i3 Robot VacuumRoomba i3 (3150)
What to clean and how often. Empty the bin after each run if you don't have the Clean Base. Clean the filter once a week, or twice a week with pets.
Dyson V11 Cordless VacuumV11 (SV14, SV28)
Washing the filter. A dirty or damp filter is the main reason these vacuums lose suction or pulse. Dyson recommends washing it once a month, and more often if you vacuum a lot of fine dust… 5 steps
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure CookerDuo 7-in-1 (3, 6, 8 qt)
Cleaning the sealing ring. Remove and wash the sealing ring, float valve and anti-block shield after each use. The ring absorbs odors over time.
Keurig K-Classic Coffee MakerK55 (K-Classic)
How to descale the K-Classic. If cups are coming out short or the brewer is slow, it needs descaling. Keurig suggests doing it every three to six months, or when the descale light comes on. 5 steps
Keurig K-Classic Coffee MakerK55 (K-Classic)
Cleaning the needles. Grounds can block the entrance needle under the pod holder lid and the exit needle in the pod holder.
Weber Genesis Gas Grill (300 Series)Genesis 300 series
Leak test the gas connections. Do this when you first connect a tank, every time you change the tank, and at the start of each season. It takes five minutes. 5 steps
Weber Genesis Gas Grill (300 Series)Genesis 300 series
Cleaning routine. Preheat on high for about 15 minutes and brush the grates before cooking. Empty and clean the grease tray and catch pan regularly, since grease buildup is the most…
DeWalt DCD771 20V MAX Drill DriverDCD771
Charger light meanings. DeWalt chargers use a red light pattern to show charging, fully charged, and a hot or cold battery delay.
DeWalt DCD771 20V MAX Drill DriverDCD771
Care. Blow dust out of the motor vents regularly and keep the tool dry. Don't use solvents on the housing.
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat4Ever DLX 4-in-1
Expiration and cleaning. Car seats expire. The 4Ever DLX has a long useful life, and the date is printed on the seat label.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Cleaning the ear tips and mesh. Pull the ear tips off and rinse them with water only, then dry fully. Clean the microphone and speaker mesh with a dry cotton swab.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e All-in-One PrinterOfficeJet Pro 9015e
Streaky or faded prints. Run the print quality report and the printhead cleaning tool from the control panel or HP Smart app. Only run cleaning when you see a problem, since it uses ink.

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