Summer meals and extra laundry are a good reason to check appliance care tasks that are easy to overlook. Start with airflow, loading and cleaning instructions for the models you own.

Keep refrigerator air moving

Leave space around interior vents and make sure food packages don’t stop the doors from closing. Check the actual temperature with an appliance thermometer. The FDA recommends 40°F or below for the refrigerator and 0°F for the freezer.

Use the installation guide for clearance around the cabinet. Clean condenser coils only when the manual identifies them as an owner maintenance task and follow its power disconnection instructions.

Give laundry room appliances some attention

Clean the dryer lint screen before each load and avoid packing the drum tightly. For a vented dryer, check the visible duct for crushing. Whirlpool explains why restricted airflow can leave clothes damp.

Remove wet laundry from the washer promptly. Clean the drum, door seal and dispenser using the products and cycle specified in its manual. Whirlpool’s washer cleaning guide explains how detergent residue and moisture can contribute to odors.

Check the dishwasher before a large load

Make sure tall utensils and pans don’t block the spray arms. Clean a removable filter according to the manual, and keep the sink draining freely if the dishwasher shares its drain connection. Bosch’s drainage guide covers filter care and model specific pump access.

If an appliance keeps losing temperature, leaking or stopping midcycle, request service with its model number and a description of what happens. Mention any error code and the maintenance already completed.