Filters You Should Clean and Replace in Your Home

Filters are an integral part of modern homes. They keep you away from pollution and other environmental issues. Therefore, you need to replace them periodically. Here are the times when you should replace important filters in your home .

Dryer lint filter

Dryers accumulate a lot of lint as you dry clothes, and that lint can clog vents and other parts of the appliance. Dryer lint not only reduces the efficiency of your dryer, making it harder to dry your clothes, but it can also be dangerous. Be aware that dryer lint is highly flammable, and thousands of house fires are attributed to dryers each year. So replace it regularly.

When to Replace: Most dryers come with reusable mesh filters, so it's just a matter of cleaning, not replacing. You should clean this filter after every load of laundry, and deep clean it about every six months. And don't forget the dryer vent — even though it has a filter, it can still get clogged and needs to be checked and cleaned annually.

Air purifier filter

Typically, air purifiers have two filters: a pre-filter and a main HEPA filter that is responsible for filtering out dust and dirt. Depending on the conditions inside and outside the home, these filters can get dirty very quickly, reducing the performance of the device.

When to change: Check your owner's manual for specific filter maintenance instructions. In general, the pre-filter should be cleaned every few weeks, or more often if you notice dirt building up on it. The HEPA filter should be changed twice a year, unless otherwise specified in the owner's manual, or more often if you notice it clogging up more quickly.

Stove filter

People often forget that the hood above the stove has an air filter - and that air filter can become a nightmare for grease and grime. When clogged, the hood will not be able to pull all the cooking smells out of the house, causing the hood to work harder and potentially shortening its life.

When to replace: This depends on how often you cook and use your hood. If you are a chef, soaking the filter and wiping it clean of grease and grime once a month is a good idea. If you cook less, you may only need to replace it about every three months. If you can't clean it by soaking and scrubbing, it's time to replace it completely.

Dehumidifier filter

A dehumidifier in your basement, crawl space, or a specific room in your home is an important tool in the fight against mold. However, if you don't clean the filter, it won't work properly and humidity levels will start to rise. Since dehumidifiers in your basement are often 'out of sight, out of mind,' it's important to have a regular schedule to remind you to change them.

When to Replace: According to the instructions for your dehumidifier, it's a good practice to clean the filter monthly and replace it completely every three months. However, if the humidity is high, you may want to consider cleaning it more frequently. When inspecting the filter, look for mold growth on it - if so, the entire unit may need to be replaced.

Vacuum cleaner filter

When your vacuum isn't working properly, it's time to replace its filter. The vacuum may even start to reverse the flow of dirt and make your home dirtier as it runs.

When to replace: Most bagless vacuums have filters that can be washed, dried, and reused, which you should do every few months. Generally, you should replace the entire filter once a year, especially if you are sensitive to allergens and other airborne contaminants.

Air conditioner filter

Whether your air conditioning system is controlled by a central air conditioning system, a mini-split system, or a window unit, there are filters. Air conditioning works by circulating air through a cooling system, so filters are essential to keeping the unit running properly and keeping the air in your home fresh. Clogged and dirty filters will make your home hotter and shorten the life of some very expensive equipment.

When to replace: You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations, but in general, refrigerator filters should be cleaned monthly with a vacuum and a light scrubbing. Mini-split filters should also be cleaned monthly. HVAC filters are typically more durable and specialized, and the frequency of replacement depends on the type of filter used. In general, fiberglass and pleated filters should be replaced every 2 to 3 months, electrostatic filters every 6 months, and HEPA filters once or twice a year.

Water filter

Whether it's a whole-house water filter, a faucet filter, or a refrigerator filter, water filters don't last forever. In fact, an expired water filter can actually make your water worse than if you had no filter at all, because old filters can break down and become anti-filtering, grow bacteria, and even release contaminants into the water.

When to change: Consult the instructions for whatever water filtration product you're using for specifics, but in general, a refrigerator water pitcher should have its filter changed every 40 gallons, and a faucet or under-sink filter should be changed at least every 100 gallons. If you notice gritty water or a change in taste, change your filter even if it's not too old. And if you have a whole-house filtration system, it may need to be changed every 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of contamination in your home's water supply.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 13 August 2025