Thrifty Thinking: Three Way to Save with Spring Cleaning

As winter nears its end and the holidays wrap up, spring-cleaning is the next order of business for many of us. It's time to clean things out, throw things away, scrub walls, and freshen up our lives. Spring-cleaning can help us reorganize our homes and heads to create a clean environment and attitude that can last the rest of the year. This year, make your spring cleaning even more rewarding by cleaning things that can help lower your energy bills and save you money.

Change Air Conditioner Filter

While this may not be something you immediately think of when you plan out your spring cleaning agenda, changing your air filter can make a huge difference in your energy bill and air quality. If your air conditioner filter is old and dirty, you may be wasting a significant amount of energy. With a fresh air filter your house will cool more quickly, your system will not have to work as hard, and the air in your home will be fresher. In general, you should change your air filter three or four times a year. You can get a new filter at most major grocery stores and any hardware store. Be sure that you purchase a new filter that is the right size and that you pay attention to how you take it out, so you can replace it correctly.

Clean Refrigerator Coils

Now, I'm willing to bet this is not at all what you think of doing when you think spring-cleaning. However, cleaning off your refrigerator coils each year can help your refrigerator run more efficiently and save you money in the long run. Move you fridge away from the wall and unplug it. On the back of the fridge you will find the coils (sometimes they are covered by a plate). If you've never cleaned the coils before and you live in a normal household, they will likely be caked in dust. Use a vacuum to remove the dust from the coils. If a vacuum doesn't quite cut it, use soap and water. Of course, be sure the fridge is unplugged before you do any of this. Before you replace the plate over the coils or plug the fridge back into the power source, make sure that everything is completely dry.

Clean the Dishwasher

Yes, I'm suggesting that you clean the inside of your dishwasher. Though it sounds a little wacky, cleaning out the inside of the machine can help keep it running normally and can help save on water and energy. To start, cut off the power or unplug your dishwasher. Use white vinegar and water to clean the racks and door of the dishwasher. Vinegar helps to deodorize and disinfect the parts without causing any damage to the materials. Next, clean out any debris or grim on the spinning arms and any vents in the machine. You can use an old toothbrush to help with the part for narrow, hard to reach areas. Lastly, check areas around the door to make sure that there is not any dirt or debris keeping the door from latching completely. All of these steps will ensure that your dishwasher is running to the best of its ability and isn't wasting any water or energy.

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This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey.