Renter-Friendly Tools That Help You Avoid Calling Maintenance

As a renter, I loathe calling maintenance unless it’s a major HVAC problem or a plumbing issue. Making the request, waiting for an appointment to be scheduled, and arranging for someone to be home for the repair can be inconvenient, so I avoid it like the plague. I’ve rented five different apartments, and I pride myself on rarely having to call for a professional, simply by staying on top of appliance maintenance. 

Simple tasks like regularly vacuuming the refrigerator coils and vents, running a monthly dishwasher cleaning cycle, and deodorizing the garbage disposal take very little time and can keep things running smoothly. These DIY maintenance habits are affordable, easy to use, and can stave off annoying appliance headaches in the long run.

Best Dishwasher Cleaning Hacks

In addition to regularly cleaning your dishwasher’s filter, it’s a good idea to deep-clean its spray arms and run a monthly cleaning cycle to remove lingering odors and limescale. Use a one-step cleaner that deodorizes and descales, and if you have hard water, try this natural water softener to prevent buildup.

When it comes to refreshing your dishwasher, these tablets are a one-step solution that helps remove odors, mineral deposits, and limescale in the machine. Unlike tablets that require an empty dishwasher for a cleaning cycle, you can use these while running a normal load, saving you energy and water. 

Hard water can cause havoc in your dishwasher, leaving mineral deposits, causing a cloudy film on dishes, and reducing its cleaning power and overall lifespan. If your dishwasher is equipped with a salt compartment (like some Bosch, Miele, Cove, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Danby models), this is an all-natural solution that can help remove hard-water minerals.  

Best Refrigerator and Freezer Maintenance Hacks

A refrigerator or freezer with poor cooling might be a result of dirty condenser coils, blocked air vents, or leaky gaskets — all issues that can be avoided with some preventative care. Keep dust at bay twice a year by unplugging your fridge, vacuuming the vents, and brushing any debris and dirt from coils and fan blades.  

Loosen accumulated dust around your refrigerator coils with this kit, which includes four different brushes. The long-handled brushes have sturdy yet flexible bristles that can get into the tight crevices of the coil grid so you can vacuum particles away, while the stiff-bristled brush sweeps bigger dust bunnies away in one stroke. It’s also perfect for dryer vents and sink drains.  

When the fridge or freezer starts leaking cold air, it might be that the gasket — a thin strip of rubber lining the door — is deteriorating and needs replacing. To prevent this, wipe the gaskets clean, then apply a thin layer of silicone grease; it will keep the rubber from drying out and becoming brittle while improving the doors’ seal. 

Best Sink and Drain Cleaners

While the occasional plumbing issue may arise, sinks are fairly easy to maintain. Keep sink surfaces clean with a gentle-yet-effective sink polish, and keep pipes clear with this probiotic-powered drain cleaner. 

While a garbage disposal can help grind small food scraps into drain-safe particles, reducing the amount of debris that goes into the drain in the first place can help you avoid a clog. This sink strainer acts as the first line of defense, catching scraps so you can throw them directly into the garbage. The silicone basket inverts for easy emptying, and you can place the whole thing in the dishwasher to give it a thorough cleaning. 

If the sink starts to smell, it’s a great reminder to clean your garbage disposal. These citrus-scented beads are designed to dissolve grease and absorb odors with minimal effort. And if you’re averse to harsh chemicals, don’t worry  — they’re made with biodegradable surfactants and citrus derivatives that are safe for standard pipes, drains, and septic systems. 

Best Oven and Stove Cleaners

Keeping your oven and stove sparkling clean is the biggest step in preventing most issues (though anything requiring electrical or gas line maintenance is best handled by a pro). A set of good microfiber cleaning cloths can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to removing spills and splatter, while this baking soda-powered stovetop cleaner is great for those who prefer gentle cleansers with natural ingredients.

I’ve learned that the biggest maintenance my stovetop requires is just keeping it clean. For our glass-top range, this kit is perfect for weekly deep cleaning — the cooktop cream helps break down greasy residue, the scrubbing pad is effective without scratching the glass, and the scraper does an excellent job of removing really tough baked-on stains.  

For removing grime from a stovetop or the oven’s interior walls, this set of brushes offers scrubbing power without damaging delicate finishes. The nylon bristles are stiff enough to dislodge stuck-on food debris, and the wiper blade on the smaller brush is excellent for digging into smaller crevices. The non-slip handles are also comfortable so your hand doesn’t cramp when you’re deep into a cleaning groove.