Helen Raczkowski has a busy life as a senior analyst for International Flavors & Fragrances in Dayton, NJ, and mom to two teenagers. So cleaning household appliances isn’t something that merits a spot on her must-do list. “Sometimes I’m so tired that I could sleep standing up,” she says. “Especially when my kids were babies, the last thing I worried about was whether dust would damage my vacuum. I was happy just to get the floor mopped.” Though many working moms feel the same way, “cleaning appliances once a year means they’ll run better and last longer,” says Jimmy McAfee, owner of Austin, TX–based King Parts & Service. When appliances operate the way they’re supposed to, you save on your electricity, water and gas bills—and keep the appliance from winding up in a landfill.

Neglected Vacuum Cleaners

What to do With belts, bags, filters and bristles that need regular replacement, vacuum cleaners are often the most neglected of all appliances, says Paul Henniman, owner of Henniman Repairs in Providence, RI. If you have a bag-free model, remove the canister and clean it with a sponge. Test the vacuum’s airflow by seeing if it picks up the majority of a handful of sand.

How often Replace filters and permanent bags at least once a year.

Average savings Cost to replace: from $100 to $2,000.

Dirty Dishwashers

What to do When Heather Herron moved into a new house recently, she inherited a very dirty dishwasher. “We couldn’t believe all the gunk we found,” says the news anchor with WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, IN, and mother of two daughters, 11 and 9. “It’s operating much better now that we cleaned it.” To start, Gregg Slater, owner of Slater Engineering in Annapolis, MD, recommends removing the racks. “Inspect the corners inside and the gasket around the door for food buildup,” he says, “then clean with a sponge and gentle plastic-bristle brush.” Also spin the spray arms on the base, cleaning off any stuck food, then remove the spray arms and wash them with soap and water. Next, take out the filter basket at the base, as well as the filter itself, and clean them with a soft-bristle brush. Reassemble the dishwasher and run it empty, with detergent.

How often About once a year.

Average savings Cost to replace: from $450 to $2,000.

Dusty Refrigerators

What to do Dust and pet hair can accumulate in the condenser coils on your refrigerator, causing it to overheat, work harder and use more energy, says Frank Pulman, owner of Ace Appliance Service in Los Angeles. Cleaning the coils won’t take more than five minutes, he promises. Start by unplugging the refrigerator. Then get on your hands and knees to snap off, pull out or unscrew the vent plate that protects the coils. Use a vacuum cleaner hose to clean underneath, and a brush to wipe off all the dust. Finally, clean the cover panel, either vacuuming it or removing and washing it.

How often About twice a year.

Average savings Cost to replace: from $400 to $5,000 or more.

Cash for Clunkers The Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program aims to help families save some money on energy-saving appliances.

How It Works The program consists of state-supplied rebates of $50 to $250 in exchange for replacing old energy-hogging appliances with new Energy Star ones.

State Rules There are variations from state to state on everything from which appliances are eligible to how much the rebate is. The program ends when the cash runs out.

To find out the details of your state’s program, visit energysavers.gov/financial/70022.html.