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Spring cleaning mistakes
From dirty air-conditioner filters to neglected fridges, discover which household cleaning tasks could be increasing Australians’ energy bills
Spring cleaning season is officially here, but many Australians may be overlooking tasks that could be costing them money. A new study by energy comparison service iSelect surveyed 1,000 Australians to reveal which spring cleaning tasks are often overlooked and could be driving up energy bills.
How often Australians deep clean household items
| Household item | Weekly | Monthly | 3 to 6 months | Yearly | Never | N/A |
| Air-conditioning (vents/filters) | 4% | 13% | 28% | 36% | 12% | 7% |
| Refrigerator | 12% | 25% | 36% | 21% | 5% | 1% |
| Oven | 11% | 21% | 33% | 24% | 8% | 2% |
| Washing machine | 9% | 23% | 33% | 18% | 15% | 2% |
| Dryer lint trap | 28% | 17% | 14% | 6% | 6% | 28% |
| Dishwasher | 11% | 25% | 20% | 10% | 7% | 27% |
The survey was commissioned by PureProfile of 1,020 Australian adults in April 2026.
Across Australian households, air-conditioning filters seemed to be the most neglected, with 36% of Australians cleaning these annually, while a further 12% admit they never clean them at all. Given these systems circulate air throughout the home, neglecting them can contribute to inefficient operation, mould and unwanted odours.
According to Daikin Australia, air conditioner filters should be cleaned every two weeks. Replacing a blocked filter with a clean one can lower an air conditioner’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5% to 15%.1https://www.daikin.com.au/faq/maintenance/how-often-clean-air-conditioner-filter They also noted that a filter left uncleaned for a year may consume around 25% more electricity than a unit with a clean filter. The iSelect research shows that almost half of Australians are cleaning air-conditioning filters far less than what is recommended. Assuming annual cooling and heating costs of approximately $1,600 depending on state, climate zone and system type, the extra energy consumption could look like:
Air conditioning filter cleaning habits across Australia
| Rank | State | Yearly | Never | Total neglected |
| 1 | SA | 47% | 7% | 54% |
| 2 | VIC | 37% | 14% | 51% |
| 3= | QLD | 40% | 8% | 48% |
| 3= | WA | 36% | 12% | 48% |
| 4 | NSW | 32% | 12% | 44% |
ACT, NT and Tas response rate were too low to include in this table.
South Australia tops the nation for neglected air-conditioner cleaning, with more than half (54%) of residents cleaning their air-conditioning filters only once a year or never. Nearly half (47%) leave the task for an annual clean.
Victoria ranks second, with 51% of residents cleaning air-conditioning filters either once a year or never. Victorians are also among the most likely to skip the task altogether, with 14% admitting they never clean their filters, the highest in Australia.
Queensland and Western Australia tie for third place, with 48% of residents cleaning filters only annually or not at all. In Queensland, four in ten (40%) delay cleaning until once a year, despite air-conditioning usage typically being higher due to warmer conditions.
New South Wales performs best among the major states, although 44% of residents still clean their filters yearly or never.
Fridge cleaning habits across Australia
| Rank | State | Yearly | Never | Total Neglect |
| 1 | SA | 27% | 4% | 31% |
| 2 | VIC | 21% | 7% | 28% |
| 3 | WA | 22% | 5% | 27% |
| 4 | NSW | 20% | 4% | 24% |
| 5 | QLD | 18% | 4% | 22% |
ACT, NT and Tas response rate were too low to include in this table.
While air conditioners may have the biggest impact on household power bills, refrigerators are another appliance Australians often overlook. South Australians are Australia’s biggest fridge neglecters, with nearly one in three (31%) cleaning their refrigerator only once a year or never.
Victorians rank second, with 28% admitting they rarely deep clean the appliance, while 7% say they never clean it at all, the highest rate among the major states.
Queenslanders perform best, although more than one in five (22%) still leave refrigerator cleaning until yearly maintenance or skip it altogether. Keeping the interior fridge clean and doing a deep clean of the condenser coils can help with energy efficiency, along with temperature checks of the fridge and freezer (0-4°C for refrigerator, -18°C for freezer).2https://www.nationalproductreview.com.au/articles/10-essential-fridge-maintenance-tips-to-slash-your-power-bills/
Washing machine cleaning habits across Australia
| Rank | State | Yearly | Never | Total Neglect |
| 1 | SA | 27% | 4% | 31% |
| 2 | VIC | 21% | 7% | 28% |
| 3 | WA | 22% | 5% | 27% |
| 4 | NSW | 20% | 4% | 24% |
| 5 | QLD | 18% | 4% | 22% |
ACT, NT and Tas response rate were too low to include in this table.
Victorians are Australia’s biggest washing machine neglecters, with 38% cleaning their machine yearly or never. South Australians follow closely behind at 37%, while one in three West Australians admit they rarely deep clean their washing machine.
Switching to cold cycles when using the washing machine can use 80% less energy than hot washes.3https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/tips/save While not deep cleaning washing machines can potentially allow mould, detergent residue and bacteria build-up over time.
Dryer lint trap habits across Australia
| State | Weekly | Monthly | 3-6 months | Yearly | Never |
| SA | 18% | 12% | 14% | 11% | 5% |
| VIC | 27% | 19% | 16% | 5% | 6% |
| WA | 23% | 11% | 15% | 5% | 9% |
| NSW | 30% | 21% | 13% | 7% | 6% |
| QLD | 30% | 17% | 12% | 6% | 4% |
ACT, NT and Tas response rate were too low to include in this table.
South Australians are the least likely to clean their dryer lint trap weekly, with only 18% doing so, compared with 30% of Queenslanders and 30% of New South Wales residents. Lint build-up is one of the leading household appliance fire risks because lint is highly combustible and can ignite when exposed to heat from a dryer. Regularly cleaning the lint trap improves your dryer’s performance, reducing drying time and energy consumption.4https://www.prestigerepairs.com.au/blogs/news/dryer-lint-dilemma-why-ignoring-the-lint-trap-could-cost-you
Dishwasher cleaning habits across Australia
| State | Yearly | Never | Total Neglect |
| VIC | 14% | 8% | 22% |
| NSW | 10% | 8% | 18% |
| SA | 11% | 4% | 15% |
| QLD | 7% | 6% | 13% |
| WA | 5% | 6% | 11% |
ACT, NT and Tas response rate were too low to include in this table.
Victorians are Australia’s biggest dishwasher neglecters, with more than one in five (22%) cleaning their dishwasher only once a year or never. New South Wales follows closely behind, with 18% of residents admitting they rarely or never deep clean their dishwasher. Western Australians are the most diligent dishwasher maintainers, with just 11% leaving the task until yearly maintenance or neglecting it altogether.
“Spring cleaning is about more than just keeping your home looking tidy. Many of the maintenance tasks Australians are most likely to put off, from cleaning air-conditioning filters and refrigerators, can have a direct impact on how efficiently appliances operate. When filters, vents and internal components become clogged with dust, lint and dirt, appliances often need to work harder to achieve the same result, which can increase energy consumption and unnecessary wear and tear, and could reduce performance.
“Beyond higher running costs, neglected appliances can also create safety risks, including mould, poor indoor air quality and even fire hazards. As households prepare for warmer weather, spring is an ideal time to tackle these overlooked maintenance jobs to help improve efficiency, extend appliance lifespan and avoid costly repairs down the track.”
Julia Paszka
General Manager – Utilities at iSelect
Written by:
Sarah Grealy
Digital Public Relations Specialist
0413 363 690
Sarah is our Digital Public Relations Specialist, and brings more than a decade of experience in the insurance comparison industry to iSelect.
With a passion for storytelling through data-driven insights, Sarah strives to empower Aussies with practical guides and tips.
About the data
The survey was commissioned by PureProfile of 1,020 Australian adults in April 2026.
Heating and cooling costs: https://www.iselect.com.au/energy/insights/cost-of-heating-and-cooling/
About 
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