23 Things You Never Knew You Could Clean in a Washing Machine
The invention of the washing machine irrevocably changed the way we do housework, taking out much of the hassle of doing laundry. But are you truly using your washing machine to its full cleaning potential? You can clean any number of household items safely in your washer, saving you time, trouble, and leaving your home happier and healthier. Below is our list os 23 top items you may not have expected to be able to clean in your washing machine. 1. Baseball hats: Our caps and hats tend to get a lot of use, but often not as much love when it comes to keeping them clean. Mot baseball style caps and hats can be washed using cool water and a gentle cycle. Read any tags for proper care instructions. You’ll want to avoid washing hats with torn stitching or are in need of repair, as the washing machine puts additional stress on these issues. 2. Yoga mats: Yoga mats will absorb sweat and body odor when regularly used, just like any other gym gear or equipment. Throw your yoga mat in with your gym gear and towels to keep your washing machine balanced. Wash with a heavy-duty detergent on a gentle cycle with warm or cool water. Allow your matt to fully air-dry. To help your mat dry quicker, roll the mat up tightly with a clean towel to squeeze out excess water. 3. Oven mitts: Oven mitts and hot pads have likely come in contact with food and liquid at some point. Washing them with your kitchen towels can keep them fresh and ready to go for your next meal. 4. Shower curtains & liners: No need to regularly replace your plastic liners every time they start to get mildew. Instead, regularly run your shower curtains and liners in the wash with your bath towels. When you run into a bit of mildew add a small amount of bleach to the load to get rid of stains. Use chlorine bleach for whites and plastic liners and oxygen bleach for colors. 5. Small rugs and mats: Fabric mats and small rugs like bathroom and kitchen mats can be washed on cold with a small amount of detergent. Evenly space mats around the agitator and add a few towels if you have a small load to keep your washer balanced. Use cold water and a liquid detergent. Don’t use chlorine bleach with any rubber or rubber back mats as it will cause the rubber to deteriorate. 6. Car mats: Sure you might vacuum your car regularly, but unless you get your car detailed its unlikely that you’ve ever washed your car’s floor mats. Imagine how much built-up dirt, dust, and debris is hidden inside them. As long as your car mats aren’t too big and bulky they can be washed in your machine. Make sure to vacuum the mats before washing for the best results. 7. Patio cushions: As long as they fit and the tag instruction doesn’t deter you go ahead and wash your outdoor cushion in the wash to keep them clean. Make sure when placing these items in the wash they don’t overfill the machine. You want the cushions to have some room to move in the washer drum to be properly clean. Typically you’ll want to use a normal cycle and detergent unless the tag directs you otherwise or the items are heavily soiled. 8. Hair ties: Have you ever washed your hair ties? It might be time to start doing so. Hair ties come in close contact with sweat, body odor and dander the more you use them. Throw hair ties in a small mesh laundry bag and wash with your regular laundry. 9. Canvas shoes: Make sure to read any labels or tags first to confirm your shoes can be washed in a machine. Start by removing laces and sole inserts. These pieces can be placed in their own mesh bag and wash separately. Pretreat heavy soils and stains with a good stain remover. Place your shoes in a laundry bag and wash them in warm water with a strong detergent. Wash with towels to keep your washing machine balanced. If you have some extra stinky shoes, add a cup of banking soda or disinfectant to combat odors and help rid your shoes of odor-causing bacteria. 10. Backpacks & soft lunch boxes: Backpacks tend to get a lot of use and a regular wash can give them some new life. Start by opening all the pockets, remove any items, and either vacuum out crumbs and debris or shake it out. Place the backpack in a laundry bag or pillowcase if you don’t have a large enough laundry bag. Run your machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent. Allow the pack to air dry. Without regular cleaning, lunch boxes can be a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and mold. When in contact with your food these nasties can lead to you or your getting seriously ill. To wash, run soft lunchboxes in cool to warm water on a gentle cycle. Then let the boxes air dry. 11. Toys: When was the last time you cleaned or sanitized your kids’ toys? It’s easy to give larger items like play sets a quick wipe down, but cleaning all those smaller toys can be quite a tedious task. Throw small toys in a mesh laundry bag and run your washing machine using a cold wash delicate cycle. Try to avoid washing anything rubber or toys with batteries. 12. Pet accessories: Our pets may be our best friends but that doesn’t stop them from getting dirty and their accessories with them. Fabric Leashes, collars, harnesses, and even pet beds can all be put in the washer for a refresh. For leashes, collars, and harnesses, simply place the items in a mesh laundry bag and run in your regular cycle. Many dog beds have removable covers that can be easily take off and thrown
How to Clean Your Dishwasher
Many of us don’t even think about cleaning the interior of our dishwasher. It might seem illogical to clean something that is designed to clean other items, but regular maintenance will help your appliances perform at peak ability. Soap scum, food debris, and minerals from you tap water build up over time. This can lead to a breeding ground for germs, mildew, and mold. The mineral deposits can also attach to your dishes and prevent your machine from working properly. We’ve done the research and can help you learn how you clean your dishwasher without calling in the maintenance man. What you’ll need: Damp cloth 2 cups White Vinegar Dishwasher safe container – small container or glass 1 cup Baking Soda Steps to easily and safely clean your dishwasher: Empty any dishes: You’ll want to make sure the dishwasher is empty to clean thoroughly. Remove debris: Use your damp cloth to remove and large debris, such as food particles, from the interior of your dishwasher. Clear out the drain: Remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Most racks should easily slide out and lift off the tracks. Use your cloth to clear out any gunk and debris from around the drains. Add the vinegar: Place your 2 cups of regular white vinegar in the dishwasher safe container on the bottom rack of your dishwasher. The jets on the top of your dishwasher will fill up the container and release the vinegar solution into your machine. Then run your dishwasher on your “normal” or “regular cycle. Avoid the “hot” or “sanitize” cycles as the steam created can release irritating vinegar vapors into your home. Ultimately the vinegar with help descale the interior of the dishwasher and reduce/remove odors that may have built-up due to grim. Sprinkle baking soda: After the vinegar cycle is complete sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of your dishwasher. Then run the machine on a “short” cycle to remove any additional grime and stains. In the absence of a short cycle, you can use your “normal” cycle. Leave the door open: After both cycles are complete leave the door to your dishwasher open and allow the interior to air dry. This will help release any residual odors from cleaning and prevent any immediate excess moisture build-up which can lead to mildew and mold. For safety reasons make sure to keep pets and children away from the machine while open. Tips: Make sure to read the instruction manual of your appliance. Some machines may have specific cycles and products that work best for descaling and cleaning. Also make sure to refer to your warranty to ensure you won’t be accidentally voiding your policy, as some have strict guidelines for maintenance. While regular maintenance can help extend the life of your appliances, don’t overuse this process. Vinegar as an acid can potentially damage your machine if overused. Clean Arrival – Recurring Cleaning Services To help maintain the rest of your home discover our recurring cleaning service on our booking page or call us at 503-567-5404. You can also message us on Facebook or email us here.
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