How Often Should You Clean Your Appliances
Cleaning Appliances Cleaning your appliances will not only keep your home happier and healthier, but it also ensures to get the longest life out of your equipment. Regular maintenance of appliances helps them run more efficiently extending their lifespan and reduces regular wear and tear. Stovetop Off all appliances, stovetops probably get the most abuse. Regular use leads to common spills and spatters, grease grime, and burnt-on food. The best way to maintain your stovetop is to handle any regular messes immediately and clean as you go. As long as regular maintenance is performed, you’ll only need to do a thorough deep cleaning every 3 – 6 months depending on how often the appliance is used. During a deep cleaning, you should make sure to not just wipe down the surface, but also clean any drip pans, remove knobs, and if applicable lift stovetop and clean underneath. Oven Oven cleaning is a task most of us hate. It’s time-consuming and typically requires quite a bit of elbow grease. Maintaining your oven can mean the difference between hours and minutes of scrubbing. We recommend wiping down the exterior of your oven every week. This will remove fingerprints, grim and nasty germs. The interior of your oven should be cleaned every 3 – 6 months or seasonally as needed. If capable, run the self-cleaning cycle on your oven before using any products/chemicals to clean the interior. The cleaning cycle will burn off residue grease and food debris, and reduce how much you need to scrub afterward. Make sure to remove the oven racks before running the cleaning cycle. Remember to also read the appliance’s manual before cleaning. You may accidentally void your manufacture’s warranty if you improperly clean your oven. Microwave The germiest part of your microwave is likely to be the handle, touchpad, and dial. Microbes from your hands and any food debris get deposited every time you handle the appliance. Every week use and all-purpose or disinfectant to wipe down the exterior of the appliance. To clean the interior Place one cup of water and a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for three minutes and leave the door closed for about five minutes following to allow steam to permeate the interior. Follow by wiping the interior with a damp towel or sponge to remove loosened food particles. If you have some tough stuck-on debris use a food-safe all-purpose cleaner to scrub the rest of the debris off. Refrigerator Your refrigerator should be cleaned at least every 3 months, but the more often the better. Raw food is a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty bacteria. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting your fridge can keep bacteria and mold at bay. Wipe up any spills and splatters immediately if possible. Clean and disinfect high traffic, high touch areas such as handles and drawer pulls on the weekly. To clean the interior, remove all the food contents. Make sure to inspect and dispose of any expired or rotten items. Next, remove and wash all drawers and shelves. Then wipe down the interior surfaces with hot soapy water, rinse afterward to remove soap, and dry with a clean towel. Put back all the drawers and shelve. Finally, place all food items back inside. Make sure to wipe down any sticky jars or containers. Please note the CDC recommends not leave any food that needs to be refrigerated out longer than two hours. Dishwasher Clean your dishwasher every 1 – 3 months. Not only does your dishwasher have food debris to contend with, but minerals in your water can also build up within the appliance. Built-up hard water can clog up your machine and also lead to deposits on your dishes. To descale and sanitize place a microwave-safe dish with white vinegar in the machine and run a full cycle. Follow by sprinkling baking soda in the dishwasher and running another cycle. For more detailed instructions on cleaning your dishwasher check out our blog here. Garbage Disposal Garbage disposals should be cleaned on a weekly basis. This will prevent bacteria growth and nasty odors. Even with constant water running, food and other debris can and does get stuck around the mechanisms in your drain/disposal. Regular cleaning will remove this debris and the stink mold, mildew, and bacteria that can surround it. To clean, first, make sure the disposal is turned off. Next, sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into the drain and add ½ cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with your sink stopper and allow it to foam for a few minutes. Finally, rinse with hot water to flush the grime. Washing Machine Studies show washing machines can hold all sorts of nasty bacteria and viruses you might never have imagined. Running a cup of distilled vinegar or chlorine bleach in an empty cycle once a week will help kill the germs, clean your machine, and help keep it running smoothly. Dryer Emptying your lint trap after every dryer cycle will keep the appliance running as well as possible. Built-up lint with the machine, filter, and vent can also lead to house fires. Lint is highly flammable and can ignite when exposed to the heat of your dryer. Vacuuming out the filter trap, washing the filter, and cleaning out the vent at least once every three months can help prevent fires. Air Conditioner AC systems have filters that collect dust mites, spores, allergens, and other particles. Change these filters every couple of months so they don’t become clogged. Clogs can put extra strain on the appliance as well as allow extra nasties to pass through. Clean Arrival Looking for more tips and tricks to keep your home and appliances sparkling clean? Check out our Facebook or Instagram. To help maintain the rest of your home discover our recurring cleaning service on our booking page or call us at 503-567-5404.
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