Of all the activities you can and do select from on any given day, “cleaning” for most people only makes the top of the list out of necessity, or to get it out of the way before you move on to bigger (or smaller) and better things.
And yet, no matter how thoroughly or how often you clean, chances are you’re not cleaning five areas of your home as often as you should be. Aside from the dust, dirt, grime, and mold that can build up over time, ignoring the five items below during your regular cleaning routine can make them work less effectively, less efficiently, and actually shorten their lifespan. Read on to learn more:
- Washing Machine: It might seem silly to clean something that does a fine job of cleaning in its own right , but washing machines can harbor mold and unpleasant smells and should be cleaned once a month. Use a sponge or small brush to clean the opening of the washing machine, getting into all the nooks. Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Clean the inside of the machine by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Dishwasher: Once a month, remove the racks and utensil basket, and wipe up any food particles that have settled under the bottom rack Inspect the utensil basket and racks, and clean with a soft brush or wash cloth. Replace the racks basket, and place a dishwasher safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack. Run the hottest, longest load available.
- Garbage Disposal: Once a week, toss a cup of ice cubes down the disposal and turn it on. This will help remove any food gunk from the blades. And once a month, sprinkle a half cup of baking soda down the disposal, then gradually pour in one cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to foam up and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Then turn the disposal on and flush with hot water. Keep it smelling great in between cleanings by tossing in citrus peels.
- Refrigerator: Empty your refrigerator and freezer once a month and clean it thoroughly with a sponge or rag. Check the expiration date on all food items before putting them back in. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum behind it. Gently wipe down the cord with a dry cloth.
- Filters: From your dishwasher and refrigerator, to your heating and cooling system, most of today’s major appliances have air filters. It’s important to clean or replace them regularly to keep these appliances running at peak performance. The frequency depends on the appliance or system, so check your manufacturer’s instructions in each instance.
Speaking of clean, how’s the quality of your home’s indoor air? If you and your family appear to be trading colds back and forth, or one or more of you is increasingly bothered by one upper respiratory ailment or another, then the answer is probably “not so good.” To quickly remedy that, contact Optimum Air today and ask about a high quality, and highly affordable whole-house air purification system. In the meantime, click here to read more.