Ever think about the cleanliness of the appliances you use nearly every day? You would notice if they don’t work or smell really bad, but if you clean them regularly to remove any dirt and bacteria that slow performance, these expensive machines can work better and last longer.
Refrigerator: Every 3 Months
Once every 3 weeks, empty your fridge completely of food, shelves, and bins for a thorough cleaning. Discard anything that is past its prime. Create a solution of one teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap and one-quart hot water and use this with a clean sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down the interior. Scrub down any surfaces with caked-on spills and then wipe down every surface with a clean dry cloth.
Dishwasher: Once a Month
Once a month, clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda to keep it working well.
Place a glass bowl filled with one cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot water wash cycle. Skip the drying cycle. Open out the dishwasher and sprinkle in a cup of baking soda along the dishwasher floor. Follow this up with another short, hot water cycle.
Garbage Disposal: Once a Week
Your garbage disposal needs a weekly cleaning to keep odors at bay, even with all the water being used regularly. Create a cleaning foam with 1/2 cup baking soda and then slowly add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar with the disposal off. This combination foams up to reach every crevice, so remember to use your sink stopper to trap the foam inside. Once the fizzing stops, flush through with hot water.
Cooktop and Oven: Seasonally
You won’t have to do heavy-duty cleaning for your cooktop and oven if you wipe up spills and splatters immediately. Clean your cooktops with mild dishwashing soap and a hot water solution, avoiding harsh cleaners or metal scrubbers.
Clean Washer: Once a Month
You can’t really expect to have really clean clothes if your washer is dirty. Cleaning both front load and top load washers is a simple task. Add a quart of chlorine bleach to your empty washer and run a hot water wash cycle, with an extra rinse cycle added on at the end.
