HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO CLEAN MY DISHWASHER?

HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO CLEAN MY DISHWASHER?

Although it seems counter-intuitive, dishwashers can get pretty darn dirty—even with all the hot water and detergent constantly running through it. Whether it’s the chemicals in dish washing soap or grease and grime buildup, your once-pristine dishwasher may be brimming with scummy residue, germs, and odors. Not only that, they can get clogged and there will be nasty, smelly water sitting in the bottom, which is gross! While we know we need to properly care for our coffee machines, clean our electric kettles, and sanitize our counter-tops, we rarely think to do the same for our cleaning devices. Luckily, cleaning your dishwasher is quick and easy with items you already have in the pantry: vinegar, baking soda, or bleach.

HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO CLEAN MY DISHWASHER?
Don’t worry! You don’t have to spend all your free time with your head in the machine. Do a deep clean including an alkaline wash and drain trap scrub once a month. You should wipe down the panel and controls once a week. That said, if you notice that the dishwasher is smelly, moldy, or not cleaning as well as it normally does, it’s time to don the rubber gloves and get in there.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY DISHWASHER WITH VINEGAR?
You might be surprised by all the problems you can solve with apple cider vinegar. But for this chore,  works best. Fill a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl with white vinegar and place it on the upper rack of your machine. Run the otherwise-empty dishwasher on the hottest setting—this will allow the vinegar to absorb odors and erode grimy buildup on the walls of the machine. Vinegar is astringently acidic, which makes it a great agent for breaking down scum on most appliances (you can use it to clean your washing machine, too). Keep a spray bottle with vinegar on hand and spritz the inside of your machine frequently in between washes for prolonged sparkle.

HOW DO I CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER WITH BAKING SODA?
Maybe you already use baking soda to remove pesticides from fruit. It’s a safe and mild alkali substance that goes a long way in removing persistent residue left by food waste. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda along the bottom of your dishwasher and rinse on a hot-water cycle. Repeat this process when you have especially stubborn stains or smells. For extra cleaning punch, create “baking soda bombs” by mixing 2 cups of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a bowl until it’s a paste-like consistency. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper and allow to dry for a few hours. Toss them on the bottom of your dishwasher and run a hot-water cycle in an empty machine. For a fresher scent, add a few drops of an essential oil to the mix.

HOW DO I CLEAN A DISHWASHER WITH BLEACH?
Proceed with caution! While bleach is great for killing germs, mildew, and mold, it can ruin a dishwasher if the inside is made of stainless-steel or has any stainless-steel parts on the inside. If your machine has any stainless-steel parts on the inside, use one of the methods listed above. If you have determined with 100 percent certainty that your dishwasher is lined with plastic and has plastic parts (this is usually the case with less expensive models), then bleach away. Follow the same method as vinegar—fill a bowl with about 1/2 cup bleach and run the machine, empty, on the hottest setting.

HOW DO I CLEAN A DISHWASHER DRAIN TRAP?
With most modern dishwashers, you don’t need to fully rinse the dishes before loading them into the machine. Doing so can actually make the machine less efficient, as the internal sensor will think that the dishes are clean and sanitized before they actually are—causing it to run a shorter cycle. That said, go ahead and scrape off any large pieces of food as they are candidate no. 1 for clogging the dishwasher drain trap.
Speaking of the drain trap, check it frequently to make sure there’s not a bunch of gross stuff in there just waiting to stink up the place. If there is, start by removing and disassembling it. Once it’s apart, use a sponge or toothbrush and dish soap to remove any stuck-on food bits or mold.

These are just some great tips to help you get through your week – but if you would like to have your home professionally cleaned; contact Tidy Up Angels and we will do your entire house cleaning. Call the Tidy Up Angels today at 913-642-2006 – or fill out our online estimator for your home: https://tidyupangels.com/house-cleaning/ And ask us about our whole house cleaning services in Leawood KS specials.

How to clean your washing machine

How to clean your washing machine

If your washing machine is smelling worse than your sweaty workout shirt, it’s time to give it a good cleaning. Yes, even washing machines get dirty.

Laundry soils, detergent and hard-water minerals build up in areas you can’t see and mold and mildew can thrive in the washer lid and the door..

So how do you de-funk a washer? These are some easy green-cleaning tips every six months to avoid any issues.

How to clean a front-loading washing machine:

What you’ll need:

  • White cleaning vinegar
  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Baking soda

What you’ll do:

  1. Before cleaning the washer drum, clean the gasket by spraying it with white vinegar and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth. The rubber gasket at the front of the washer, especially in a high-efficiency (HE) washer, accumulates water, hair, scum and mildew.
  2. Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature.
  3. Add two cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser.
  4. Run it through a complete cycle.
  5. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum.
  6. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth.
  7. While you’re at it, wipe down the front of the machine, too.

How to clean a top-loading washing machine:

What you’ll need:

  • White cleaning vinegar
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Toothbrush
  • Baking soda

What you’ll do:

  1. Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest setting.
  2. Add four cups of white cleaning vinegar to the wash cycle.
  3. After the cycle starts, pause the machine and allow it to sit for an hour.
  4. During this time, wipe down the top of the washer with a microfiber cloth dipped in the hot vinegar water.
  5. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the fabric softener and bleach dispensers.
  6. After an hour, continue the wash cycle.
  7. Then run another wash cycle using one cup of baking soda.
  8. At the end of the cycle, wipe the top inside of the washer tub with a microfiber cloth to remove any scum.

One final tip: Prevent mildew and mold by leaving the lid or door open when not in use.

Now your washer will be ready to clean your clothes again!

For all your home cleaning needs; contact Tidy Up Angels and we will do your entire house cleaning. Call the Tidy Up Angels today at 913-642-2006 – or fill out our online estimator for your home: https://tidyupangels.com/house-cleaning/ And ask us about our whole house cleaning services in Leawood KS specials.