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.
Kids are Back to School and It is Time to Clean the House before Colder Weather Sets In
As much as you have enjoyed having your kids around for the summer, their return to school presents a great opportunity to get your house cleaned before colder weather sets in. Throughout most of the summer with kids coming in and out your house was exposed to dirt and pollen. Now that the kids are back to school, it is time to clean up your home and get ready for the fall. Hope you will find helpful the following house cleaning tips.
Create a House Cleaning Checklist for the Kids
Kids and adults alike tend to get lax on their chores while enjoying summer activities. Now that school is back in session, it is time to take responsibility again for household chores and creating a house cleaning list for your children will get them involved in the cleaning process. You can start by having them clean their rooms once a week to prevent unnecessary clutter from building up and then give them a couple more chores throughout the rest of the house. You can motivate your kids to help out by establishing an award system.
Declutter Your Home
Unnecessary objects can accumulate quickly in your home and take up a lot of space. Objects that you no longer need, or use are just clutter and eliminating these objects can help reorganize the space in a better way. Decluttering is a good exercise for everyone in the family and you’ll be surprised at how much more space you will create.
Clean Your Carpet and Upholstery
Letting in fresh air during the summer is refreshing but the air coming in from outside contains dirt, pollen, and other airborne allergens that settle throughout your home. This dirt and debris accumulate on the furniture and carpeting which makes it a good idea to have your carpet and upholstery steam cleaned. For best results contact an expert like ServiceMaster DAK to provide professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services. After having your carpeting steam cleaned, you can keep it clean with regular vacuuming.
Use Doormats to Keep Dirt Out
The consistent in-and-out traffic in the summer results in dirt, grass, and other outside debris being tracked into the house. The best way to keep outside dirt out of your home is by establishing a “no shoes” rule in the house. Placing a doormat or shoe basket near the entrances in your home will encourage others to follow the no shoes rule.
Clean Your Appliances
We use washing machines and dishwashers quite regularly but do we clean these appliances as needed? Dishwashers and washing machines pick up residue and foul odors that should be cleaned out so that the appliances can be more effective. Wipe down these machines to remove any built-up residue and use white vinegar to eliminate any odors.
Now that the kids are back in school, take this opportunity to clean the house before the colder fall weather starts settling in.
If you do not have the time to clean your home before back to school and need an extra hand or 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.
With the summer season in full swing, we are already just days away from everyone’s favorite summer holiday, the 4th of July. The 4th of July is a great holiday for gathering with friends and family and it is one of the most popular holidays to host cookouts. If you are planning on hosting a cookout at your home and entertaining guests, it is a good idea to prepare your home by cleaning it up and taking actions to ensure that your 4th of July celebration is safe for all involved. Cleaning up your home will not only get it ready for company, but also give you an opportunity to make a good impression on your friends and family with a clean home. These tips will help you prepare your home for a safe 4th of July celebration.
House Cleaning Tips
If you did not have time to finish your spring cleaning, there is no need to panic as you can get your home clean and presentable for your 4th of July guests with just a few tasks. By cleaning these main areas of your home, you can make your house look a lot cleaner and more presentable.
Front of the House: The front of your house is what your guests will notice first before they even reach your property so making sure your yard and home look good from the street will help make a good impression. Mow your lawn and clean up any debris from your yard such as sticks, leaves, and toys and clean up any nests or spider webs that may be on your porch or the front of your house.
Doors to the Outside:Most 4th of July parties involve guests moving from inside your house to the yard which means that the door to your yard will be used often. Whether you have a glass sliding door or a more traditional door, make sure both sides of the door and any windows are clean as guests will be using it throughout the entire party.
Deck or Patio:If your 4th of July party will mostly be taking place in an outside area such as a deck or patio, make sure that area is clean and free of any debris. You can prepare your deck or patio by sweeping the area and pressure washing it if you have the time.
Pool:If you have a pool that will be open to your guests, you should make sure to clean out any debris from the water and vacuum the bottom to make the pool more appealing.
As this 4th of July quickly approaches, use these tips to help prepare your home for guests and plan out a safe 4th of July celebration that can be enjoyed by everyone. If you do not have the time to clean your home before the 4th or would like to have your home professionally cleaned after hosting a cookout, 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.
Give your carpet some freshening by sprinkling baking soda and letting it sit for a half hour, then vacuum.
Remove lime build-upfrom around the kitchen or bathroom faucets by soaking a clean cloth in white vinegar and let it penetrate the affected areas for 20 minutes (while you tackle other chores). Rinse with clear water. BONUS: Old pantyhose make a great bathroom scrubber.
Wash windowswith a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth, newspaper, or clean coffee filters. This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.
Take down that grungy plastic shower curtainand wash it with a load of soiled towels. Add 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Hang it back up to dry with the exhaust fan running, or line dry it outside.
Freshen your drapes, comforters, throw rugs, and blankets by hanging them outside (weather permitting – not recommended on very humid days) for a couple of hours. Let the sun and wind work their magic. If the items are especially musty, sprinkle them with baking soda first. Shake or vacuum off.
Call the 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.
With nearly all kids out of school in the United States and in many other places around the world, and large numbers of workers telecommuting, many houses are more crowded than usual.
And bathrooms are perhaps the one crucial point in the house where all humans — and therefore microbes — pass through. So during the present pandemic, keeping your toilets, sinks, counters and showers as germ-free as possible is key to keeping you and your family healthy.
As you get ready to clean your bathroom, start by making sure to wash your hands.
If you’re using disinfectants, you should pick higher-quality ones. The US Environmental Protection Agency released a five-page list of disinfectants — including Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and certain Lysol sprays — which are strong enough to defeat “harder to kill” viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
It’s important to focus on cleaning “high-touch” areas of your bathroom including light switches, door knobs and the sink areas in particular. That can also include less obvious areas everyone in the house likely touches, including shower heads, shower curtains and around the toilet seat.
Anything that people touch should be cleaned, whether they have symptoms or not. That includes hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers or other appliances in the bathroom. (You may not have touched razors recently if you’re trying to grow out a gnarly quarantine beard.)
We know you would never forget this, but just a friendly reminder not to forget to make sure devices are assuredly unplugged and turned off before you embark on a deep clean.
You should consider placing a wipeable cover on electronic devices if you can, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises, and try to use a solution that’s at least 70% alcohol.
It pays to be thorough, because droplets capable of carrying the virus can really get around within your bathroom.
Call the 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.
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about COVID-19, spread from person-to-person of this virus happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, like doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, toys, etc. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.
It is unknown how long the air inside a room occupied by someone with confirmed COVID-19 remains potentially infectious. Facilities will need to consider factors such as the size of the room and the ventilation system design (including flowrate [air changes per hour] and location of supply and exhaust vents) when deciding how long to close off rooms or areas used by ill persons before beginning disinfection. Taking measures to improve ventilation in an area or room where someone was ill or suspected to be ill with COVID-19 will help shorten the time it takes respiratory droplets to be removed from the air.
Purpose
This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households where persons under investigation (PUI) or those with confirmed COVID-19 reside or may be in self- isolation. It is aimed at limiting the survival of the virus in the environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.
These guidelines are focused on household settings and are meant for the general public.
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
General recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection of households
Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and electronics (see below for special electronics cleaning and disinfection instructions)) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions.
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