Rain, sun, snow, it must be Spring in Oregon. Take advantage of these chilly, wet days to dig into some spring cleaning. Before you start organizing closets and tackling the kid’s rooms, don’t forget to give some extra attention to the often overlooked items that work tirelessly to help us keep our homes clean all year long.
1. Washing Machine. The soap residue, minerals, and chemicals from your detergent can get locked inside your washing machine and create a thin film that traps bacteria. These bacteria can clog the inner mechanisms, so your water doesn’t get as hot, and your detergent won’t be as strong. Not to mention they can create quite a stink after a while. Give your machine a monthly clean utilizing hot water and white vinegar to keep your clothes fresh and clean.
2. Dishwasher. Even if it is self-cleaning, food bits and detergent particles can clog up the drain and cause bacteria to build, ultimately diminishing the efficiency of your washer. Learn the best way to clean your washer here.
3. Sponges. You can only imagine what’s lurking in your kitchen sponge, right? That squishy square can house up to 300 types of bacteria that end up on your hands, countertops, and in your food. Although there are many ways to clean your sponge, the quickest is to pop it (make sure it’s wet) in the microwave for about a minute.
When you are ready to tackle the whole house, here is a checklist that can help keep you on track. So get busy and when the sun does come out you can go outside and play.
