How to Maintain and Clean Your Appliances

They clean your things…but they need to be cleaned too! How to clean appliances like your washing machine, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and microwave

Maintaining the things that maintain your things

Did you know that in order to keep your washing machine working properly, you need to give it a good washing? How about your dishwasher? We have some tips to clean appliances and help you keep them working in top shape:

Washing Machine

About once a month, you should run an empty hot load through your washing machine. Add about 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda to the water and let it run through a full cycle. This will help eliminate odors and mineral build-ups. You can use these Affresh tablets which are especially helpful with front-loader mildew issues. Of course, always make sure to wipe down the door seal and prop open your front loader door to avoid mildew growth.

Dishwasher

Make sure to empty your filters and traps regularly. (Find the instructions for your particular model in the manual. Or online, because do you still have that manual??) Then place a bowl of vinegar upright on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run a cycle on the hottest temperature possible. Don’t love the smell of vinegar? Try these Affresh tablets, made for the dishwasher.

Garbage Disposal

This needs regular cleaning to eliminate odors.

This is the cleaning method recommended by Roto Rooter for eliminating odors:

1. Using tongs, place 2 peeled lemon halves in the garbage disposal.
2. Add ice cubes.
3. Turn on the disposal.
4. Pour in a cup of liquid dish soap.
5. Run cold water for 30 seconds.
6. Turn off the disposal.

You can also clean the inside by pouring baking soda down the drain and pouring vinegar on top of it. Finally, combine sharpening your blades and cleaning by pouring 1 cup of rock salt down the drain along with ice cubes.

Microwave

Place 1 cup of water and some lemon, lime or orange slices (squeeze a little juice from the slices into the water) or several tablespoons of white or apple cider vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and set it inside our appliance. Turn it on high power for several minutes until the mixture boils and the window is steamy. Let it cool for 5 minutes before opening the door. Remove the bowl and wipe the inside clean with a sponge.