Nothing clears the mind like a deep spring clean after a (very!) wet and cold winter. Spring is the perfect time to find cleaning inspiration to freshen up your home, but rather than repeating your usual cleaning process, this spring brings a chance to treat your house to a professional grade clean.
These seven tips provided by Appliances Online’s category expert Colin Jones will help make this year’s spring clean a breeze.
Tip 1: microwave
Your microwave may develop a bad food smell from overuse throughout the year. Place one cup of water and two tablespoons of white vinegar with some freshly squeezed lemon juice in a bowl and microwave for five minutes.
Tip 2: washing machine
Over time, musty smells may begin to develop in your washing machine, which can go through to your clothing. Add one cup of apple cider vinegar into the dispenser of your machine and run it empty on a full cycle.
Tip 3: oven
This is a step-by-step guide for a cleaner oven:
- Mix ½ cup baking soda with water until it is a spreadable paste-like consistency
- Using a brush, smear the entire inside of your oven and oven door, and leave it overnight (trick: you can also use this to clean your oven racks and trays)
- In a spray bottle, mix a combination of vinegar and water and spray the inside of the oven, using a damp cloth to remove the residue. Some harder to remove bits may require a scraper to remove entirely.
Tip 4: cooktops
- Mix ½ cup baking soda with lemon until it is a spreadable paste-like consistency
- Apply it to the cooktop in a circular motion
- Wipe down the cooktop with a damp cloth and use a good paper towel to dry
Tip 5: rangehood filters
Rangehood filters are a key part to your rangehood and these should be kept clean;
- Remove the filters and place them in the sink with a combination of hot water, detergent and ¼ cup of baking soda. Leave them to soak for 15-to-20 minutes, if they are extremely dirty you may need to scrub them with a dish brush or scourer
- Once done, place the filters into your dishwasher on the hottest temperature (this will flush out built-up grease in between the filters)
- Once the cycle has finished, take the filters out and leave to dry completely before placing back into your rangehood
Tip 6: dishwasher
- Place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher, or pour directly into the dishwasher drain and run a short cycle. This will loosen trapped food particles causing the odours, giving you a fresher smell-free dishwasher
- Remove filters and soak them in warm water for 10 minutes. Give them a good rinse under hot running water and place back in your dishwasher. Throw ½ cup of baking soda down the drain hole as well to freshen it up
- Remove the spray arms and check there are no food particles blocking the spray jets. You can use a wire to clean out the holes of any hard deposits that can prevent them from working properly.
Tip 7: vacuum cleaner
To ensure your vacuum continues to run smoothly, the filters should be cleaned at least once every three months.
- Open up your vacuum, remove the filter and tap it against a hard surface to shake off loose dust. Using a dry brush, gently remove the remaining dust. Ensure this is done outdoors so the dust doesn’t end up back inside!
- Any fine dust remaining can be rinsed under a cold tap, hold the filter under the running water until it runs clear (be sure to check for electrical components or attachments before rinsing in water)
- Leave to dry in direct sunlight, and ensure the filter is completely dry before placing it back in the vacuum.
- At the same time, give your vacuum’s dust container a good rinse of any residual dust and grime, remembering to let it dry completely before reassembling.
