Clean This “Most-Used” Thing in Your Home for Instant Satisfaction

For all the hard work our appliances do — whether they brew our morning fuel, heat our leftovers, clean our dishes, or dry our clothes — they need some care to keep up the great work. Without it, they can often fall into disrepair or stop performing optimally. 

That’s why today we’re going to clean your “most-loved,” aka most-used, appliance.

Pick your most-used appliance (or one that really needs some love), big or small, and dedicate today’s assignment to cleaning it. Here are some options to consider.

Your dishwasher requires regular cleaning — here are some signs that it needs one ASAP! — and experts recommend using a dishwasher cleaner at least every three months. Vinegar is great to use weekly to naturally disinfect your dishwasher. Be sure to wipe down the seals and exterior — and don’t forget to clean the dishwasher filter, too.

It’s important not to wait too long to clean your washer or dryer — they should receive some level of care at least monthly —  as it’ll not only impact the longevity of the machine, but also the quality of the items you put in them.

• For washers: Depending on the type of washer you have (top-load or front-load), you may have to take extra steps to clean it. For instance, a top-load washer is more prone to getting mold or mildew buildup, so be on the lookout for it. A front-load washer’s door seals and gaskets will need regular cleaning. For both, be sure to clean the inside, along with any of the compartments, as well as the outside. Consider purchasing a washing machine cleaner like this one that you can easily throw in on a regular or self-cleaning cycle, or clean with vinegar. 
• For dryers: Take out the lint filter and give it a rinse with warm water. Make sure it’s dry before putting it back inside. Also, it’s important to remove lint from the lint filter before every load. Take the time to inspect the dryer exhaust on the outside of your home to make sure there’s no debris or blockage. Additionally, the dryer vent needs to be cleaned at least once a year. You can do so by using an extendable wand or vacuum attachment, however, it may be best to get this professionally taken care of — especially if you are unsure or have a longer vent tube.

Small appliances you use regularly need some care, too. I recently cleaned my rice cooker, something I had forgotten to do for so long. I took out any removable pieces and washed and dried them, then with some all-purpose cleaner carefully wiped the rice cooker inside and out. I wiped it dry with a clean cloth and put all the pieces back. The whole process took me less than 10 minutes. Here are some other small appliances you can clean: the coffee maker, your air fryer, the microwave, or a toaster oven.

PRO TIP: Consider this your chance to flag time on the calendar for the next scheduled cleaning for whatever appliance you ended up taking care of today.

Tell us what appliance needed a cleaning today in the comments below. 

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