When doing chores and our daily routine, we take advantage of the normal household items to assist us. We load our dirty dishes in the dishwasher, throw our laundry in the washing machine, or clean our face in the sink — but when was the last time you cleaned these common household items? For many, the answer is never or months and months ago. So let’s dive into how to deep clean these daily-use amenities and appliances in your home.
Deep Clean These Household Items
Showerhead & Faucet
With the boom of skincare on social media, many have not only paid attention to the products that they use, but also the water they are using when showering, brushing their teeth, and washing their face. And that attention boils down to the cleanliness of where your tap water comes from: the faucet and the showerhead. While the good ole spray and scrub method may suffice, a deeper clean can make a huge difference.
For both the faucet and the showerhead, remove the showerhead and faucet components by unscrewing them from the fixture. This may require a wrench. Use a soft bristle brush and vinegar to scrub away any debris and calcium build-up and rinse. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda on the showerhead or faucet and place it in a bowl. Pour over enough vinegar to fully submerge the faucet or showerhead. Soak for at least 30 minutes. Remove from the vinegar solution, brush away any build-up, rinse, and reassemble. Take note that your showerhead may require new plumbing tape. We recommend cleaning your showerhead and faucets once a month to keep calcium and lime deposit buildup at bay.
Dishwasher & Washing Machine
You would think that the appliances used to clean your dishes and your laundry would simultaneously clean themselves. However, after cleaning away food, dirt, and stains, your dishwasher and washing machine will need their own wash down.
Similarly to cleaning your showerhead, disassembling your dishwasher and washing machine may be the solution to finding the source of an odor or why your dishes and clothes aren’t getting cleaned. This may take a YouTube tutorial or peaking back at the user manual to find the proper way to disassemble your dishwasher or washing machine. After properly disassembling the necessary components, give them a good scrub to remove build-up. If it has been quite a while since your last clean, soak the components in a vinegar and baking soda mixture. Soak for 10-15 minutes, scrub, rinse, and reassemble.
Cleaning Tablets
Thankfully, with the advances in technology and cleaning products, washing tablets specifically for your dishwasher and washing machine have been developed — one of our favorites is the Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner and Washing Machine Cleaner. Keep in mind that these tablets are separate from the tablets used to wash your dishes or laundry. After reassembling your dishwasher and washing machine, place a tablet in the tub of your empty dishwasher or washing machine. Select the cleaning cycle or the hottest cycle available and press start. Allow the machine to run its course. Once finished, wipe away build-up or debris that may have washed up.
After our week of hustle and bustle, we tend to forget to clean the items that help us clean throughout the week. And if you find yourself puzzled when asking yourself when was the last time you deep cleaned , faucet, dishwasher, or washing machine, give these cleaning tips a try and see the difference they will make on your dishes, clothes, and even your skin.
For more cleaning tips, make sure to stay in-the-know on social media. We chime in weekly with tips and tricks to leading a clean home. When in doubt or when low on time, give the cleaning pros at Pink Shoe a call! The Pink Shoe Cleaning Crew offers so much more beyond just house cleaning…we help to provide peace of mind and more valuable time with your family and friends – as you deserve. And more often than not, housekeeping is so not your thing…luckily for you, it’s ours!
