Clean your cleaning machines

The worst household odors can come from the appliances that help you keep things clean.

            You might not think you need to clean your garbage disposal, dishwasher or washing machine because it seems they would clean themselves as they wash dishes and clothes or swirl food scraps down the drain.

            But an occasional cleaning will keep residue from food, dirty clothes or standing water from stinking. It also will clear away soap scum, grease, bacteria, germs and limescale caused by “hard” water.

            Every month or so, load your kitchen sink drain with a cupful of ice cubes mixed with white vinegar. Run the disposal. The disposal will crunch and chomp, but it’s OK; the pulverizing of the ice cubes will sharpen its blades.

After the ice cubes are gone, pour a capful of cooking oil into the drain. The oil will clear away leftover noises and rough spots.

Next, tackle the dishwasher. Use a small scrub brush or even a toothbrush dipped in hot, soapy water. Use a non-abrasive cleanser if you need something stronger to remove grime and stains. Scrub the folds in the rubber seal around the door and the bottoms of the dish racks. Loosen debris that has collected around the drain; it can scratch your dishes. Wipe the whole thing down with a wet sponge to remove the junk you’ve loosened and to rinse off the soap.  

Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled of white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the otherwise-empty dishwasher on its hottest cycle. The vinegar will cut through any leftover grease and grime and will neutralize odors.  

And once a year, fill your empty washing machine tub with hot water. Pour in three cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. Remove the fabric softener receptacle and bleach dispenser and soak them in hot, soapy water. Nudge stubborn dirt and stains with a Q-tip.

Use vinegar and a washcloth to wipe down the machine’s exterior surfaces.