Hello again, everyone! We have officially hit the halfway point of 2021! We hope everyone has had a productive, fun and CLEAN year so far. June is here which means so is summer! Everyone knows spring cleaning is a thing but we use every season as an excuse to get down to the nitty gritty and hit the reset button with clean spaces… So with that being said… We are ready for some good summer cleaning and we hope you are too!
For May, we talked about the things we can do throughout the month to keep our homes clean and tidy and to avoid build up. Upkeep is everything but we still need those deep cleans every once in a while and the change of season is a perfect time to do just that! We’ll dive into a few items/appliances that are often forgotten and give you some tips and tricks on the best way to clean them. All you’ll need is a jug of white vinegar and some baking soda!
Microwave: If you’re not the best at wiping down the inside of the microwave after each use then grime is probably building up and can be hard to get off if you let it sit. Heat up a bowl of water mixed with 3 tablespoons of white vinegar and some slices of lemon. Microwave on high for about a minute, let it sit and then open and wipe the insides. This will soften all the dried up grime and make it real easy to clean!
Dishwasher: Our dishwasher does all of the dirty work for us. We rely on it to keep our dishes clean but when is the last time you made sure it was clean itself??? Wiping it down after each use is a good way to avoid food and grime to build up but it needs a deep clean every now and then too. Fill a bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar on the bottom shelf of your empty dishwasher and run it through a hot water cycle. This will break down any food, grime or soap scum and leave it like new.
Coffee maker: If you’re like most people after brewing a pot of coffee you probably toss your filter and then rinse out the pot when you’re finished and ta-da! Unfortunately, coffee makers are perfect grounds for bacteria and mold to grow due to the constant moisture so regular deep cleaning is a must. If you have an old fashioned coffee maker, filling the reservoir with half water and half vinegar will do the trick. Pause the brewing process mid-cycle and let the solution sit for 15 minutes before letting it finish. Brew a pot of clean water alone afterwards to rinse. If you have a Keurig, most have a cleaning setting you can run for quick daily cleaning. Don’t forget to take apart your makers and clean with soapy water on a regular basis.
Shower head: You may not even notice it because it happens over time but our shower heads get clogged and it starts to affect the water pressure. You guessed it… Mix white vinegar and water into a bucket or plastic bag and let the shower head soak in the mixture for an hour or so. The mixture will soak into the holes and unclog anything that may be blocking water from coming out.
Drains: More noticeable than our shower heads, the drains get clogged a lot more often with grime, dirt and hair. This includes sink and shower drains. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda along with 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a towel or cloth and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Let hot water flush down the drain afterwards.
Windows: We all make sure our household mirrors are clean but we often forget the many windows in our home. Although we have a few favorite glass cleaning products we like to use, there’s nothing like a homemade solution. Try mixing 1/2 a cup of white vinegar with a 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of water. This works great on glass and is perfect for windows and their sills. (Pro tip: Use a coffee filter to wipe windows/mirrors for a flawless, streak-less finish!).
These are just a few of the many items that could always use a good clean! Set a day aside to hit all of the uncommon spots and items and your family and home will thank you. As always, if you need the extra help just call our team and we’ll make sure to Keep it Clean! Ask us about our summer specials, we are sure to have something to fit your schedule and budget!
Until next time, friends! 😉