Cleaning Your Washing Machine

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

It’s important to maintain your appliances! You may give your fridge a thorough clean out, and your microwave a wipe down once a week. You clean the lint trap from your dryer every time you dry your clothes. But what about your washing machine? Are you noticing a foul smell every time you open the lid to start a new load?
 
Then it maybe time to give your washing machine a good clean! Hard-water minerals can build up as well as general dirt and grime and left-over laundry detergent – sort of like how your tub builds up soap scum if it’s not cleaned. Mold and mildew can hide under the washer lid/door.

So, to get rid of the funk, every six months when you do your spring and fall cleaning, here’s what to do if you’ve got a front-loading washing machine.

Grab white vinegar, a spray bottle, a towel or microfiber cloth, and some baking soda. First, clean around the gasket with that white vinegar and spray bottle. Wipe it down with the damp towel, and make sure to get all the stuff that’s accumulated.

Next, set your washer to the very highest level with the highest temperature. Add two cups of vinegar to your detergent dispenser and run through a complete cycle. When that’s done, add a half cup of baking soda to the drum and run again – still using the highest level and hottest water temperature. When it’s done, wipe down the inside of the drum. Go ahead and wipe down the front as well.

If you’ve got a top loading washing machine, you’ll need a toothbrush, vinegar, a towel or microfiber cloth, and baking soda.

 Again, set your washer to the highest level and the hottest setting, add four cups of vinegar to the wash cycle. After it starts, pause your machine and let it sit for an hour. While it’s sitting, it’s a good idea to wipe down the nobs and the front of your washing machine. You can even use an old toothbrush to scrub out the fabric softener and bleach dispensers that have gotten clogged with gunk. Continue your wash cycle after an hour. Then follow that with a cup of baking soda, and at the end of your cycle wipe down your tub.

And now you’ve got a clean washing machine!

If you’ve had water damage from your washer, give us a call today at 817.560.3086!

Cleaning Your Dishwasher

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

When you’re cleaning your house, doing the dishes is probably on your list. But what about the dishwasher itself? Cleaning the dishwasher probably didn’t even cross your mind. It’s important to clean your dishwasher to prevent dirty dish water from pooling at the bottom of the basin, smells, and even bigger problems that may occur down the road such as drainage back up that can cause water damage.

1. Start with a completely empty dishwasher, pull out the bottom rack completely and examine the drain. Make sure it’s not clogged and remove any gunk or hard chunks. These could prevent drainage resulting in water damage to the structure of your home or damage your dishes and the appliance itself.
2. Replace your bottom rack, and with the dishwasher still empty, fill a dishwasher safe cup with around one cup of white vinegar, and place the cup in the upper rack of your dishwasher and run it using the highest water setting. Vinegar can help cut through mineral deposits and old detergent build up and help with deodorization.
3. With the dishwasher still empty, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the basin and run on the shortest cycle using the hottest water possible. This can help remove stains and help with any residual odors.

For all your other cleaning needs, don’t forget SERVPRO of Lake Worth/Benbrook is here to help 24/7! Give us a call today at 817.560.3086