Cleaning Tips

Run your dishwasher while it's empty. Add a little white vinegar to it beforehand to get rid of any odors. If you have a food trap in the bottom of your dishwasher, clean it out.

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Wash the insides of your garbage cans. Try using a strong bleach-and-water solution. Rinse them out and let them dry outside. Clean drains and garbage disposals. Run a lemon or a cup of white vinegar through your garbage disposal to get rid of any unfortunate smells.

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Clean your microwave. To get tough gunk off, fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and microwave it on high for a few minutes. Keep the doors closed for a couple more minutes to let the steam work on spills, then wipe everything down with a soapy rag. Rinse and wipe dry.

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Give your sink a good scrubbing. Keeping your sink clean is a good way to get inspired to do the dishes instead of leaving them to pile up. Fill the sink to the rim with water and pour in a cup of bleach to disinfect. Scrub the inside of your sink with baking soda to get rid of extra-tough stains. Rinse and finish with a shining spray or wipe.

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1. Clean out your pots and pans. Scrub cast iron with a soft sponge and coarse salt, then rinse away the salt. Stainless steel can in fact be stained by heat and hot water. Remove stains with a soft cloth and white vinegar, then dry with a clean cloth. Never soak stainless steel pots and pans because the surfaces will become pitted.

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