How To Clean A Smelly Front-Loading Washing Machine

In today's homes, front-loading washing machines are a popular choices as compared to traditional, top-loading machines for 3 main reasons:

1. They wash more clothes per cycle, lowering household energy costs
2. They're environmentally-friendly, using less water per cycle
3. They're gentler on clothes, preserving colors and fabrics longer

They also require more care in the "cleaning" department.

Because of the way most front-loading washers are built, they tend to pool water in their drums, which can be a breeding ground bacteria and mildew.

Whether your front-loading washer smells "dirty" or not, you'll want to follow proper procedures to keep it clean.

First, only use High Efficiency detergent. High Efficiency detergent is super-concentrated and creates fewer suds than traditional laundry detergent. Fewer suds means more soap is drained in the rinse cycle, leaving fewer chemicals and fragrances to sit in the drum.

High Efficiency detergent is also sold fragrance-free. This is the preferred variety for a long-term, stink-free washing machine.

Next, at least once weekly, take a dry cloth and wipe the inside rim of your front-loading washer. There, you will find a wide plastic tube in which water settles between loads of laundry. If you find stains or grime, remove it.

If your washer has a drain filter on its front-lower edge, remove the filter and allow the water to drain -- preferably onto a towel or into a bucket.

Then, lastly, consider running an empty cycle with just bleach and water. This is optional, but can help remove lingering stench.  

Once your front-loading washing machine is cleaned, going forward, after each load runs, try leaving your washer's front door open. This will allow fresh air to circulate through the washer and help drum-settled water to evaporate.

With less water and humidity in the drum, bacteria growth is slowed.

 

 

Removing Stains On Walls : Crayon, Mildew And More

Painting rooms in a home can be a do-it-yourself project. Armed with paint, tape, tarp and some brushes, there's nothing you can't re-color.

While some rooms call for a complete sand-down, there are some that don't, and for those, Rule #1 is that your walls must be stain-free before adding the next coat of paint.

Stains can come in all varieties and the most basic stains can be treated with a damp rag or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. For everything else, you'll need a more cleaning power.

For example, of all the stain-types, "grime" is the most common. To remove ground-in dirt and oil, start with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket, then add 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.

Rub gently and follow up with a clean water rinse.

For other common stains, try these remedies:

• Permanent Marker : Blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow to air dry.
• Mildew : Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 4 cups of water. Spray and allow to air dry.
• Crayon : Dust a damp sponge with baking soda and scrub. Baby wipes work, too.

If your wall stains are "water stains"; the result of a leak or something similar, make sure the water source is corrected prior to painting. Then, to remove spots, mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, thoroughly rinse the stain, and use a hair dryer to dry the solution on the wall.

Once cleaned, your walls are ready to paint.

How To Clean Outdoor Furniture : Resin, Wood And Metal

This week marks the official start of Summer. If your home's outdoor area has furniture in it, you'll want to make sure that your furniture is clean.

In this 4-minute video from Lowe's, you'll learn tricks to keep your outdoor furniture clean, and protected from the elements. All types of outdoor furniture are covered in the lesson including metal, resin-based, and wooden.

The offered tips include:

• Why you should never remove the "care tags" from a furniture pillow
• Choosing the proper pressure-washer tip for the job at-hand
• How to use car wax as a rust-preventative

Furthermore, the instructional video includes tips for cleaning fabrics and canopies; and for shampooing an outdoor rug.

There's lot of reasons to keep your outdoor furniture clean -- health reasons among them -- but it shouldn't be lost that clean furniture will have a longer useful life than furniture that's been neglected or ignored.

Clean your outdoor pieces at least twice annually and they'll give you years of good looks and comfort.

How To Protect Your Home From The Influenza Virus

The 2010-2011 Flu Season has started and the Center for Disease Control expects that the H1N1 influenza virus (i.e "Swine Flu") will play a large role in Hayward and worldwide, as in 2009-2010. Last year, the virus reached pandemic status -- the first time that's happened in 40 years.

In public places, avoiding "germy" places can be difficult. But within your home, you can easily create germ-free spaces.  This 4-minute interview from NBC's The Today Show teaches about the flu virus, and how to protect yourself.

A few of the cleanliness tips shared include:

• Flu virus can live for up to 8 hours on a household surface
• Computer keyboards carry 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat
• Make sure your cleaning tools (i.e. sponges, mops) are, themselves, clean

The video also shares tips for keeping a cleaner, safer home, plus facts on the influenza virus.

Stay clean, stay healthy, and consider vaccinations. The flu virus hospitalizes 200,000 people each year.

 

Rid Your Kitchen Of Hidden Dirt And Grime

A kitchen is often a home's busiest room -- a meeting place for meals and conversation. It's also among the home's most grimy rooms. Bacteria, dirt and germs collect on floors, on countertops, and inside appliances.

In this 4-minute clip from NBC's The Today Show, you'll learn how to rid your kitchen of "nastiness".  The featured fixes use nothing but basic household cleansers and elbow grease, and they include:

• How to clean and restore wooden cutting boards and bowls
• How to remove "burn stains" from the side of a frying pan
• How to eliminate pervasive dishwasher odors

The segment also tackles why you should choose loofah over sponge, and how to catch fruit flies.

For as much time as you spend in your kitchen, it's best to keep it clean and sanitized.

White Distilled Vinegar : An Environmentally-Friendly Home Cleaning Solution

Supermarket aisles in the Hayward area are filled with specialty cleansers -- some for the kitchen, some for the bathroom, some for the carpets. Loaded with chemicals, these cleansers can be tough on the environment and costly, too.

If you're in search of an alternative, consider white distilled vinegar.  It's inexpensive, safe to store, and highly effective as a household cleanser.

White vinegar's strength comes from its acidity, roughly 8%. It's acidity kills most mold, germs, and bacteria, and can remove minerals deposits from coffee makers and glass surfaces.

Some uses for white distilled vinegar include:

• Cleaning the garbage disposal : 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar + 1/2 cup baking soda. Pour down drain and let sit for 5 minutes. Run hot water to flush it.
• Removing lunch box odors : Soak bread slice in white distilled vinegar. Place it in lunch box overnight.
• Remove dark spots on aluminum pots : Mix 1 cup white distilled vinegar + 1 cup hot water.  Boil in pot.
• Brighten carpets : Mix solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar + 1 gallon water. Test on inconspicuous area first.
• Remove water rings from wood : Mix solution of 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar + 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.

White distilled vinegar is extremely versatile, but it can strip finish from counter-tops and floors if left to soak. Be sure to exercise care, therefore, when using vinegar at home.