\nIsn\u2019t the point of a washing machine is that it cleans dirty things? So why would you have to clean it? The reality is, your cleaning tools need just as much TLC as the rest of your home. Good housekeeping means paying attention to the things that make your life easier, which is why your washing machine, for instance, deserves to be cleaned. If your clothes have started smelling of mildew after being washed, it\u2019s time to run a cycle on the hottest water setting with nothing inside, and using vinegar for an extra boost for a squeaky clean washing machine.\n
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Whether you\u2019re slicing veggies, fruit or meat on your cutting board, it\u2019s a no brainer that you need to wash it. But contrary to what you might think, scrubbing it down with soapy water isn\u2019t the answer. Soak your board in bleach after each use (or at least those boards used for things like raw meat which contains harmful bacteria), to properly sterilize it and avoid bacteria transfer.\n
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Put down the duster, or anything that resembles it, especially a dry rag. While dusting your fan may leave it looking pearly white, that dust doesn\u2019t just disappear into thin air! All that sneezing you do when dusting is the result of the tiny particles flying elsewhere, like your table, rug, etc. You may think you\u2019ll clean up all the dust when you vacuum, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies it settles in that you\u2019ll forget about. Your best bet is to wet a rag, which will pick up dust more effectively.\n
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Sure, you know about washing your pillowcases weekly, but what about your actual pillows? Most pillows have a tag giving laundering instructions, yet very few people follow through with doing so. Your pillow is subject to dust mites, body oils, and bacteria from your saliva, which is why you should stick it in the washing machine every three to six months\n
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It doesn\u2019t take much to dirty up a stainless steel appliance. One touch and your refrigerator is totally smudged. When cleaning, be sure you\u2019re not wiping in circular motions, because you\u2019ll see the marks when the cleaner dries. Instead, find the grain in the stainless steel and follow that. You\u2019ll notice a big difference.\n
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You know to do the big stuff: vacuuming, mopping, wiping away dust. But there are some items in your house that you may have never cleaned, yet harbor a major amount of bacteria. Light switches and remote controls are two highly overlooked housekeeping areas. Cold viruses lurk on such places, from sneezing or coughing into your hand and then immediately flipping on the TV or light. A simple spritz of disinfectant is a good place to start, and a bleach wipe can get into the tough to reach spots where the unhealthy gunk hangs out.\n
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You can\u2019t control the sun, but you can avoid it, which is something you should do when washing your windows. This is because glass cleaner dries quickly in direct sunlight, leaving behind unsightly streaks that are counterintuitive to your washing job. Opt for overcast skies and the temp below 70 degrees.\n
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Less is usually more when it comes to good housekeeping, and that\u2019s certainly true for cleaning and taking care of your wooden floors. Whether you\u2019re mopping or using a standard rag and bucket, be sure that you don\u2019t have too heavy of a hand with the water. If there are scratches or gouges in the finish, the excess water can make its way beneath the surface and damage the wood\n
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Even if you are good at keeping the dust at bay throughout your house, your housekeeping is lacking if you\u2019re not cleaning your air ducts out. Over time, they collect dust, leading to allergy symptoms and even increasing the chance of fires when you turn the heat on. Be sure to clean them once a year at least.\n
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While light bulbs used to burn out and need replacing frequently, today the long-lasting LED bulbs make it possible for you to forget about them for a while. But you shouldn\u2019t. The longer they\u2019re installed, the more dust they build up, which can become a fire hazard.\n
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By Alexa Erickson – familyhandyman\n
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