How to Remove Smells from Household Appliances
We love the ease that household appliances bring to our lives, but after so much use, these can start to get funky smells if left unattended. We’re bringing you a few easy tips to keep your appliances smelling fresh.
Getting Rid of Weird Dishwasher Smells
Do you ever experience unpleasant aromas coming from your dishwasher, AFTER it’s done cleaning? This can result in your dishes smelling like wet dog, which no one wants. This can be the result of a few different problems, including a dirty or clogged filter, food residue on the walls of your dishwasher, mold on the gasket seal, or a clogged drain. So how do you get rid of a smelly dishwasher? Here are the steps:
- Remove the dishwasher’s filter under the bottom dish rack (if unsure how, consult your dishwasher manual) and wash off any debris. Clean the filter by soaking it in warm, soapy water and then return to the dishwasher.
- Next, you’ll want to clean the interior of the dishwasher by pouring white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl and placing on the bottom rack. Run a load on the air-dry or energy saving setting. The vinegar will help neutralize any lingering odors.
- Clean the gasket seal by taking a soapy sponge with warm water and wiping away any buildup, followed by drying with a clean towel.
Eliminating Washing Machine Odors
After so many rounds of cleaning laundry, a washing machine can start to develop buildup, especially in front-loading washers if not used with the right detergent and cleaned on a regular basis. This is the result of a small amount of water getting left in the drum, which over time between the alternating of heat and dampness can build up soap scum in the rubber gasket and lead to mildew and bacteria. Here’s how to get rid of the unwanted washing machine smells.
- Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water and add to the washer’s detergent container.
- Then pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum of your washing machine. Run a normal cycle without any clothes and at high heat.
- Most of the residue should be removed after the cycle, but if you notice any spots remaining, use the rough side of a sponge and dip in a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water to scrub away and remove.
Deep Clean the Stovetop to Remove Food Odors
Spilled food from cooking on the stovetop can build up over time, generating an uninviting aroma as a result. From boiling pasta water flowing over the pot, to splattered oil, these small spills can lead over time to buildup if left unattended, resulting in some funky odors. Whether you have a gas or electric stove, there are easy cleaning solutions!
Cleaning a Gas Stove
- For gas stoves, there are several parts that will need to be cleaned. The stove grates and burner caps are a good place to start. These can often get overlooked, but can still get food residue and should be maintained. Clean with soapy water in the sink.
- Next, you’ll want to clean the burner heads. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any crumbs, and then use a paper clip to gently scrape any clogged ignition ports followed by another wiping with a damp cloth to get any last grease residue.
- Last but not least, wipe the stovetop surface with a damp cloth to remove any food bits. Then wash with a soapy sponge to remove grease. For more difficult spots, mix 1 part vinegar, 2 parts baking soda and let sit on the area for about 10 minutes before revisiting with the soapy sponge. Then dry the stovetop with a clean cloth and replace all parts.
Cleaning an Electric Stove
- Heat the coil burners for a few minutes to burn off any food residue, then let cool completely before continuing. Once cooled, gently pull the coils and drip pans out. Wash the drip pans with soapy water, and then soak them in the mixture of 1 part vinegar, 2 parts baking soda for about 10 minutes before rinsing.
- While the drip pans are soaking, gently scrub the coils with either the rough side of a sponge or a toothbrush for anything crusted on. Then wipe the coils with a damp cloth and dry off.
- Under the stovetop might need some TLC too. If you see food residue here, you’ll want to prop up the stovetop and wipe with a damp sponge. For tougher spots, use the same mixture to sit for a few minutes before re-wiping with a wet sponge, and then drying off.
While tackling some of these larger appliances can feel intimidating, with just a few household products that most have lying around, your home will smell fresh in no time! Don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning? Give Home Clean Heroes a call at 844-439-4376.
