Don’t forget to clean the things that do your cleaning for you

WE think nothing of pulling out the vacuum to clear up a spill, or throwing dirty cleaning cloths in the washing machine, but how often do we give our essential household helpers a bit of TLC? Here’s how to keep your cleaning machines in tip-top condition…

WASHING MACHINE

WHEN your machine is not in use, try to leave the detergent tray open slightly so it gets some air and dries out, otherwise it can stay damp and go mouldy.

Once a week, take the tray out entirely, soak it in warm soapy water and wipe dry. While it’s out, clean the space it comes from, making sure it’s dry before replacing the tray.

Rubber seals on washing machines not only pick up dirt from your clothes but can also pick up mineral deposits from hard water and, because they get damp, can easily go mouldy and leave a nasty smell.

Use a toothbrush and a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar and scrub away, then pop your machine on the rinse cycle. Run a quick weekly cycle using white wine vinegar in place of detergent. This helps keep any mould build-up at bay and neutralises any nasty odours.

The filter at the bottom of your machine will need to be emptied regularly too – try to do this at least once a month. If you can access the back of your machine easily, check the water supply pipe for any build-up of dirt.

COOKER HOOD FILTERS AND EXTRACTOR FANS

THESE are invaluable when it comes to whisking cooking smells out of your kitchen or moisture out of the bathroom, but they can get really grubby and they hold on to odours too.

To clean built-in extractor fans, give them a good wipe over with warm soapy water. If your vacuum will reach, clean out the dust, then use a small brush – an old mascara wand or toothbrush will do – to thoroughly clean them. For cooker hood filters, remove regularly and soak in hot water with a few capfuls of white wine vinegar to break down grease.

DISHWASHER

EMPTY the filter – mine is in the base and I can just twist and pull it out, but check the manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Wipe down all your seals and around the door with a solution of 50 per cent white wine vinegar, 20 per cent neat lemon juice and 30 per cent water. I put the solution in a spray bottle, so it can be used for other household cleaning jobs. Lemon juice leaves behind a fresh, clean smell and helps to break down grime.

Place a cup of white wine vinegar mixed with lemon juice in the top of your dishwasher and run it on a hot cycle. This helps get rid of grease and gunk.

Once the cycle has completed, sprinkle the bottom of your dishwasher with bicarbonate of soda, which is excellent at eliminating any nasty smells.

KITCHEN BIN

WIPE the lid and sides weekly. When you change the bag, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda into the bottom to eliminate odours, or used sliced-up lemon.

TUMBLE DRYER

AFTER every use, remove any build-up from the lint filter. This keeps the dryer working efficiently and helps to keep energy bills down.

While the lint tray is out, use your vacuum nozzle to remove any overflowing dust and fluff. If you can access the back of your machine, give this a little bit of attention too.

Unplug the dryer before you clean it and then use a damp cloth and warm soapy water to clean the drum and the seals.

Every so often, take out the filter and soak it in some water and washing-up liquid to give it an extra clean.

DRAINS

YOU can unclog a sink drain using bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar. Sprinkle the bicarbonate of soda down the plughole, then pour down the vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth. The two react with one another to clean the drain naturally. Wait five minutes, then run some hot water to clear it.

VACUUM CLEANER

A GOOD vacuum cleaner will give you years of service if you maintain it properly, so empty out the dust compartment, remove any threads from the roller head and clean the filter fortnightly to keep it in good working order.

The Easy Life: Quick Ways To Clean And Manage Your Home All Year Round, by Lynsey Crombie, will be published by Welbeck Publishing on April 2, price £14.99 (€16.75). @lynsey_queenofclean; queenofclean.blog