When you deep clean your washing machine, using hot water is the best practice since it’s more effective than cold water at killing various types of bacteria and viruses. Plus, hot water tends to break down soap residue more efficiently.

Without regular proactive maintenance, your home and the things in it will wear out, break, or otherwise deteriorate much faster than they would with routine maintenance. Regular home maintenance also helps to prevent major problems down the road. For example, regular gutter cleaning will help avoid roof and foundation problems caused by pooling water and improper drainage. 

Putting off cleaning your fridge is a bad idea for a few reasons. For one, any food spills can build up, making it much harder to clean your fridge when you finally do get around to it. Plus, any stray pickle juice or leaky leftovers are a recipe for a stinky fridge. 

But beyond that, if you don’t clean your fridge, it could be a health hazard. Old food can turn moldy and old spills can too. Even if none of that scares you, putting off cleaning your fridge will make it look downright gross, which should be reason enough to break out your sponge. 

The best way to help a family member or friend declutter their home is to hire a professional organizer or cleaner to do it for them. However, you can also help them make a plan to tackle the clutter. Sit down with them and sort through the items, making piles of what to keep, toss, and donate. Focus on one area at a time to avoid overwhelming them. If they have trouble letting go of some items, ask them when they last used each item, what its purpose is, and whether it has sentimental value. The answers to these questions can help you advise them on handling clutter.