The answer to whether it’s safe to use a moldy dishwasher is: It depends. Mold exposure affects people differently. It’s possible that even a small amount of mold in your dishwasher could contribute to respiratory issues and other health problems, especially if you have an underlying health condition. Mold is capable of surviving the high heat and detergent used in a dishwasher cycle, so it’s important to ensure that you act quickly at the first sign of mold, or contact a house cleaner near you to stay on top of any potential mold problems.

Depending on the frequency of use, you should clean your jetted tub at least once a month. Cleaning the tub’s surface can be done however often you clean your bathroom, generally once a week, but the deep cleaning of the jets can be performed less frequently. Of course, if you notice anything coming out of the jets at any point while using the tub, that’s a good indication that it’s time to clean the jets.

Bleach isn’t the best choice to use while cleaning a refrigerator. Food absorbs odors, and bleach is known for its lingering smell, which can then lead to your fresh foods tasting off. Most people don’t safely dilute bleach, either. If you’re concerned about bacteria or mold from contaminated food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water for sanitizing. Be sure to let the fridge air out for an hour or more afterward to let the fumes dissipate.

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.