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A small amount of diluted bleach is okay to pour down a garbage disposal. As part of your weekly garbage disposal maintenance, use 1 teaspoon of bleach with your concoction of ice cubes and lemon peels. Turn on the disposal and run the water until the blades chop up the ice cubes.

Any more bleach in your disposal can harden oils and greases in your drain, which can cause problems. Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and know that you really don’t need bleach at all—vinegar, baking soda, salt, and ice should do the trick.

Following a few basic tips for maintaining your front-load washer can extend your unit’s lifespan. 

• Clean your machine monthly and always use the correct detergent. (If your machine is High-Efficiency, only use HE detergent.)

• Avoid fabric softener.

• Leave the washer door open after a cycle to avoid moisture buildup.

• Remove all of the wet clothes promptly, and wipe down the machine after each use.

• Conduct an annual inspection yourself or hire someone to check that your machine is in tip-top shape. Proper maintenance means your machine will clean your clothes as best as possible, and you’ll prevent common issues like mold and mildew build-up on the seal or clogged filters from the water inlets.

It’s easy to clean door hinges without removing them, and if you do this regularly, the gunk won’t get a chance to build up and become a bigger issue. We recommend mixing some warm water with detergent and wiping the hinges with a clean towel or rag. You can make a paste from baking soda and water to scrub the hinges if there are more stubborn spots.

Distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar both work well to clean faucet heads; simply soak the end of the fixture in a 50/50 mix with tap water for 30 minutes. Baking soda and dish soap used in conjunction with vinegar can also help the cleaning process. A commercially available calcium, lime, and rust remover is a good solution for stubborn buildup or stains.