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Whether you’re a renter or a buyer, you should clean a house when moving out. For renters, it’s usually written in the lease that a house must be cleaned before it’s vacated. If you’re unsure how thoroughly to clean the place, check with the landlord beforehand; otherwise, you may not receive your deposit back. When selling a house, a contractual agreement is often made with the realtor that the house is swept and that all personal belongings are removed before the previous owners move out.

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.

As a general rule, you should clean your oven at least every three months, though this depends on how often you use it and the amount of residue buildup. A clear sign that your oven needs cleaning is if you notice smoke or a burning smell during use. Many ovens have a self-cleaning cycle, which heats the oven to an extreme temperature. If you use this feature, stay home while it runs and consider ventilating the room, as it can create smoke. For manual cleaning, you can make a paste of baking soda and water or use white vinegar before resorting to harsher, store-bought oven cleaners.

Yes, a dirty oven can affect its temperature accuracy and distribution. Food debris, spills, and built-up grease on the oven walls and racks can disrupt the heat flow, causing uneven heating and potential temperature fluctuations. This can result in undercooked or overcooked dishes. Over time, a dirty oven can malfunction or even cease working. Pick up any large pieces that may have fallen off a tray (like French fries), prevent anything burning on the element, and run cleaning cycles on a regular basis.