Is it Time to Clean Your Coffee Maker?

The coffee maker is our best friend in the morning. We use it pretty much every single day. But when is the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? How often do you clean your coffee maker?

You should know that every time you brew coffee, the residue from the beans, lime deposits and hard water tends to build up inside the machine. The machine needs to be washed or cleaned on a regular basis to get rid of the deposits and keep your Java fresh and tasty.

When to Clean Your Coffee Maker?

After few months of consistent use, your coffee maker starts to look pretty grubby on the inside, and that’s a clear sign that it needs to be cleaned.

Generally speaking, you should clean your coffee maker at least once a month to ensure that it stays in perfect working condition.

How to Clean Your Coffee Maker:

  • Get a clean filter and put it in the filter basket.
  • Fill the reservoir with an equal amount of plain white vinegar and water.
  • Switch on the coffee maker and let it run the same way as it does when brewing coffee.
  • After the initial cycle is complete, dispose the vinegar and repeat the process twice with clean water. Remember to do this twice so your coffee doesn’t taste like vinegar.
  • After cleaning the internal parts of the machine, you can place the filter basket and the pot into the dishwasher.

As you can see, cleaning your coffee maker is as simple as brewing your early morning coffee. Be sure to clean your coffee maker on a regular basis if you use it more than average, so you can enjoy your Java and stay healthy.

Tips for Using Your Coffee Maker:

Tip #1 – Be sure to clean your coffee maker at least once a month irrespective of how often you make use of it. Doing this will help prevent the buildup of molds and coffee oil residue.

Tip #2 – Use a better and healthier cleaning agent like baking soda for getting rid of coffee maker stains. Baking soda possesses natural cleaning properties that can strip away stains, dirt and grime from your coffee maker.

Tip #3 – As mentioned earlier, you can also use vinegar to get rid of molds and hard mineral buildup. Mineral buildup tends to harden up and get accumulated in some parts of your coffee brewer. To remove these accumulations, simply run the vinegar through coffee maker, this should clean the inner part of your machine and get rid of invisible minerals.

Tip #4 – Now, if you’re not comfortable with the smell of vinegar or you tend to have a hard time getting rid of the smell after using it, try substituting it with lemon juice. Lemon juice has similar acidic properties as vinegar, so it can still get the job done.

Tip #5 – Be sure to dry your coffee maker after using it. Doing this should help prevent the formation of molds. Just make sure everything looks clean and dry all the time.

Just like any other household gadget or machine, your coffee maker needs some tender loving care to keep it in good shape. Just be sure to clean your coffee maker on a regular basis and remember to go for natural cleaning agents at all times.

How and When to Clean Your Washing Machine

Regular cleaning of the washing machine helps in keeping its good look and performing at its best. That way your clothes will also look great. Cleaning the washing machine is a very simple and easy task to do if you know how to do it properly. Good news is that when you buy the washing machine it also comes with a simple guide of how and when to clean it in order for it to function properly. The following are some advice about how you can clean your washing machine and how often you should do it.

Tips to Clean Your Washing Machine:

Clean the Washing Machine Door

If you want to remove dirt or soapy film that have build up on the lid of the washing machine you can use a natural mix of vinegar and baking soda. Just rub the dirt and film and they will immediately go down. This is a very easy and efficient way of cleaning which you can do often depending on how much dirt has built up on the corners of the lid.

Clean the Washing Machine Tub

Next way of cleaning the washing machine is using four cups of distilled vinegar and hot water. Fill the washer with hot water for the largest washing size and check out whether the pipes are properly connected. If you add a few cups of distilled vinegar or lemon juice you can also clean the machine properly. Let the washing machine run through the entire cycle in the same way like you are washing a full load of clothes.

Clean the Soap Dispenser and Rims

You should also clean the washing machine if you notice a strong, bad smell. If that is the case, then you first must take out the container of the textile softener and soak it in a hot water with added detergent. In order to clean the bleach dispenser, you can use soft paper towels, q-tips, toothbrush, or spray cleaners. Many people often forget the top rim of the wash bucket, but it should also be cleaned with a mild soap and water as soon as you see it got dirty.

Dry the Inside of the Washing Machine

There is another great way of keeping the washing machine clean, although many people often neglect it. In order to keep it clean and in good condition, clean the washing machine right after each use. This is very simple, all you need to do is use a dry cloth to wipe the inside of the tub, door, and liner. This will prevent mold and mildew growth by keeping the washing machine dry. Another way to prevent mold and mildew growth is to leave the washer door open after you are done using it so it can dry out.

Replace the Water Hose

Many of the reputable washing machine manufacturers are suggesting you replace the water hoses once every five years. This is if they are used normally, but if you see that any one of them is leaking then you should replace them immediately. Replacing hoses every five years is a good cleaning and maintenance practice, and do not forget to inspect them for any kind of weakness or a leak on a regular basis. If you notice any damage or if hoses are clogged, then stop using the machine until you clean or repair the hose. That way you will not only save money, but you will also extend the life of your washing machine.

How to Remove Easter Egg Dye from Carpet and Upholstery

Dying Easter eggs is a favorite holiday activity for many kids and their parents too. This is a simple process that doesn’t require much time but creates lifelong memories of family fun while making beautiful Easter eggs together. In order to dye Easter eggs, people can use commercial or homemade dyes. But, regardless of the dye that is used, accidents can happen and as a result of that, the upholstery and carpet get stained. Dying eggs is a fun time but not so fun when the dye gets on carpet or upholstery. Don’t panic if an accident occurs because we have a quick and easy guide to remove Easter egg dye from carpet and upholstery.

There are a few ways to achieve this goal, but the simplest one involves some ordinary items that you can find in your home like dish soap for example. Before we go into details, it is important to mention that it is crucial to act as fast as possible because the longer these stains stay the harder it will be to remove them.

How to Remove Easter Egg Dye

Step 1 – As we said before, you’ll need some water and dish soap. Take half a teaspoon of dish soap liquid and mix it with half a cup of warm water. Stay away from automatic dishwasher liquid. Avoid laundry detergent too because they can be too harsh for the upholstery or the carpet.

Step 2 – Next, rub this solution slowly on the affected area. Use a clean white cloth for this activity. You will probably want to scrub the area but don’t this because you risk damage. Do it slowly and gently.

Step 3 – You should keep blotting up the affected area until you notice that there is no longer any stain being transferred to the white cloth. The main point is to absorb as much liquid as you can. After that, repeat the procedure for optimal effects. Keep in mind that in many situations, it takes at least two times to notice the first results.

Step 4 – In case this doesn’t work, you can always try ammonia. The mixture requires one tablespoon of ammonia and one cup of water. Try the effects in a less visible spot on your carpet or upholstery. Don’t forget that ammonia has the ability to change the unique colors of fabrics and that’s why it is important to test the solution on a small area first.

Step 5 – If everything goes well with ammonia and there is no damage, take a sponge, soak it in the solution and start rubbing the problematic area. In the end, rinse every trace of ammonia from the area.

Step 6 – In case the Easter egg dye stain is still there, you can also buy a commercial cleaner for upholstery and/or carpets.

Step 7 – No matter which option you choose, remember to rinse the affected area with cold water. Let the surface dry before you decide whether the stain is removed or not. In case it’s still there, repeat the procedure.

As you can see removing Easter egg dye stains is not a difficult process, but be prepared to spend some of your time on this procedure.

House Cleaning Tips – Turn a Boring Task into Fun!

You do not want to live in a shabby house, but you do not want to exert too much on cleaning the dirt either. However, if you plan the house cleaning, then it can become a bit easier and effective too. Below are best tips to help you clean your house with ease and you might enjoy this dreadful but necessary work.

Tip #1 Develop a Plan

The first and foremost thing is to develop a well chalked out plan. You can write down everything including the places and things that need to be cleaned, the time involved in that, and how you will approach. Take the tour of the house for getting a better perspective of the whole house and create a checklist of the areas that need to be cleaned. Well, doing the cleaning on paper first will surely help you to optimize the whole cleaning process. And, planning will also give you a sense of purpose.

Tip #2 Create a Checklist

Create a cleaning checklist. You need to check the inventory. You would not like to waste your time shopping for the cleansing agent only because it exhausted in the middle of the cleaning. Additionally, you can purchase the required items while coming from the office or work if you know the requirements beforehand.

Tip #3 Do it in Steps

It helps to fragment the entire cleaning in small executable parts. For example, you can clean the bedroom on Monday, kitchen on Tuesday and so on. Also, you must ensure that once you start a particular part, you finish it that day only. Achieving the task will keep you motivated for the next step.

Tip #4 Enjoy Cleaning

You will never have good results if you start with a negative mindset. Well, cleaning is, of course, not the best of jobs but you must try to enjoy it. Try to wear loose and comfortable clothes, play some foot-tapping music, and assign yourself rewards on completion of every task. The reward will keep you hooked and motivated.

Tip #5 Vacuuming & Scrubbing

It is advisable to vacuum first to get rid of all dust, hair strands, and other annoying stuff. This will make your scrubbing process easier. When vacuuming, make sure you cover every inch of the floor.

These simple tips will help you to clean faster and efficiently. You can now have that sparkling clean home you had always wanted. Even if you are someone who always gets help from a cleaning service company, these tricks will save you some time. Remember to take house cleaning as a challenge, and the prize for winning is a nice looking and organized house.