Maid In America

It's that time of year when we start closing the windows and cranking up the heat - and suffering the side effects that come along with dry air, leading to breaking out the humidifiers to help our sinuses and dry skin. But did you know... Without regular cleaning, humidifiers will become prime breeding grounds for growing mold and other microbes, which will then stream into the air along with the water vapors. These air pollutants can be especially troublesome for people with asthma, allergies, or other breathing and lung issues. As always, it's important to refer to your manufacturer's instructions for specifics regarding your particular humidifier model. However, these deep cleaning steps will work for most machines, including both cool and warm mist humidifiers. You will need: white distilled vinegar; a soft bristled brush or toothbrush; liquid chlorine bleach; and water. STEP ONE: DISASSEMBLE THE HUMIDIFIER You'll need to take apart the humidifier to make sure each ...

 I recently had a customer ask me what process could be done to deep clean a garbage disposal. I don't personally have a disposal in my home (where I've lived for almost 16 years), and I don't deep clean disposals as part of a regular cleaning. I do add vinegar to everyone's disposal when I clean, and I know that does help cut down on odors, but I decided it was time to take a closer look at what steps could be taken to deep clean a garbage disposal that really needs it. So, Janet, this one's for you! Most disposals I've seen look like the one here on the left. No wonder we're left with stinky kitchens even after a good deep cleaning! Your disposal needs a deep clean every 1-2 months as well, or you'll end up with a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Small pieces of food can get stuck in the splash guard or grinding chamber and eventually decay. Grease and stringy vegetables can leave behind a slimy substance that the disposal can't pulverize, an...