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You might think the dirtiest things in your home are the toilet bowl, the dustbin or your toddler’s saliva-soaked toys. But common household appliances, where you store and cook your meals or clean your clothing, can be just as rife with health-threatening bacteria, too. The scariest part? Microorganisms have adapted to survive in harsh conditions like hot water in washing machines or 4°C fridge chillers. But regular wipe-downs and occasional deep cleaning will keep your family, and you, safe.
If you use this every day, its insides are likely full of gravy stains, soup spills and leftover crumbs. Leaving these behind can cause bad smells, breed bacteria and affect the taste of any food that you cook in it.
Make it sparkling clean again: Wipe down your oven daily with warm, soapy water (use dishwashing detergent). To get rid of lingering odours, squeeze the juice of one lemon into a microwaveable bowl of water, leave it in the oven and heat for three minutes. You can also invest in a special cleaning solution.
After roasting or baking, let it cool, then clean up spills and splatters immediately. Food remnants left inside can cause smoke while heating up and result in nasty odours that seep into other dishes.
Make it sparkling clean again: Deep-clean your oven once every three months with a baking soda paste. To make this, mix three parts water with eight parts baking soda.
Your fridge may look clean and nice on the outside, but inside, it could be a different story. With fresh produce and raw meats stored within, it can become a breeding ground for mould, odours and bacteria. Plus, without regular cleaning and reorganisation, you might not realise what’s expired or gone bad.
Make it sparkling clean again: Every three to four months, empty your fridge — choose a day when you’re not restocking groceries — and turn off the power. Remove the contents and wipe down with warm water and a vegetable and fruit liquid wash. For a more thorough clean, remove all drawers and shelves, rinse them with water and pat dry before putting them back in place.
It’s a yucky thought: the same appliance cleaning your laundry could also be home to millions of bacteria. These germs thrive in the constant mix of high temperatures, detergents and water — the last may contain microorganisms from your water pipes. Clothing also traps bacteria from skin and bodily secretions, which then get transferred to the washing machine. And if you don’t scrub off leftover residue from the detergent drawer, it can harbour mould and even more germs.
Make it sparkling clean again: After each cycle, wipe down the insides. Every few months, run a hot water cycle on an empty machine, adding white vinegar, bleach or a specialised cleaning solution.
Try: Dettol 5 in 1 Antibacterial Washing Machine Cleaner – Lavender
Starting in April this year, all HDB households received $300 in Climate Vouchers from the government to purchase energy-efficient household products. These vouchers are part of the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme launched by the National Environment Agency and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, to encourage more efficient energy and water use.
You can use the vouchers to buy washing machines, direct current (DC) fans and more at FairPrice stores. To learn how to claim and use them at FairPrice stores, click here. Or, check out these tips on how to use your vouchers to save both energy and money.
Photos: Shutterstock
