With spring being in full swing, it’s the perfect time to tackle that annual spring clean and those often overlooked corners of your home. A five-star housekeeper at York’s only five-star hotel, has shared one thing you must not skip during your yearly spring clean – de-odourising your dishwasher. This is crucial to prevent unhygienic bacteria buildup and remove hidden food debris.
Lisa Williams, Executive Housekeeper at The Grand, York, said: “To deep clean the dishwasher, make sure you clean the door, rubber seals and removable parts such as the utensil holder and filter, ensuring anywhere that typically harbours hard-to-reach grime has been scrubbed. I like to fill a bowl full of white vinegar, pop it in the bottom of my dishwasher and sprinkle with a teaspoon of baking soda. When run on a hot cycle, the vinegar should break down any lingering grease and the baking soda will help to eliminate any bad smells.”
Turns out the dishwashers also need a deep clean themselves and will become a breeding ground for bacteria, clogged old food and start to smell over time.
But the dishwasher isn’t the only area you should be showing some love this spring. Lisa also shared her five-star hotel-approved tips to help your whole home sparkle.
Wooden spoons and spatulas may be gentle on your pans, but their porous texture makes them the perfect hiding place for bacteria as well.
Williams recommended soaking them in a mix of 100ml bleach and 2L of hot water for up to 30 minutes, followed by a rinse and a spin in the dishwasher.
Another one of her hacks is mixing vinegar, rubbing alcohol, water, and essential oil for a streak-free homemade window cleaner that leaves a fresh scent but without leaving marks on your windows.
One other expert tip is using a microfibre cloth and warm soapy water to lift dust and grime from skirting boards which won’t damage your woodwork.
You can also mix lemon juice with hot water for an all-purpose antibacterial cleaner that tackles ovens, floors and taps.
Williams added: “To make a cleaning mixture from lemons, mix the juice of two lemons per every one litre of hot water. Paired with a good scrubbing tool, this mixture is great for freshening up ovens, microwaves, fridges, floors and even taps, leaving them all shiny and sparkling.”
