turn the power off at the
Washers, dryers and drains
are in constant use, so
regular cleaning is essential
to prevent grime build-up
Bedding
Strip your bed and wash the
lot. "Most pillows and duvets
can be placed in the washing
machine, but ensure you read the
care instructions first," says Adriana
Aziz of Maid For You. If your machine
isn't big enough for the job, head to
a self-service laundry. "Wash duvets
and pillows on the longest cycle with
cold water and a gentle detergent.
Follow with an extra spin cycle or two
before hanging out to dry," says
Adriana. For memory foam pillows
and bed toppers, which can't be
machine washed, Adriana suggests
Dryer
washer
a spot clean with a damp cloth,
followed by a vacuum with an
upholstery attachment.
prains
2 Soft furnishings
Take rugs and runners outside for
a shake, address any stains with a spot
cleaner and leave to air in the sun for
the day. For professional results, hire
a Rug Doctor carpet cleaner to give
carpets and upholstered furniture a
deep, revitalising steam clean.
45
Dryer and washing
machine
3
Give laundry workhorses some TLC.
"Empty the lint filter to improve the
dryer's efficiency and use a mild
dish soap and microfibre cloth to
clean the inside of the drum," says
Drains
Kitchen, bathroom and
laundry drains are often
forgotten until there's an issue,
Aircon filters are designed
to catch dust and need to
be kept clean to maintain
good air quality
but an annual or biannual
Adriana. To combat mould and
flush out is a good habit to get into.
Try a drain-unblocking liquid or pellets
to remove odours and improve flow, or
use an unblocking tool to blast away
build-up. "A cup of vinegar tipped
down the sink regularly will also help
eliminate any odours and break down
deposits," says Richard Champion of
Totally HouseProud.
bacteria build-up in the washing
machine seal, Adriana suggests
wiping the drum with white vinegar
before running a drum clean or hot
water cycle with a bit of detergent.
Aircon units
Before cleaning air
conditioners, refer to the
instruction manual and
"Decluttering is a great way
to clean bedrooms. It's an
wall. Adriana suggests wiping the
outside of the interior unit with a
amazing feeling to get rid
of stuff you no longer use"
cloth, then cleaning the filter with
a vacuum or soft brush. If louvres
can be removed, vacuum or wipe
them. Brush dust and debris from
Adriana Aziz, Maid For You
around the exterior unit.
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