10 Bad Housekeeping Habits You Should Drop Today

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Not Cleaning Your Washing Machine

Isn’t the point of a washing machine is that it cleans dirty things? So why would you have to clean it? The reality is, your cleaning tools need just as much TLC as the rest of your home. Good housekeeping means paying attention to the things that make your life easier, which is why you have to clean your washing machine.

If your clothes have started smelling of mildew after being washed, it’s time to run a cycle on the hottest water setting with nothing inside, and using vinegar for an extra boost for a squeaky clean washing machine. Cleaning a front loading washer is a little different, but follows the same basic process.

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Not Washing Your Cutting Board

Whether you’re slicing veggies, fruit or meat on your cutting board, it’s a no brainer that you need to wash it. For a wooden cutting board, use hot water with a sponge and mild dish soap to kill bacteria. You can also use common household ingredients to do the job. Wipe down the cutting board with vinegar and then use baking soda and a lemon to get rid of stains and odors. Don’t use bleach on wooden cutting boards as it can dry out the wood and leave it discolored.

It’s also good to have a separate, plastic cutting board on hand to use for raw meat to help prevent cross contamination. To clean a plastic cutting board, you can use diluted bleach or just stick them in the dishwasher.