Latest news with #DelahGomasi
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to clean a dishwasher, according to a professional cleaner
There's nothing worse than emptying your dishwasher and finding leftover gunk stuck in cups that are supposed to be clean. Often, visible buildup like this is a sign that it's time to clean your dishwasher. Gradually, leftover detergent, food waste, and grease can lead to odours and even bacteria growth. The good news is that with a bit of regular maintenance, your dishwasher will work better, and your dishes will come out cleaner. To help get your dishwasher refreshed and working well, we spoke to Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou. He walks us through how to clean a dishwasher, plus the top seven products you'll need to do it. "For routine cleaning of your entire dishwasher, I recommend doing this at least once a month," Gomasi told Yahoo Canada. "There is, however, one area that requires frequent attention, and that is the filter. This component should be removed and cleaned weekly if you use your dishwasher multiple times every day." Read on to see Gomasi's recommended products and how to get the job done. First up, remove the trays and racks from the dishwasher so you have easy access to the inside. Grab some regular dish soap and a scrub brush, and head to a roomy area. "Most dishwasher trays and racks are too big to clean in a standard kitchen sink, so I usually scrub them down in the bathroom," he said. Now that this is done, you'll have access to other components inside the dishwasher that need cleaning, like the drain filter and spray arms. A classic choice for dish soap, Dawn Ultra dish soap has more than 10,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars. Many customers note the price is a "great value for families." Cleaning the dishwasher is pretty straightforward, and Gomasi's go-to method is super simple. "All you have to do is put a bowl of vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher — with no other dishes — and run an entire cycle. This is a self-cleaning method to tackle grime and scale buildup, as well as to neutralise any lingering odours." Another area to target with vinegar is the drain filter, which Gomasi suggests cleaning — or least inspecting — once a week. "The drain filter requires the most attention because food debris and soap scum leave it clogged and grimy quite often," Gomasi said. "The spray holes also get clogged with particles and need thorough cleaning once a month, at least." To clean the filter, soak it in warm diluted vinegar for about 15 minutes. "This helps to dislodge debris stuck in the mesh and will also address scale buildup caused by hard water," Gomasi explains. He suggests using a soft, fine-bristle brush to poke through the mesh for a more effective and thorough cleaning. "As tempting as it may be to blast out debris, avoid pressure washing the filter because you can easily damage the mesh this way," he said. Canadian Tire shoppers say this 2.5-litre jug of vinegar is perfect for cleaning around house, including coffee makers. "Does the job," one reviewer notes. One area to check out on your dishwasher is the detergent and rinse aid dispenser, which can be a magnet for soap buildup. "I like to take mine out and thoroughly clean it with warm water and a small cleaning brush," he said. Another area of the dishwasher that can be targeted with a small brush are the spray arms. "I prefer to take out all removable components and thoroughly clean them by hand," Gomasi said, including the spray arms. "A lot of grime accumulates under the spray arms, which can't be cleaned properly unless it's removed. For the spray holes, I use a toothpick and a toothbrush to remove gunk and then thoroughly rinse them." With an average rating of 4.6 stars and more than 12,000 reviews, Amazon Canada shoppers say this two pack brush set is "much better" than an old toothbrush. One area of the dishwasher that needs special attention is the rubber seals, because it can trap soap scum and grease over time. "When cleaning the seals, remember that most of the buildup is underneath and not on the visible side of the rubber," he said. "You need to gently pull the seal away from the appliance and clean the underside with either a soft cloth or a small brush. Diluted vinegar is your best option here since it won't leave any soapy residue behind." More than 10,000 Amazon shoppers gave these microfibre cloths from Mr. Siga a 5-star review, noting they are absorbent and "exceptional quality." After cleaning your dishwasher with the self-cleaning vinegar method, Gomasi recommends taking it a step further. "I usually wipe down the interior with a clean sponge after the cycle is complete to make sure there aren't any missed spots, especially around the corners." These dual-sided sponges from Sponge Daddy earned an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon Canada. Reviewers say they "last a long time." If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact and switch from plastic-wrapped dishwasher pods, Gomasi can vouch for Cascade's powdered detergent. "I recently found that their powdered variant is just as good, if not better than the pods," he said. "They're cheaper, contain the same active ingredient, and you get more cleans out of a packet, so they're definitely the more economical choice, too." This residue-free powdered detergent from Cascade is a fan favourite among Amazon shoppers who love the ability to choose how much goes into each wash. One shopper notes it works better than pods. When it comes to the long-term health of your dishwasher, it's wise to use a good-quality dishwasher detergent that doesn't leave excess buildup or residue in the first place. "I use Cascade Platinum pods which work really well to remove pent up grime and grease from cutlery," he said. With 75 pods in a container, Amazon shoppers say these dishwasher pods offer "powerful cleaning" and "dissolve completely."
NBC News
04-02-2025
- Health
- NBC News
How to clean a humidifier and prevent it from growing mold
A good humidifier provides a range of health benefits, such as more moisturized skin, help fighting off allergens and even defense against dry lips and mouth, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you use the appliance often, then knowing how to clean your humidifier and making sure it stays in good shape is especially important for your health. Cleaning the humidifier regularly will ensure that it doesn't grow mold and present health risks in the future. To find the best way to clean a humidifier and some tips for shopping for one, I spoke with cleaning experts for their guidance and product recommendations. Why do humidifiers need to be cleaned? Since the inside of a humidifier contains stagnant water of varying temperatures and little ventilation, it's susceptible to growing residue. 'The biggest issues with humidifiers are the build-up of a slimy film in the reservoir, potential bacteria and mold growth, and mineral build-up,' says Melissa Maker, author and founder of cleaning site Clean My Space. 'All of which can be pumped into the air you breathe.' Additionally, how you clean your humidifier may depend on the type, such as ultrasonic, steam, evaporative or impeller, which we explain more in our roundup of the best humidifiers. Plus, it's important to clean your humidifier so that you can actually benefit from using it, says Delah Gomasi, founder of Maid For You. 'One of the things that hinders its performance is scale (mineral deposit) buildup which clogs pretty much everything from the misting plate and water reservoir to the filter and crevices within the machine,' he says. 'Simply put, when scale buildup prevents misting, there is no humidification taking place.' How to clean a humidifier Unplug the humidifier and let it sit for a few minutes if it's warm to the touch. Pour out any water sitting in the tank and use a paper towel to wipe away any visible 'slime' or residue. Remove all detachable parts, such as the water tank. If you're cleaning an evaporative humidifier, this includes the filter inside. Soak a paper towel in warm soapy water and wring out the excess water. Wipe the inside of the water tank clean. Alternatively, use a sprayable dish soap, such as Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, to lightly coat the inside of the tank. Use a moist paper towel to wipe it clean. Add equal parts white vinegar and water to the tank and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will help get rid of any odors or remaining residue. Pour out the mixture. Rinse the tank, let it dry completely and then add clean water when you're ready to use it again. Tips for cleaning different types of humidifiers Since there are humidifiers that create mists in different ways (such as cool-mist and warm mists) some of them have parts that need to be cleaned that others don't. Plus, some humidifiers require replacement filters. Evaporative humidifiers: These types of humidifiers have an internal filter, such as a wick filter (mesh-like filter that resembles a sponge). If your humidifier's filter is reusable and relatively new, you can clean it by soaking it in vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Then, use a nylon bristle brush to scrub off any residue. Let dry before replacing. If your humidifier has a wick filter, it's best to replace it with a new one, such as the Durabasics Premium Humidifier Filter, and buy multi-packs of them. Ultrasonic/impeller humidifiers: An ultrasonic humidifier, which doesn't have a filter, uses ultrasonic vibrations to release water into the air. Maker recommends focusing on descaling the inside, especially if you use hard unfiltered water with a lot of mineral deposits for your humidifier. The Durgol Universal Multipurpose Descaler can help remove any scaling in your humidifier. Steam vaporizers: This is a type of warm-mist humidifier that uses heat to create steam. Remove the water tank and use warm soapy water and/or a vinegar soak to clean it. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up Frequently Asked Questions How often should you clean a humidifier? 'A humidifier should be cleaned at least once a week if it's used regularly,' says Robin Murphy, president of cleaning company Maid Brigade. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, mold and minerals that can affect both the performance of the humidifier and the air quality in your home.' If you only use a humidifier every once in a while, such as when you're sick, then it's fine to clean it once a month, says Murphy. It's important, however, to empty out the tank after each use and allow the parts to dry before using it again. What happens if you don't clean your humidifier? As Murphy mentioned earlier, not cleaning a humidifier can lead to mold and bacteria growth. This is a byproduct of stagnant water and moisture inside of a container with little to no ventilation. You should really only have water in the humidifier if you're actively using it, otherwise keep it empty when it isn't on. Can you use bleach to clean a humidifier? While bleach does a good job of getting rid of bacteria and mold, Murphy doesn't recommend using bleach or bleach-based cleaning products to clean a humidifier, unless it's done with caution. This is because the residual smell can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, especially since the machine is releasing moisture into the air. If you do use bleach, use a small splash of it diluted with water and use the same method with white vinegar, rinsing thoroughly after. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I regularly cover cleaning topics and appliances. I've written about the best dishwasher detergents, steam mops, and carpet cleaners. I've also written guides on how to clean grout, garbage disposals and coffee makers. I spoke with two cleaning experts for their guidance to write this story.
