Necessary Evil: Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen

From the fixtures in your kitchen design to the vacuum stored in your closet, every appliance in your home could use a little TLC. Make sure your household appliances are working at 100 percent capacity with these spring cleaning tips:

You can't really spring clean your house if your vacuum is only working at half speed. To ensure you're not just moving dust, dirt and allergens around, it's important to clean your vacuum after every use, celebrity lifestyle expert Frank Fontana explained to Good Housekeeping magazine. If you feel like the suction power of your machine has dwindled, it may be time to inspect the rotating brush and clean out any hair that's gotten stuck. 

Is there anything worse than laundry day? Yes, actually: A washing machine that isn't properly cleaning and disinfecting your clothes can make this household chore even more annoying. To prevent bacteria and mold from growing in your machine, Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain & Simple, advises leaving the door open after every wash. To fully disinfect your washing machine, combine a mixture of vinegar and baking soda then run your washer on the hottest setting to kill germs and eliminate odor. 

Do you have a funky smell in the kitchen? It may be time to unload the dishwasher and give it a good wash. Food particles, film and grease can stick to the bottom and side of the machine, causing bacteria, fungi and mold to grow in your dishwasher. Wipe down the inside to pick up any loose debris, then pour white vinegar into a cup and place it on the top rack while running a full cycle on the hottest setting, recommends Sherrie Le Masurier, author of House Cleaning Tips: How to Clean and Declutter Your Home Fast.