The Lowdown on Cleaning your Filters
Well if that headline didn’t grab your attention then we don’t know what will! Yet as much as we all don’t get very excited about the prospect of cleaning your dishwasher filter, it is a fact of life we must all face. Yes it’s gross. Yes, it can cause us to gag. But unless you want dirty, smudgy dishes, then cleaning your dishwasher filter is important. So let’s start there.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
Your dishwasher filter can be a resting place for lots of stuff. Old bits of food, grime and dirt. It is generally not a nice place. So to keep your dishwasher filter in tip-top shape, we recommend a clean at least once per month.
- Start with an empty dishwasher.
- Remove the bottom rack – there you will find your filter in all its glory – just stuck in the floor of the dishwasher.
- Using a damp cloth, clean around the filter and discard any large bits of food and grime you find.
- Unscrew the filter and lift out.
- Clean the filter of all food scraps inside.
- Sanitise the filter with a mix of 1/2 cup baking soda/ 1/2 cup salt and 1 cup of bleach to really clean it out. Pour the mixture into where the filter sat and leave overnight or for a good few hours.
- Run an empty cycle and ta dahhh! Clean dishwasher.
How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Filter
Again, it is important to clean your air conditioning filters to ensure both the efficiency of your air conditioner as well as ensuring the health of the air you breathe. If your air conditioner has a dirty filter, it will not filter the air as efficiently and the result will be lower air quality. Therefore, we advise you clean your air conditioner filter at least once a month (time it with your dishwasher!) but twice a month is optimal, especially if used frequently.
- Turn of all power to your air conditioner.
- Remove the filter. When doing so, look for any signs of wear and tear that may require more than a clean but a replacement.
- get rid of excess dirt and grime by vacuuming the filter.
- Sanitise the filter with a solution of half water and vinegar and submerge the filter completely. You may need a laundry basin or bathtub to do so.
- Soak in the solution for a few hours.
- Drain the filter and dry completely before fitting back on the unit.
- Fit the filters back on to the unit.
Take these steps to clean both your dishwasher and air conditioner filters on a regular basis, and not only will your home be healthier, there’ll be less maintenance issues for you!
