By Kate Harvey
Content Manager | Pou Whakahaere Ihirangi
It’s that time of the year when it suddenly feels like the house needs a good declutter and disinfect. Ticking off all those jobs could be easier than you’re imagining though.
Here are some we find easy to knock over.
1. How to clean your dishwasher
Our dishwasher cleaning guide offers tips for getting your dishwasher running smoothly again if you’re finding you have to run it twice to get the dishes clean. Try poking the holes of the spray arms with a toothpick to remove any stuck food and giving the filter a rinse under the tap. Our dishwasher expert Erin Bennett shows how to polish it off in a couple of minutes in our dishwasher maintenance video:
Time to bite the bullet and buy a new dishwasher? See the 11 dishwashers we recommend.
2. How to clean your kettle
If you’ve noticed limescale inside your kettle, it’s easy to get rid of. And doing so will make it boil faster and quieter. Just add some white vinegar to the water, and you can let the jug do the hard work itself by boiling it – no scrubbing required. See the steps to take.
Those tips should get it working well again, but if you need a new kettle we’ve found 10 jugs and kettles we love.
3. How to clean rangehood filters
If you’ve left it awhile, this job can be a bit grimy. We don’t waste time scrubbing the filters though – into the dishwasher they go. But you might want to check if your user manual cautions against it. Then you just need to give the body of the hood a wipe down.
There are 2 rangehood brands we have given our People’s Choice award to and 13 rangehood models we recommend.
4. How to clean your dryer
If your dryer has had a workout over winter, it’s probably in need of some attention. Of course, a clean-out of the lint filter will get it working its best. If you’ve got a condenser dryer, you’ll also need to check the heat exchanger for any fluff. If you’ve got a sensor model, you can use a dash of vinegar to clean the little metal strips that detect how wet your washing is. It’s one of the tips in our guide to getting the most out of your clothes dryer.
If it’s time for a new dryer, we recommend some that cost under $1,000. Check them out in our clothes dryer test results.
5. How to clean the barbecue
If you haven’t touched the barbie since last summer, it’s time to get it ready for the months ahead. This can seem a daunting task when you remove the grill plate and see the muck underneath. But a good scraper and brush is all you need. See how to tick off this job on our barbie-cleaning video.
We can also help you find a new barbie if you’re ready to upgrade this summer. See the 16 barbecues we recommend.
