3. Dishwasher
Your dishwasher is a godsend, expertly blasting grime and food particles off your dishes on a daily basis. But this kitchen workhorse needs a little love on occasion, too.
Be sure to wipe down the inside of your dishwasher periodically, paying special attention to the black rubber gasket that helps seal the unit when you shut the door. (This spot is particularly susceptible to mold, Smith says.) Also be sure to remove and thoroughly rinse your dishwasher filter, which is typically located on the dishwasher floor, beneath the bottom dish rack.
loaded dishwasher
Getty Images.
4. Garbage Disposal Splash Guard
If you’ve ever smelled a funky odor coming from your garbage disposal, you know how dirty these things can get down there. And while cleaning the actual disposal regularly is important, don’t forget to sanitize your garbage disposal splash guard, too.
What is it? It’s the black rubber cover that sits at the top of the drain and prevents food from splashing out when you turn on the disposal. The underside of this splash guard can get super nasty, so remember to pop it out, throw it in the dishwasher, or scrub it vigorously with hot soapy water or cleaning solution. Voila! Fresh and clean.
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5. Trash Cans
Even if you’re religious about replacing the trash bag, there are still going to be spills, stains, and odors that build up in your kitchen trash can. Every few weeks, be sure to do a hard reset on your kitchen trash can by cleaning out the inside with all-purpose cleaner or dish soap, suggests Kathy Turley, a spokeswoman for Home Clean Heroes. If your can is extra stinky, toss in some baking soda for good measure, let it sit for five or 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse outdoors.
“You can put a few dryer sheets or even crumpled up newspaper at the bottom of the can before you put the new bag in it to help keep stinky odors at bay,” she says.
