May 2021

You were probably happy to learn that your apartment or townhome at VIDA came with a full-size dishwasher. Did you know there are a lot of things you can use your dishwasher to clean other than dishes? It does a great job of sanitizing things (that are dishwasher safe). So consider using it to more effectively clean these household items.

• Kitchen sponges and scrubbers. When a sponge is in good shape but stained or smelling funky, wash it in the silverware holder.
• Microwave turntable. Any time you’re about to run a load and have some extra space, pop in the turntable from your microwave. While things are washing, use it as a chance to wipe down the inside of your microwave.
• Soap dishes and toothbrush holders. They can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Shower puffs. Not to make you cringe, but they hold dead skin cells. Wash them in the silverware holder.
• Hair brushes and combs. You can also put these in the silverware holder. Just make sure to clean off any excess hair first.
• Pet dishes. You wash your dishes, why not theirs?
• Pet toys. Hard plastic or rubber toys will be disinfected and looking like new.
• Crocs. If you have a pair, you can clean and deodorize them in the dishwasher. This is one case where you shouldn’t wash them along with the rest of your dishes.
• Removable car cup holders. If you’ve never washed yours, they definitely need it.
• Legos. If you have kids, you have Legos. And it’s a little scary to think about how they never get sanitized. Just pop them in a laundry bag (think zipping kind you use for delicates) and wash them in the top rack.