I am not a professional wife, cook or housekeeper. Not that I haven’t learned anything along the way, but when we started this website, we wanted to make sure that we weren’t claiming to know everything. Another reason we put together NewlyWife was to create a community to be there for each other. And community, I need your help. I have three problems in my house and I’m in need of solutions … or just some feeling that I’m not alone in these silly struggles.
I give you, Exhibit A: The gunky, funky soap dispensers
I apologize for the photos. They aren’t pretty. Both of these dispensers were purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond and both of them have issues. The one on the right (similar to this one) will get this funky build-up after just a couple uses, no matter how much you wipe them. The one on the left appears to be rusty inside, no matter how much I try to clean it. Both dispensers are so cute that it makes me sad that they work poorly. One problem could be the really cheap soap I put in them. The other dispenser that we got at BBB works well, and I didn’t put the cheap stuff in there.
Does anyone else have this problem? My only solution so far was to buy some JR Watkins hand soap in the lemon scent. Divine.
Exhibit B: The dirty drinking glasses
We have these drinking glasses, also from BBB. We love them, but I’m not so sure our dishwasher does. Our dishwasher was probably the cheapest one the former owners could find, so that should be noted. I flip the cups upside down and put them in the sides of the top rack of the dishwasher. Yet, most of the time, only about half get clean. The others get this funky crusty stuff, no matter what settings or soaps are used. So far, those more expensive little gel/powder combo packs have been the only thing to make a difference in cleaning. Is it because they are square and not round?
Exhibit C: The dreaded vacuum brush
You don’t want to see a photo with this one. Trust me. I don’t even want you to know how much hair I pulled out of the vacuum’s brush the other night. I have to think that other people have this problem. It seems like there are so many vacuums out there to deal with pet hair, but what about long human hair?
Hopefully my household problems haven’t grossed you out of ever coming back to NewlyWife. I’m just at my wit’s end with these things and could use some advice!
I have a couple of solutions for you…… as for the cups, I basically have to hand wash mine (partially) before putting them in the dishwasher. Yeah, it takes a bit of time, but they usually come out clean and pretty! It’s worth a shot in your case
As for the vacuum, I have the same issue. I’m thinking about chopping off all my hair so it won’t shed any longer. Hah, yeah right…. but, I guess that would work? I think?
How To Clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar
Since your dishwasher is doing all your dirty work, it needs to be cleaned. Soap buildup can leave streaks on your glassware and old food will stick to the inner workings of your dishwasher. It’s a good idea to clean your dishwasher every month. Follow these easy steps to find out how to clean your dishwasher with vinegar – nature’s biodegradable and non-toxic cleaner.
You will need
A dishwasher
1 cup white distilled vinegar
Measuring cup
Step 1: Cup-Of-Vinegar
Pour one cup of vinegar into a measuring cup and pour it into the bottom of your dishwasher. Using white distilled vinegar is safe, highly effective and very inexpensive.
Step 2: More Heat, Baby
Set your dishwasher heat on the highest heat level possible and run a full cycle. Any temperature above 140 degrees and above will disinfect everything and leave your dishwasher sparkling clean.
I know this is a long comment but thought it might help. Also since getting a new washer is not always possible I have found that when I use Cascade Rinse Agent it really makes a difference. Also don’t overload.
As far as the soa[ dispensers.. good luck. I finally threw mine out because I couldn’t take the rust stains.
Hope all this helps.
Thanks Terry. The dishwasher was actually brand new when we bought our place, but I will definitely see if cleaning the dishwasher will help. I’m about ready to toss those bottles too. No matter how cute they are.
But Monique, then I can’t be lazy!
I guess I’ll have to try that. Chopping off my hair, however, not so much. haha.
We have the cup issue too. If you are really lazy, you just leave them in the dishwasher for 2 or so cycles, and that gets the gunk out. but it’s kinda a waste of water! haha Also, figure out if you have trouble spots in the dishwasher. Matt pointed out that we have a side sprayer in our dishwasher, so when i was putting the tall plates along the wall, I was blocking the water from everything else. Changing the way we load it has helped a lot!
The hair. I would suggest sweeping first, but that doesn’t really work with carpet. Try sweeping the problem areas (I’m assuming the bathroom) regularly, and then it won’t track into your room. Then use one of the attachments as a first run, one that doesn’t have bristles!
We have ants. And no matter how clean I keep the counters, they come back. And white tile in the kitchen. It looks dirty about 0.2 seconds after it’s mopped. Kinda makes me never want to mop!
Dishwasher-I have a VERY top of the line dishwasher and have the same problems. After much research, discussing, and whining I found out that it’s the water. We have EXTREMELY hard water. I did install a water softener, but still have issues. We have the hardest water, basically well water. The vinegar helps, but you will need to use it all the time to escape the problem. I use Amway dishwashing soap and NEVER allow the rinse stuff to run out. Good luck, your glassware will have “etchings”.
Soap Dispensers-I have the same problem, tried many different soaps and dispensers. Some just do this, and other don’t. I finally went with lovely throw away dispensers.
Vacuum brush-it happens. You just have to clean it out. I now have a Roomba, which I clean after each use. I LOVE it!