Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Education
- BS, Geology, University of Colorado
Certifications & Organizations
- ISSA Professional House Cleaning (PHC) Certified
- Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Certified
Favorite Piece of Advice
wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Forum Comments (1)
If it's too late for that, you can use vinegar: pour a good amount of vinegar down in there and run a cycle to hit the mildew. Then open it up, wipe out the lid area that you can access with a microfiber cloth or rag, and then leave the door open to let it air out.
Q&A Comments (49)
Co-authored Articles (38)
How to
Use Dishwasher Salt
'''Dishwasher salt can be added relatively easy to most dishwashers in order to ensure that your dishes come out clean and sparkling!''' This type of salt is specially formulated to soften hard water, which can cause dis...
How to Clean a Mattress in 7 Easy Steps (And Tackle Deep Stains)
Plus, how to flip & protect your mattress to extend its life You spend about a third of your life on your mattress, so this is one household item you should take careful steps to keep clean. Regular mattress cleaning can...
The 7 Best Ways to Get Blood Stains Out of a Mattress
Tackle fresh or dried up blood stains with simple household cleanersWhether you had a nosebleed or got your period in the middle of the night, waking up to blood on your mattress can be pretty stressful! Fortunately, the...
How to Get Smells Out of Plastic Tupperware
Remove stubborn food odors with these simple solutionsPlastic containers are incredibly convenient for storing food, but they can also harbor the scent of whatever was in the container last. Whether it be the plastic-y s...
How to Load a Dishwasher Correctly
Fill & run your dishwasher efficiently for sparkling clean dishesDid you know there’s an art to loading your dishwasher? This helpful guide will explain how to load a dishwasher, starting with the top rack and then mo...
How to
Clean an Oven with Baking Soda
There are a variety of methods to clean an oven, but many of those methods involve the use of chemicals. Using baking soda is a great, natural alternative to harsh chemicals. To clean your oven, coat the oven with a baki...
How to Clean Poop Off a Memory Foam Mattress
If you're a caretaker, parent, or pet owner, you've probably run into the occasional mess on a memory foam mattress. If you're concerned that it has to be thrown out, don't worry—all you need to fix it are some comm...
The 5 Best Ways to Clean Your Cast Iron Stove Grates
Get rid of baked-on food and grease with these expert cleaning tips Do you want to get rid of those pesky grease and food stains stuck on your cast iron stove grates? Whether you’re wiping up after cooking a meal or d...
Why Does My Shower Drain Smell? How to Get Rid of the Odor
Get rid of shower drain odors with this simple guide There’s nothing worse than getting ready for a nice, refreshing shower only to find that the drain smells bad. There are a number of reasons a shower drain may have ...
How to
Ionize Water
Ionizing water is a way to increase its pH level, making it more alkaline and less acidic. Acidic water can be raised to a neutral pH level with this process, and neutral water can be made more alkaline. There are debate...
How to
Clean Carpet Without a Carpet Cleaner
Carpet is warm, cozy, and pretty low-maintenance compared to some other types of flooring. But over time, it will still start to show signs of wear, especially in high-traffic areas. That doesn't mean you have to shell o...
How to
Get Red Stains Out of Carpet
Easy ways to get wine, Kool Aid, & other red stains out of carpetThere’s nothing worse than spilling a glass of wine or Kool Aid on your beautiful, spot-free carpet. Red stains in particular can be tough to get out, es...
How to
Clean a Dishwasher Drain
Dishwasher drains can become clogged as a result of food debris, or built-up grease and grime. If your dishwasher stops draining completely after it has been used, this likely means that the drain or drain filter is clog...
Easy Ways to Clean a Top Loading Washing Machine
Get rid of odors, gunk, and germs with these simple methodsIf you’ve noticed that your top loading washing machine smells a little strange, or if it hasn’t been getting your clothes as clean as usual, it may be time ...
How to
Clean Walls with Vinegar
Household cleaners can be both expensive and toxic, causing many people to search for alternative approaches. Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner and can also be used to effectively clean walls. You can create a simpl...
How to Clean the Drain in a Bathroom Sink
Maintenance tips to keep your bathroom sink drain in good conditionBathroom sinks can begin to smell unpleasant when toothpaste, hair, and other items collect in the drain. Aside from this debris, mold and mildew can als...
The Complete Guide to Removing Hair in Your Bathroom
Foolproof hair removal tips for every surfaceHair can stick to any surface, but it’s especially likely to happen in your bathroom, where you do most of your grooming. Loose strands can appear on the floor, countertops,...
How to
Clean Soot from Brick
A fireplace can be a cozy addition to any home, but one of the inevitable byproducts is soot on the surrounding bricks. Soot can leave lasting stains on the material it comes in contact with, so it’s important to clean...
Can You Pour Bleach Into a Toilet Tank? Best Practices for Cleaning Your Toilet Tank Safely and Effectively
When it comes to cleaning toilets, cleaning the toilet tank often gets overlooked. However, keeping the tank clean actually helps keep the bowl cleaner and helps prevent bad smells and stains. You might be wondering if y...
The Best Ways to Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drain
Sanitize and deodorize your drain with these simple tips and products Have you noticed your kitchen sink drains more slowly or has an unpleasant odor? When food debris, grime, and dirt cause clogs or bad smells, it’s...
