Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 8-20-21

Health
Front-Loading Washing Machine
Stale Sheets
You shed dead skin cells every night while you’re asleep. Both odor-causing bacteria and dust mites love dead skin cells. That's why you should wash your sheets at least every 2 weeks. Try to do it more often when the weather’s hot or if you sweat at night.
Dirty Carpet
It can catch dust, dirt, and pet dander or pee. Carpeting can also trap mold spores, leaving your home with a musty smell. To ward off odors, vacuum at least 3 times a week with a machine that has a HEPA (high-efficiency par- ticulate air) filter. Deep clean your carpets once a year using dry steam cleaning.
Funky Fridge
Spoilage bacteria is a type of bacteria that makes food taste and smell bad. It can grow in low temperatures. Wipe up spills right away using hot, soapy water to keep your fridge fresh. Avoid cleaning products -- they may make your food taste like chemi- cals. Go through the fridge once a week and toss anything that’s expired. An open box of baking soda can also help with odors.
Wet Towels
If you don't wash them often enough, they'll start to breed bac- teria and smell like dirty gym socks. One study found that a type of bacteria called Moraxella osloensis is the main cause of stinky laundry. Wash your towel at least once a week -- more if you live somewhere hot and humid. Spread it out on a towel rack to dry instead of hanging from a hook.
New Furniture
The sofa or cabinets you just bought might be releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs are gases -- like formaldehyde and toluene -- that can irritate your nose and throat. They can also cause headaches and dizziness. Some VOCs have been linked to cancer. Open windows to get air flowing if you can. And look for low-VOC products to limit your exposure.
Garbage Disposal
Odor-causing bacteria can live in your kitchen sink and drain. More can grow from garbage disposal scraps. Do this once a week to clean: Put 6 ice cubes, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 3 thin lemon slices, and 1 teaspoon of bleach into the dis- posal. Add 6 more ice cubes and turn it on. When the grinding stops, run cold water for 30 sec- onds. The ice helps knock food particles loose. Bleach kills bac- teria, and lemon slices help with odor.
Musty-smelling mold often grows on this type of washer. It can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It can also lead to allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Leaving the door open between loads can help keep mold at bay. Regularly drying and cleaning the rubber gasket also helps.
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