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The machine in your kitchen that cleans your dishes also needs to be cleaned from time to time.

Grease, soap scum and debris build up and provide a breeding ground for germs. This also reduces the efficiency of the appliance leaving your dishes looking dirty.

Here are some simple steps for cleaning your dishwasher:

1. Clear the drain

Remove the bottom rack. Inspect the drain and remove any debris or food caught in there.

2. Vinegar Wash

Put a dishwasher-safe with one cup of vinegar on the top rack. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle.

3. Baking Soda Rinse

Sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot-water cycle.

4. Possibly Bleach

If your dishwasher still isn’t as clean as you’d like, you may consider running a cycle with bleach (not recommended for stainless steel interiors).

With so many different materials being used in homes, it’s important to understand the difference in care. Here are some of the most common countertops and some easy ways to clean and maintain them.

Laminate - use a soft cloth with a mild detergent or cleaner, and use a soft toothbrush to clean the seams and edges

Quartz - use a soft sponge or dishcloth and warm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scrub sponges, or metallic pads, as these may dull the surface; additionally, some common household cleaners with very high or low pH levels may discolor quartz countertops.

Granite - wash with a pH-neutral cleaner or a cleaner specific for stone to keep your counters clean. Avoid vinegar, lemon juice, harsh cleaner or abrasive materials

Corian - use warm soapy water, ammonia-based cleaner, or dedicated countertop cleaner. Avoid window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build-up

Tile - use a cleaning solution with a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or a non-metallic brush, then rinse the entire area to remove residue. Grout also needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to help remove surface build up.

Marble - use a mild, non-abrasive, pH neutral (non-acidic) soap mixed with water or specific marble cleaner. Avoid anything containing acid, including lemon juice and water.

Wooden - scrub the surface with a sponge and a mixture of mild dish soap and hot water. To sanitize you can use undiluted vinegar and let the vinegar sit for several minutes before rinsing it off with hot water

With so many different materials being used in homes, it’s important to understand the difference in care. Here are some of the most common countertops and some easy ways to clean and maintain them.

Laminate - use a soft cloth with a mild detergent or cleaner, and use a soft toothbrush to clean the seams and edges

Quartz - use a soft sponge or dishcloth and warm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scrub sponges, or metallic pads, as these may dull the surface; additionally, some common household cleaners with very high or low pH levels may discolor quartz countertops.

Granite - wash with a pH-neutral cleaner or a cleaner specific for stone to keep your counters clean. Avoid vinegar, lemon juice, harsh cleaner or abrasive materials

Corian - use warm soapy water, ammonia-based cleaner, or dedicated countertop cleaner. Avoid window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build-up

Tile - use a cleaning solution with a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or a non-metallic brush, then rinse the entire area to remove residue. Grout also needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to help remove surface build up.

Marble - use a mild, non-abrasive, pH neutral (non-acidic) soap mixed with water or specific marble cleaner. Avoid anything containing acid, including lemon juice and water.

Wooden - scrub the surface with a sponge and a mixture of mild dish soap and hot water. To sanitize you can use undiluted vinegar and let the vinegar sit for several minutes before rinsing it off with hot water

Pipe burst? Water flooding? Here's a quick video on how to turn the water main off to your home.

A house fire is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Despite being brought up with knowledge of and tips about fire prevention, most house fires still start because of the smallest things. Here are some of the most common reasons for house fires, which can easily be avoided.

• Cooking equipment (e.g., leaving pots or pans to overheat on the stove)

• Candles (keep them away from curtains, tissue boxes, books, and other similar household items, always blow a candle out before leaving a room)

• Barbeques (cook with them away from tablecloths, garbage or recycling bins, and plants or tree branches, Keep BBQs regularly maintained and cleaned with soapy water and clean any removable parts.)

• Flammable liquids (keep things such as kerosene or petrol away from heat sources)

• Curious children (if there are any open flames, make sure to keep them and matches or lighters out of reach of children, Teach kids understand the “stop, drop, cover and roll”” drill as well as knowing their address if they needed to call 911.)

• Lighting (be sure to use safe bulbs and lampshades that don’t overheat, Check around the house to make sure. Lamp bases can become a hazard if they are able to be knocked over easily, and so should be removed if they are)

• Electrical equipment (e.g., appliances that have frayed cords or are plugged into overloaded extension cords or wall outlets, double check the appliances and power points in your home.)

• Christmas Tree Fires (cut off an inch or so from the bottom of the trunk, removing any dead wood that would prevent the tree from soaking up water)

While we can’t eliminate all potential causes of house fires these are some basics that are well worth keeping in mind.

Toilet leaking or overflowing? Here's a quick video on how to turn the water off to to the toilet.