After cleaning all your dishes and wiping all the surfaces, nothing makes a kitchen sparkle more than having clean appliances. However, they are notoriously hard to clean. For example, how do you remove the residue that remains at the bottom of a blender? You might be wondering if you need to clean your dishwasher since it cleans your dishes; it’s probably clean too. However, dirt, grime mold, and other forms of filth can build up over time. To help you out here is a guide on how to clean your kitchen appliances and what to use.
Refrigerator
A clean fridge has a big effect on your kitchen. Other than looking great, a clean refrigerator rids your house of weird odors, rotting food, and unsightly clutter. Combine water and white vinegar in equal parts in a spray bottle. Wet the surfaces and with a clean cloth or sponge, wipe down the fridge. You can put this food-safe cleaning solution in the refrigerator in a well-labeled container, so it’s on hand to clean up spills. Always clean spills as they occur.
Aside from the regular cleaning, a good in-depth occasional cleaning will help keep your fridge germ free. Remove the drawers and shelves to clean all the hidden surfaces and nooks. To clean the door gasket, wipe it down with warm soapy water rinse and air dry. If the commercial refrigerator door gasket is loose, you can replace it for a tighter seal that has the added advantage of saving energy. If you notice weird sounds coming from your fridge, pay a visit to your HVAC & Refrigerant Head Quarters for repairs.
Coffee makers
Cleaning coffee makers can be hard because they have so many detachable parts and hard to reach nooks. Remove the filter and the carafe and soak them in warm soapy water. After some time, rinse them out and let them dry. To descale water deposits, pour a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar and hit the brew button. Switch off the machine halfway through the cycle and let the solution sit for about an hour. Turn it back on and let it complete the cycle. This should remove any hard water deposits and help lift the rest. Run some plain water through about two times to rinse out any leftover vinegar. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the outside and dry it with a clean cloth. Some detergents are made to be run through coffee makers.
Bonus tip: mix some baking soda and water and let it sit overnight to remove bitter tastes and odors. Grind some uncooked rice to clean the coffee grinders then wipe it clean.
Food processors, blenders, mixers, and juice extractors
These appliances have a lot of similarities and are cleaned in pretty much the same way. Remove the blades and all other removable parts and soak them in some warm, soapy water. Hand wash the blender carafe or food processing bowl with some warm soapy water. You can also put them in the top rack of the dishwasher and run them through. Use a small brush to clean the blades and remove any deposits that have caked onto them.
Make sure all the parts dry well, especially the blades, to prevent rusting. For the bases, wipe them down with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. Do not submerge them in water, as this will damage the internal machinery.
Kitchen Stove and Oven
Many ovens have a self-clean function, and it is recommended to let the oven do the work for you. For the few hard to reach places such as the hinges and frames, you can use a water-vinegar solution to clean them. You can also use baking soda to remove stubborn stains from an oven. Oven cleaners also work well on difficult stains. Keep your windows open, so you don’t choke on the fumes.
To clean your stovetop, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and soak the burners, knobs, and hood vents (if they fit) for a couple of hours; then scrub. Repeat the process if necessary. Use salt to clean burnt food stains off the stovetop before it cools off. Use the sofa attachment to vacuum any food crumbs that may have fallen in cracks between the stovetop and counter.
Microwave
The inside of a microwave gets coated with soup, grease and sauce stains a lot. Place a cup filled with water and some lemon slices in the microwave and run it on high for three minutes. Let this mixture sit in the microwave for another five minutes. The steam will soften any caked spills, and the lemon will eliminate odors. Clean the inner walls with a cloth and some warm soapy water. You can scrub the wheels of the turntable with a toothbrush. Use an all-purpose cleaner to clean the exterior and make sure you clean the fan slats.
Dishwasher
Many people think that since a dishwasher is meant to clean, it doesn’t need cleaning itself. To prevent a build-up of odors and filth, you need to clean your dishwasher often. To clean the interior, pull out the racks and wipe down the walls with some warm soapy water. Use a brush to scrub the rack wheels to remove any dirt stuck there. To deodorize the dishwasher sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom and run the washer normally. To loosen food and soap scum, place a cup with some vinegar on the top rack and run the machine on high, then wipe it clean. If the stains are hard to remove, let it soak overnight.
You can use baking soda, lemon, salt, and white vinegar to clean most of your appliances. Remember to check the manufacturer’s manual if you are unsure of what should be used on certain appliances. Don’t wait until they get too dirty to clean your appliances. Try and clean them often. Don’t forget to unplug them and avoid getting water into places that should not get wet. Happy Cleaning!
