Deep Cleaning Your Appliances: A Quick Guide in 6 Steps

Some commonly used items in homes are kitchen appliances. However, these do not get proper attention when it comes to cleaning. Unlike other utensils and kitchen surfaces, we tend to overlook appliances. Most people will wipe them only in case of a spill. Cleaning kitchen appliances can help keep your appliances functional for a longer period. In the long run, this will save you the hassle of fixing them. What’s more, having clean appliances motivates you to spend time preparing meals.

Below is a guide you can follow for deep cleaning your appliances;

Refrigerator

The dirtiest part of any fridge is the area behind it. The area hosts a lot of dust, grease, and other particles that may have dropped behind. For cleaning, ensure you pull out the refrigerator and wash out the dirt. After this, vacuum-clean the fridge coils at the back and bottom part of the fridge. This eases the strain on the motor and can help prevent untimely damage.

Ensure you also wipe the door seal with warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry it up. In case of a loose door seal, refer to the owner’s manual for a replacement guide. You can find the refrigerator seals or gaskets through online stores or home improvement centers. A tight seal helps save energy.

For the inner and outer parts of the fridge, use a solution of water and white vinegar or a little soapy water depending on what is available. This will leave a clean and shiny look on your refrigerator. Make sure you frequently clean the crisper and shelves. In case of a spill, clean up in an instant. Use a damp cloth to wipe out fingerprints on appliances with stainless steel exteriors.

Oven and stove

Most ovens have self-cleaning abilities. It is advisable to leave the oven to do the self-cleaning. However, some parts of the oven such as the door frames and hinges may have accumulated dirt that isn’t wiped out by the self-cleaning property. You can wipe these parts using soapy water, or a solution of vinegar and water.

For the scum formed during baking, a spritz of commercial oven cleaner or a sponge with baking soda can help remove it. While spraying the commercial oven cleaner, it is important to have your windows open to avoid choking of the fumes. In case of a spill, make a habit of cleaning the messed parts quickly to avoid drying up and staining that requires more effort to scrub off.

While cleaning the top of your stove, fill the sink or basin with soapy, hot water and soak the knobs, vents, and burners for a few hours, then scrub them. Repeat the process if they are not all cleaned up. If your metal drip plates have stains beyond scrubbing, consider buying new ones for replacement. For the crumbs that have accumulated within cracks between the counter and the stovetop, use the sofa attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get into the cracks.

Dishwasher

The dishwasher has a self-cleaning feature and cleans itself after use. However, it is important to check for fragments in the drain beneath the machine. The gaskets on the door require cleaning to ensure the door has a tight seal. To freshen up the machine, use a bowl of white vinegar by placing it on the top rack and running the machine for a full cycle, empty. Repeat this process once every week.

Microwave

Your microwave may have accumulated a lot of baked-on food gunk. To get rid of this, fill a microwave-safe vessel with water and microwave it to boil. Leave the water inside the microwave for the steam to loosen the dirt, and then wipe it out.

Toaster

Ensure you unplug your toaster from the power source. Pull the crumb catcher out and clean it up, then shake the machine over to remove any accumulated food mess. Leave the toaster to dry up before plugging it back in.

Coffee machine

Your coffee machine may get clogged by mineral deposits. To get rid of these, use a solution of water and vinegar in the ratio 2:1 respectively. Put the solution into the water chamber, place it in the coffee sieve and gush the solution through the machine. Run clean water through the machine two times, to get rid of the taste of vinegar. If you have a glass, coffee pot, or pitcher with stains, cover the bottom part with table salt and ice cubes. When they start melting and dissolving, whoosh it around for a few minutes and rinse.

Bottom Line

There you go, here is the guide to help you deep clean your appliances. According to the technicians at Hartman’s Appliance Repair, Jacksonville, always make sure that you unplug your appliances from the power supply to avoid unwanted injuries. Also, read the user manual to avoid damaging your appliances during the cleaning process.