You can mop your floor and wipe the counters on a daily basis, but if your appliances are not clean, your kitchen will not look like you dream. Whether it’s a blender for smoothies or an oven for a pot roast, your kitchen appliance comes in handy almost every day. So of course, they will get dirty from time to time and need a bit of elbow grease to knock out some of the bigger, built up messes that come from use.
If you haven’t cleaned your equipment, keep in mind that a dirty kitchen means dirty food, and nobody wants that! Now, here are some tips for cleaning your device without the use of harsh chemicals.
White vinegar will be your best friend while cleaning the kitchen. You may end up holding a jug at hand all the time. It has the benefit of being an amazing cleaner while at the same time being food friendly.
Microwave
Fill a bowl with water and lemon slices. Place in the center of the microwave uncovered. Run the machine on high power for three minutes. Leave the bowl for a few minutes to let the steam dissolve the caked food, and the lemon to eliminate smells. Wipe clean.
Coffee machine
To give your coffee maker an internal clean all you need is white vinegar and water. Fill the reservoir with half white vinegar and half water. Insert a coffee filter and run a brew. Turn off the machine in the middle of the cycle and let the solution soak for an hour. Finish the brew. Allow the vinegar solution to soak the carafe for 30 minutes. Discard the solution and the used coffee filter.
To remove the smell and taste of vinegar from the coffee, run clean, fresh filtered water through the machine twice. Wipe your coffee and carafe with a clean cloth.
Great device
The kitchen is home to three main appliances – refrigerator, stove/oven, and dishwasher. Cleaning the exterior is not enough to ensure that you are getting the most out of these key roles. These slightly larger jobs can take over the sink and countertops for a while, so plan accordingly.
Dryers
Empty the dishwasher and place a cup full of white vinegar on the top rack. Run the dishwasher on the hottest and longest cycle. This will sanitize and dissolve food and soap scum washing them away with the cycle. Any Stubborn stains can be cleaned on the spot with a toothbrush and a paste made of baking soda and warm water.
If your dishwasher still smells after a vinegar cycle, try cleaning the drain. Clogs of food and debris will not only spoil your cleaning power but contribute to a lingering smell. Remove the bottom rack to access the drain and remove any gunk you can reach with your hands. Remove the drain cap, rinse in the sink and it’s good as new!
Refrigerator
Cleaning the exterior requires a little more than some elbow grease. However, the inside of the refrigerator will take a little more time and take up a lot of space.
There is no way around it you have to remove all the food from the fridge. Take this time to throw out all expired, spoiled or unwanted food items. Doing this will remove the smell, the clutter, and make the fridge cleaner. Remove all removable shelves, bins or drawers. They can be soaked in warm water and a mild detergent. Spray the entire interior of the refrigerator with white vinegar. Vinegar should handle most stains but something tougher will happen with a baking soda and water paste. Wipe down from top to bottom. The cleaner, as well as crumbs and debris, will fall on the shelf below, making it easy to continue wiping as you go. Scrub the removed parts, and dry everything thoroughly before replacing them.
Place a baking soda box on the bottom shelf of the fridge to soak up any smells.
Stove/oven
The stove will take a fair share of spills. It is better to clean them as soon as possible, without burning yourself of course! If you missed a spill or want to get a deeper clean follow these steps.
Remove grates and soak in warm water and mild dish soap (Pro tip: for extra dirty grates soak overnight in zip lock bags with a little ammonia). Use white vinegar, water, and a toothbrush to remove food spills and grime from the stove. Wipe it all off.
Run auto-clean and let it do most of the work. If you are not satisfied with the results, follow these steps. Heat the oven to 225 degrees. Place a pan of water on the center shelf and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the water cool. Mix with dish soap and use the mixture to scrub the inside of the oven.
Final thoughts
With a little knowledge, cleaning your kitchen appliances doesn’t have to be an all-day affair that leaves your kitchen looking like a war zone. Following these tips you can do your next spring cleaning or post-summer cleanup day much more manageable. Remember, white vinegar is your friend for safe cleaning around food, although it is a little on the smelly side.
