Cleaning kitchen appliances can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know the steps involved in cleaning a particular appliance. Of course, most of us know the basics: unplug any appliance before you clean it, don’t immerse electrical parts in water, and check manufacturer instructions if available. But if the owner’s manual has disappeared, and you can’t find a copy online (or the file is too large to download and print), the following checklists for some common appliances, based on information from
RealSimple.com,
Mint.com, and
eHow.com should help you get through the task simply and efficiently.
SMALL APPLIANCES:
Mixer, Blender, Food Processor
- Remove movable parts and soak them in warm water and dishwashing liquid
- Hand wash bowls or the blender carafe or wash them on the top rack of the dishwasher
- If blades have caked-on particles, scour them with a nylon brush or scouring pad
- Dry blades and other parts thoroughly
- Wipe down accessory base with warm water and dishwashing liquid, and dry
Coffeemaker
- Remove filter and carafe, soak in warm, soapy water or wash in the top rack of the dishwasher
- Run a combination of equal parts water and white vinegar through a coffee cycle
- Run plain water through two cycles
- Wipe down the outside of the coffee maker with a cloth dampened with warm water and dishwashing liquid, and dry
Electric Can Opener
- Remove the cutting wheel and lid cover, soak them in warm water with dishwashing liquid, and remove debris with a scouring pad or nylon brush
- Wipe down the base with a cloth dampened with warm water and dishwashing liquid, and dry
- Reassemble
MEDIUM-SIZED APPLIANCES:
Microwave Oven
- Place a bowl containing a few tablespoons of white vinegar inside the microwave and turn it on for five minutes (always open a microwave oven with caution when liquid has been heated inside – another trick is to run the microwave for four minutes with a dampened cotton dish towel inside)
- Remove the inside tray and wash it in soapy water or in the dishwasher
- Use a cloth dipped in water and the vinegar to wipe down the inside
- Clean the outside with a cloth dampened with water and dishwashing liquid, or with an all-purpose cleaner, making sure to clean the slats
- Replace the tray inside
Toaster Oven
- Remove the crumb tray and dump out a crumbs
- Scrub the crumb tray with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap and, if necessary, a nonabrasive sponge
- Remove any shelves and wash them in soapy water, then dry
- Use warm soapy water and a sponge to clean the toaster oven’s interior (Use a synthetic scouring pad, if necessary, for hard-to-remove food particles)
- Wipe down the exterior of the toaster oven with a lint-free cloth and a sanitizing spray
- Replace shelves
LARGE APPLIANCES:
Dishwasher
- Remove all racks
- Wipe interior with a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water
- Use a toothbrush to scrub rack wheels
- Fill the detergent cup with white vinegar, run an empty cycle (powdered lemonade can also work to break up stains)
- Dust the fan slats, using a vacuum brush attachment if necessary
- Wipe the plastic exterior with a wet cloth and all-purpose cleaner (For stainless steel exteriors, try a damp cloth with water and dishwashing liquid, then wring out the cloth and wipe the exterior with the grain)
- Dry with a clean cloth
Refrigerator Interior
- Remove all food, storing frozen items in coolers
- Place crispers and ice-maker bins in warm water and dish soap and scrub with a sponge
- Empty ice maker
- Vacuum out food crumbs
- Clean doors, shelves and walls, using a cloth dampened with a solution made of two tablespoons of baking soda and one quart of warm water
Refrigerator Exterior
- Use a vacuum brush attachment to remove dust and other particles from the exterior of the refrigerator and its rear coils and top vents
- Wipe the outside with a wet, soapy cloth, and, if stainless steel, wring out the cloth and rub with the grain for the best shine
Stove/Oven/Range
- Follow manufacturer instructions for your specific type of stove, oven, or range
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story