When was the last time you gave your large appliances a deep clean? Deep cleaning your kitchen appliances is not just important for a clean, fresh-smelling kitchen, but it also helps to maintain them and keep them working properly longer.
Refrigerator
It’s essential to have a clean refrigerator as it stores raw and cold foods. A light weekly wipe down is great for any spillage but a thorough clean is necessary every 2 months.
Start by taking all the items out of the fridge; sort through the contents and dispose of spoilt and/or expired foods.
- Remove the shelves, racks, and drawers. If you have a large enough space to soak and scrub these removable pieces, it is advised to do so in warm, soapy water. Otherwise, they can be cleaned under running water with dish soap and a scrubber.
- Spray the interior of your fridge with a DIY fridge cleaning solution with equal parts warm water and vinegar. You can add a few drops of lemon extract for a fresh fragrance.
- Replace all shelves and drawers once cleaned and dried.
Microwave
Microwaves should be cleaned regularly to avoid any build up. Luckily, it’s an easy task.
In a microwave-safe bowl, pour equal parts water and white vinegar (1 cup each). A lemon can be added in place of vinegar. Place it in the microwave and heat for 5 minutes or until the interior starts to sweat/steam up. Remove the microwave plate and let it soak in dish soap water while you wipe down the interior of your microwave.
Dishwasher
When deep cleaning your dishwasher, start from the inside and work your way out. If your dishwasher has a food trap or any other removable parts, start by taking them out and cleaning them.
Using your favourite cleaner, wipe down the inside of the door, paying special attention to the joints where the door opens and closes. Wipe out the bottom of the dishwasher as well and remove any food or debris that may have collected there.
Then, run the dishwasher through a cleaning cycle. Use either the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner or simply put a bowl of vinegar in the top rack and run empty. This should disinfect your dishwasher and remove any odours. Then, all that’s left is cleaning the outside.
Gas Stove
A stove is easily one of the most frequently greased-up kitchen appliances. Prone to oil splatters, food spills, and burnt-on grease, your stove requires a daily wipe down and weekly cleaning to keep it free of bacteria and looking as good as new.
Soak the cooktop grates and burners in warm, soapy water. Once they have soaked, give them a good scrub down with a wire brush.
Spray the stove top with warm soap water, let it sit for 5 minutes and wipe down with a microfibre cloth. You may want to use a non-abrasive scraper for the tougher stains. Rinse off the grates and burners, allow them to dry completely, and then replace them.
Oven
You can’t clean your stove top and ignore your oven! Start with the inside of the oven. Remove racks, then scoop up any loose food that may be on the bottom of the oven. If baked-on food remains on the oven floor, sprinkle it with baking soda. For the sides of the oven, mix baking soda with water to form a paste that you can paint onto the problem areas. “Spray it with white distilled vinegar, and watch the mixture foam as it works,” says Leslie Reichert, known as the The Cleaning Coach. For maximum effect, let the solution sit overnight. Remove it all the next day with a warm, wet rag.
For a quick oven clean:
- Heat oven to 225 degrees.
- Place a pan of water in the oven. Let sit for at least 15 minutes. Turn off the oven.
- Let water cool and mix with dishwashing soap. Dip a sponge in the mixture and scrub the inside of the oven.
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