When was the last time when you gave your appliances a good, deep cleaning? Well, most people tend to ignore cleaning their appliances thoroughly when cleaning their homes. However, did you know that deep cleaning your appliances isn’t not only meant for a clean and good looking kitchen? This is also an important part of maintaining your appliances and helps in keeping them in good condition for long.
The following is the ultimate guide to deep cleaning your appliances.
Refrigerator
Deep cleaning your refrigerator can help you to get rid of odors, unattractive clutter, as well as expired foods. Here are the steps to follow when cleaning your fridge:
- First, you’ll need to make sure that the fridge is empty. If there are any foodstuffs, transfer them to another fridge to prevent them from getting spoilt.
- Remove all shelves and drawers—this will allow you to clean all the hidden surfaces. Take some time to clean the door gasket too.
- Lastly, vacuum any dust that might have accumulated on the compressor.
Dishwasher
According to the technicians at Hartman’s Appliance Repair, Jacksonville, you should always deep clean your dishwasher at least once a month. Here are easy steps to clean your dishwasher:
- Take a dishwasher-safe cup, and fill it with vinegar
- Place this cup on the topmost rack of the dishwasher
- Run the machine on the longest, hottest cycle. This helps in loosening soap scum and sanitizing the appliance.
Then, remove the removable parts and accessories to give it a good scrub. To clean the spray arm, use a soft toothbrush—this will remove any debris on the sprayers. Lastly, use the procedure above to remove hard water deposits.
Microwave
Cleaning a microwave doesn’t cross the mind of most people. However, grease, sauce, and soup splashes can make your microwave look nasty and reduce its efficiency. However, there’s an easy way to clean your microwave:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, put water and then put it into the microwave
- Heat the bowl when uncovered, until the water boils
- This helps in loosening the stuck foodstuffs—which you can now wipe with a wet sponge.
Kitchen oven and stove
Letting seasoning spills and oil splatters sit on your stove for long periods can give it an unappealing look. This shows the importance of thoroughly cleaning these spills. The following are easy cleaning steps that will allow you to give your glass cooktop and stovetop a brand new look.
- Soak the spill or stain in a multi-purpose cleaner, and then allow it to sit for a while.
- Next, use a single-edged scraper to scrape off the debris—be careful not to scratch the top when doing this. Make sure that you hold the blade at a 34 – 45-degree angle for maximum effectiveness.
- When done, wipe the stove or cooktop with a damp cloth.
After cleaning your stovetop, proceed to the oven. If you see signs of build-up smoke or grime, make sure that you clean it before it starts affecting the efficiency of your oven. Here are the steps that you should follow when cleaning your oven:
- Heat the oven to around 225 degrees
- Then, place a pan of water in the oven, and allow it to sit for around 15 minutes.
- Next, allow the water to cool and then mix it with dishwashing soap.
- Using a sponge, give the oven a thorough scrub. Make sure that you target the areas with tough stains.
- Lastly, make sure that you also clean the oven door, as well as the sides.
Washing machine
Just like cleaning your dishwasher, you should also make sure that you clean your washing machine regularly. In fact, you should give the machine a deep clean every three months. Here are three easy steps that will help you to clean your washing machine:
- Pour 1 – 2 cups of vinegar in the drum, and then run the machine in the hottest, longest cycle.
- Once the cycle is over, mix a ¼ cup of warm water with ¼ cup of vinegar. Dip a sponge or soft toothbrush in the mixture, and then wipe down the inside of the washer. For the soap dispenser and rubber gasket, remove it, and allow it to soak in the water and vinegar mixture before scrubbing it.
- After that, run the machine in another longest, hottest cycle, but without detergent and vinegar.
You should not forget to clean your dryer as well. Always make sure that you clean the lint filter or screen after every load. Also, don’t forget to clean the lint trap too.
