Whether you're a seasoned pro at cooking or a novice, we enter our kitchens on a daily basis. From crafting culinary masterpieces to utilizing your microwaves, our appliances are used regularly. Most people will clean their kitchen areas like the counters and floors routinely. However, we often forget to wipe down the appliances we use! Microwaves, stoves, ovens, toasters, etc. are used to cook a variety of meals, but aren't always completely cleaned afterward. Here is a guide to help walk you through the proper cleaning process for a sparkling kitchen!
Types of Materials
Before beginning any cleaning steps, you need to verify the type of material. Is it a stainless steel fridge or a glass blender? Depending on the material will also determine what cleaning products or supplies you might use. Some materials are more sensitive, while others can be scrubbed without scratching. Ensure you identify what it is made from, that way you aren't damaging your appliances when you deep clean them.
Tackling the Fridge
The biggest appliances in your home are used the most frequently. This means they need to be cleaned out and wiped down the most. Your fridge is used by everyone in the household, whether they cook anything or not. Often, it is best to clean out your fridge before you make a grocery trip because there are fewer items to move around. Ensure you are wiping down the shelves inside of your refrigerator with soap and water at the minimum. Clear food out of the way so you don't miss any areas. Wash the doors and sides as well.
The exterior of the fridge, depending on the material, will determine what you use. For instance, nothing abrasive can be used on stainless steel. You can make a cleaner for your stainless steel at home by mixing white vinegar and olive oil or dish soap and baby oil. Both of these will clean your fridge without leaving behind the streaks that most cleaners do. Don't forget to pull your refrigerator forward and wipe behind it. Since you never move it, there will likely be lots of debris and build-up on the floor.
Wiping Down Your Stove/Oven
The top of your stove is easy to clean because you can maneuver around the eyes of the stove. Whether you have a gas or electric oven, you can wash the area with baking soda and water. Allow it to soak for a small period of time if there is build-up around the eyes. Once that is finished, use soap and water to clean the surface, remembering to wipe down the sides and the display.
Cleaning out your oven can be a difficult task, depending on which type you have. Some ovens have self-cleaning options, which makes it easy because it does most of the process for you. However, if it doesn't, it will take a bit more elbow grease to clear away the gunk gathered inside. You can use household items to dissolve the stains and debris in your oven. Spread baking soda and water using a brush along the bottom of the oven. Then, mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the entire area. Let this sit overnight before wiping it out.
Washing the Dish Washer
As we've mentioned above, deep cleaning your appliances will help you keep a clean, safe home. The easiest methods for cleaning at home are white vinegar and baking soda. These are safe for your health, and generally, households have them handy. For cleaning your dishwashers, pull out the racks and wipe them down with soap and water. If anything is stuck to the metal, soak it in hot water and white vinegar. This will eliminate anything leftover or lingering on the racks. Place them back inside the dishwasher.
There are two ways to clean it naturally. Place a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle. The second option is to sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher inside and run a cycle as well. Both of these will eliminate odors and sanitize the entire interior. The exterior is easier, you can use a sponge and soap and water to wipe down any debris on the door.
Small Appliances
From microwaves to toasters, we use a variety of appliances to make our food. One of the most commonly used items is the microwave. This is easy for people who need something fast or just want to heat up leftovers. However, this also means it is one of the most used appliances in your kitchen. Thus, you need to maintain it and clean it often to keep the area sanitized. Pull out the turntable of the microwave and soak this in soap and hot water. Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a sponge. If there are any hard stains or spots, place the turntable back and place a bowl of white vinegar inside. Set the microwave for 2 minutes and this will loosen any tough spots. Wipe it down with a sponge to finish.
Other appliances that are used often can be maintained by cleaning them after each use. When you deep clean blenders and other items, use a toothbrush to hit all the cracks of the machine. This will ensure you aren't leaving anything behind.
Overall, you need to ensure to deep clean both your kitchen and the appliances. This will make sure everything is sanitized and clean for use. The kitchen is the most important area to maintain a clean environment because everyone eats or makes their food in this area.
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