Here’s How to Clean Your Appliances Inside & Out

Your home probably has a dozen or more appliances to handle all the cooking, food storage, food prep, and laundry needs of your family. Regular, thorough cleaning will improve their performance, increase their lifespan, and keep them looking shiny and new. It will also help eliminate any potential harmful contaminants. Here’s some tips on how to keep all the appliances in your house looking and running great.

How to Clean Ovens

There are many excellent oven cleaners available for cleaning the inside of your oven, including fume-free formulations. You can also try using a homemade mixture of a quarter-cup white vinegar, 1.5 cups baking soda and a half-cup dish soap. Outside surfaces can be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild soap.

How to Clean Stovetops

Different types of stovetops require different cleaning methods. Find your type below and follow the tips to keep it clean.

Gas Stovetops

Gas stove tops have removable parts, including the pot-holder racks and some of the burner parts: 

1. If your gas stove has a control lock, engage it before cleaning 

2. Remove the stovetop grates and burners/caps then soak and scrub them in the sink with a non-toxic degreaser or concentrated dish detergent 

3. Spray the exposed stove top with the same degreaser then use a non-scratch scrubbing pad to clean off the stuck-on bits 

4. Remove any baked on spills with a non-scratch brush 

5. Allow all the parts to dry before reassembling your stovetop

Ceramic Glass and Induction Stovetops

Specialty glass cooktop cleaners are great for removing heat-hardened spills and stains. You can also find ceramic cooktop cleaning kits complete with a glass-safe scraper and scrubbing pads. You can also try using some at-home ingredients by following the steps below: 

1. Apply dish soap to the stovetop followed by a sprinkling of baking soda 

2. Add a couple tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide 

3. Scrub the mixture over the glass using a plastic dish scrubber 

4. Allow to sit for a few minutes then wipe clean

Electric Coil Stovetops

Electric coil stovetops have removable elements that make for easy cleaning. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Pull out the heater coils from socket fittings (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions) 

2. Wipe the coils clean with a dishcloth (do not submerge them in water or get the electrical connections wet) 

3. Pop out the drip pans and rims and scrub them clean with soap and water, taking care not to damage the chrome plating 

4. Clean the exposed stove top with a non-toxic degreaser, then reassemble the parts

How to Clean Fridges & Freezers

Your fridge and freezer store your food, so do not use any toxic commercial cleaners. Simply wipe the inner and outer surfaces with a soft cloth and a warm water-baking soda solution. Be sure to rinse the interior after cleaning. Stainless steel wipes offer a quick and easy way to clean the exterior. For white or black units use a mild all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of bleach, baking soda and water.

How to Clean Garbage Disposals

Your garbage disposal does not require dismantling in order to be cleaned. You can simply drop in a few cups of ice cubes and some rock salt, then turn the disposal on while running cold water. You can also try the following: 

1. Pour in a half-cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar 

2. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes 

3. Turn on the garbage disposal and allow the hot water to rinse it out

How to Clean Dishwashers

It might be counterintuitive to think you need to clean a dishwasher when its function is to make things clean. However, your dishwasher does need attention: 

• Regularly check the drain under the lower rack to remove gunk and food which can cause clogs and bad odours 

• Spray a little white vinegar in the drain to keep it fresh 

• Every few weeks, fill a dishwasher-safe bowl two-thirds full of vinegar and place it on the dishwasher’s top rack 

• Then run a dishwasher cycle with hot water: the vinegar will help loosen up soap scum, stuck food bits and grease from the walls and racks 

• Use a mild all-purpose cleaner on the exterior

How to Clean Your Washing Machine & Dryer

Here’s an easy approach to cleaning your laundry machines. For the outside of both units use a mild all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. Note: always check the manufacturer’s instructions first:

Washing Machine

1. Set the washer to warm water and run the rinse cycle 

2. Put half-a-cup of bleach in the detergent compartment 

3. Fill the bleach compartment with bleach 

4. Run the washer through a complete cycle 

Dryer

1. Vacuum the inside of the dryer drum 

2. Remove the front lint trap and clean/vacuum thoroughly 

3. Use a damp cloth and a mild liquid cleaner to wipe down the inside 

4. Pull out the dryer and disengage the exterior exhaust vent clamp 

5. Check for any clogs and vacuum out the exhaust duct

How to Clean Your Smaller Appliances

Chrome appliances can sparkle again with a combination cleanser/polish. Stainless steel can be brought back to life with a good stainless-steel cleaner. Household glass cleaners can remove streaks and smudges from any appliance with glass components, like your blender. Just remember to rinse out the inside thoroughly after cleaning.

Microwave Oven

Use a soft cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to wipe the inside/outside of your microwave. Wash any removable parts in the sink with dish soap.

Drip Coffee Maker

Fill the water reservoir half-and-half with distilled vinegar and water. Start the machine but turn it off half-way through the brew cycle and allow to sit for an hour. Finish the cycle, discard the fluid, fill with fresh water and let the machine complete another brewing cycle. Run a second cycle to complete the cleaning process.

Kettle

Use equal parts vinegar or lime juice and water to fill the kettle halfway. Then bring to boil, take off the heat, and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Once complete, pour out the liquid and rinse the kettle thoroughly to complete the descaling process.

Toaster

Unplug your toaster and shake it over a garbage can to remove all the loose crumbs. Then remove the crumb tray and brush it out. Wipe down the outer surface with a soft damp cloth.

Air Fryer

The drawer and basket should be cleaned after every cooking session. After unplugging the unit, soak them in soapy water and wipe clean with a non-abrasive cloth. You should also wipe down the heating element to get rid of spattered grease. If the element needs deep cleaning, consult your air fryer instructions.

Deep Fryer

Unplug the fryer, remove all the used oil, and scrape off any food particles with a plastic spatula. Scour the inside with soap and lather, then fill with hot water to soak for half-an-hour. Wash the baskets in the sink in hot soapy water.

Pressure Cooker

Always consult your pressure cooker instructions before cleaning. For most models, unplug the cooker and remove the lid, interior pot, steam-release handle, anti-block shield, float valve, and silicone ring. Clean these parts gently with a simple all-purpose cleaner or a baking soda mixture.

Electric Cooking Appliances, Food Processors & Juicers

These include slow cookers, griddles, blenders, and mixers. Simply remove the pans, bowls, jugs, and other parts that come in contact with food. Wash them carefully in warm water and dish soap. Do not use harsh abrasives or cleaners.

Keeping your large and small appliances clean takes a bit of time and effort. In the long run, it is cost-effective maintenance that will make your appliances last longer, and perform and look better.