How often do you clean your appliances? Let’s say your refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer, oven, dryer and more. Once in a month, maybe? Once in a couple of months?
Well, apart from “how often” you need to clean your appliances, the more important aspect here is whether you’re actually cleaning your appliances the right way or missing some spots! Check out this article to find out!
Appliance Cleaning Checklist
1. Stovetop
Your stovetop is one of the most used items in the kitchen and it gets dirty quite frequently, doesn’t it? Well, cleaning your stovetop must be done every day, while a deep clean needs to be done at least once a week.
Always make sure to detach electric coils (in case you own an electric stovetop) and wipe with down the stovetop with a damp cloth or sponge.
If you own a gas stovetop, you can soak the stove top grates and burner caps in bucket of warm soapy water, let it sit for a while and then scrub it with an old toothbrush to get rid of gunk.
Make sure to remove any loose food particles/debris or dirt with a paper towel and wipe the stove top with an all-purpose or stovetop cleaner and scrub using a non-abrasive sponge.
Caution: Make sure the oils/burners are completely cooled before cleaning.
2. Oven
Apart from a regular cleaning once you’ve used the oven, a deep clean should be done once in every three months at least.
You will first need remove and scrub the oven racks. For this you can use baking soda and diluted vinegar water mixture to scrub them. You can also use the same mixture to wipe your oven door, dip in a towel. You can wipe down the inside of your oven with a paper towel.
Caution: Make sure that the oven is completely cooled and has been turned off and the plug is pulled out for safety purposes.
3. Deep clean Refrigerator
Your refrigerator will need a deep clean once in every three to four months. You can begin with wiping down the shelves with a regular detergent or an all-purpose cleaning liquid.
Caution: Make sure that the refrigerator is turned off and the plug is pulled out for safety purposes.
Next, vacuum behind and under the refrigerator. Also, wipe coils with a towel dipped in dish soap and water.
Make sure to inspect gaskets on your fridge door and wipe the door with a damp towel. Lastly, throw out any unwanted food to improve airflow, especially stuff that has expired.
4. Dishwasher
Your dishwasher should be cleaned at least once a month. Start off by cleaning the filter with hot water and clean soapy sponge. Then, run a cleaning cycle using 3 cups of vinegar.
Next, gently scrub any grime from the door’s rubber seal and use a damp cloth to wipe down the door inside and outside.
5. Microwave
While a daily cleaning of the microwave is ideal, a deep clean can be done once a week, because our microwave is a very regularly used appliance.
Begin with removing microwave plate and scrub with soapy water.
Then, use a damp cloth to wipe down the door, both exterior (buttons included) and interior (including the whole inside of the microwave).
6. Washer and Dryer
Make sure to deep clean your washer and dryer at least once every month. For the washer, you can soak the detergent tray in warm water and thereafter, run a clean cycle with vinegar and baking soda.
If you use your washer for heavy duty cleaning, then run the cycle with a little bleach. Lastly, empty the lint filter and soak it in warm water.
As for the dryer, vacuum out the dryer vent. Also, vacuum behind and under the washer and dryer.
Caution: Make sure that the washer/dryer is turned off and the plug is pulled out for safety purposes.