Appliances are an essential part of our daily life providing our homes with comfort and convenience while automating certain operations that people simply can’t handle. All too often we don’t give them the attention they deserve even if we depend on their proper functioning. Regardless of the time of year or the type of appliance, home appliances cleaning is a task that most people don’t look forward to until it is too late, and the appliance fails. How long has it been since you cleaned out your fridge, cooking range, oven, range hood or grill? Has it ever occurred to you to clean your washing machine or dishwasher? When was the last time you took care of and dusted your printer, computer or audio speakers?
Below is a list of home appliances that often don’t get enough attention even if taking care of them is as easy as pie.
Stove, Cooking Range, Oven
If there are a few appliances in the kitchen that get messier than the microwave, it must be the stove, cooking range and the oven. In most homes these appliances see daily use, and it’s easy for food, grease, and other residue to build up quickly up to the point when it becomes almost impossible to clean without the help of professional appliances cleaning. As time goes by, if left uncleaned, bacteria and other unwanted grime can also start to grow. If you are a foodie and have a commercial grade cooking range or oven, leaving it uncleaned for long will result in persistent build-up of grease that will penetrate the entire appliance and ruin its sleek look.
How to clean my oven range?
Cleaning your cooking range is a process that should be done daily, and in fact after every use. Using a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner will ensure the best results for daily cleaning. At least once a week you should remove the knobs, grates and racks off your oven and give it a good scrubbing and polishing. For ovens that have a self-cleaning option you’ll want to add a quarterly run of that procedure, but before you run that option, take out your racks and clean them while it runs to avoid any damages. As a best practice, after each use of your cooking range and oven you should examine for any grease spills and splatters that should be cleaned while the oven has not completely cooled off. If you don’t want to constantly check for grease after each use, you can place a silicone liner at the bottom of the cooking range and protect its surface from unintended carbonization. Home appliances cleaning of cooking ranges, stove and ovens is a specialist service as it requires disassembling of some removable parts in order to be cleaned properly.
Dishwasher
While your dishwasher can do an amazing job of reducing your workload and keeping your dishes clean, it does need the occasional cleaning. Failing to clean it can lead to food build-up, foul odors, and the growth of bacteria inside your machine. All of these can lead to your machine breaking down faster, but more importantly, increase the risk of getting sick.
How to clean my dishwasher?
Diligence is your friend with dishwasher cleaning and maintenance. Every time you run your dishwasher you should ensure that the drain is clear of any leftover food or other residue. Doing this will help prevent the food from decaying in your machine. You can also add a spray of white vinegar to freshen it between washes. A monthly cleaning of your dishwasher is a simple process, just put a cup of white vinegar on the top shelf in your dishwasher and put it through a normal cycle.
Washing Machine
Just based on the name alone it will probably come as a surprise that you actually need to clean this device now and then. Cleaning your washing machine may seem silly on the surface, but research has revealed that bacteria from your clothes can stick around in the machine and build up over time.
How to clean my washing machine?
Cleaning out this device is a fairly simple process. You just need to run an empty load and pour in water, baking soda, and white vinegar to help kill off the bacteria every month. You can also extend the lifespan of your machine by opening the lid and letting the interior of the machine dry out, helping to prevent the growth of mildew.
Refrigerator
Without a doubt the refrigerator is the appliance that gets cleaned the least and can become subject to some rather unpleasant smells and build-ups of germs. Due to its use for storing dairy products, meats, and leftovers one of the greatest risks is the appearance of Listeria within the refrigerator. This disease isn’t fun for anyone, but can be particularly dangerous to the elderly, pregnant, and anyone whose immune system is suppressed.
How to clean my refrigerator?
Refrigerators should receive a minor clean every week, with spills getting wiped up immediately and the counters generally cleaned. Once a month all the food needs to be removed from the appliance, as well as all the shelves. Once this is done all surfaces within the fridge need to be cleaned out, sanitized, and dried out. Spoiled food should be thrown out, and packaged foods examined before being placed back in the fridge. Once you’re done, throw in a box of baking soda to help eliminate odors.
Microwave
Of all the appliances in the kitchen the Microwave sees the most constant, and often the messiest, use. As the food heats, it has a tendency to splatter and pop all over the inside of the appliance, resulting in opportunities for germs to grow. Not to mention the embarrassment you may have to deal with, if you have visiting friends and family using your microwave.
How to clean my microwave?
Just take an antibacterial wipe and give the handle a cleaning after each use. Once a week or so you should wipe down the interior with some soap and water. Make it easier by nuking a bowl of lemon water for a few minutes before wiping down the interior. The steam and citrus will help break up the food.
Coffee Machine
If you’re like most people you start your day off with a steaming cup of fragrant coffee. Like most appliances that produce food your coffee maker can be a hotbed for yeast and mould thanks to the warm moist environment they create when running. Regular cleaning of your coffee pot ensures that all the internal parts are running clean and safe. It will also keep it from becoming an attractive nest for vermin.
How to clean my coffee machine?
If you want to make sure you always have a delicious cup of coffee free from unwanted contaminants, you want to clean your pot at least once a month. This is accomplished by putting a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water through your coffee maker, running it until it’s about half-done. Turn it off and let it sit that way for approximately 30 minutes, then let it finish running. The basket, lid, and carafe will all need cleaning afterwards with a simple solution of warm water and soap.
If you need home appliances cleaning done professionally give Miss Maid’s Oven and Appliances Cleaning team a call today!
