Investing in major kitchen appliances be it big or small ones can prove to be expensive. It is only natural that we would want them to last long and work efficiently.
To achieve this, regular cleaning and maintenance is imperative. Taking care of your machines can not only keep your utility bills nice and low, but can also prevent sudden breakdown.
Here are some smart tips to get started…
Refrigerators and Freezers
- You can clean the condenser coil with a brush or vacuum cleaner every now and then. But do go through the manufacturer’s manual once.
- The underside of your fridge collects dust and grime quickly. So clean it regularly to ensure efficient air circulation.
- Every week, wipe the shelves and racks inside your fridge. Get rid of expired food to prevent unpleasant odours or keep a cup of baking soda to absorb them.
- Defrost your freezer when the frost seems about a quarter inch thick.
- Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to one quarter of warm water and wash the insides of the freezer. Wipe with a dry cloth. (Opt for these handy wipe cloths.)
- Avoid keeping your freezer in your garage on outside on your porch. It will damage the cooling system.
Ovens
- Use a commercial oven cleaner to regularly clean your oven. Otherwise, grease can catch fire, and the thermostat might start malfunctioning. Don’t spray cleaning products near a hot oven.
- Don’t let your oven become excessively soiled. Before you start cleaning, first start off with the parts around the door seal and the oven window. Don’t tamper with the gasket. Use a plastic scrubbing pad to avoid abrasion.
Cook Tops and Microwaves
- If you have a glass ceramic electric cook top, wipe it with a clean damp sponge after every use. This will prevent food residue from accumulating and hardening on it. You can also use a special cook top cleaning cream to make it shine and look new.
- For gas cook tops, use warm soapy water to clean drip pans, burner caps and grates. Wipe with a non-abrasive plastic scrub pad.
- Microwaves should be cleaned after every use ideally. Wipe the interiors, frame and door seal with a soapy sponge. Then rinse and dry.
- To remove microwave odours, add sufficient amounts of baking soda to a microwave-safe cup of water. Place it inside the machine and turn the temperature high for about 5 minutes.
Dishwashers and Food-waste Disposers
- Clean your dishwasher filter regularly as per your manufacturer’s manual.
- Set the water heater to at least 120⁰F so that the dishes are cleaned properly.
- Whenever you use your food-waste disposer, run adequate amounts of cold water, to ensure effective washing. This way, no food waste will remain clogged in the machine or harm the plumbing.
- Lemon or orange rinds can be crushed in the food-waste disposer to give it a fresh clean fragrance. Remember to run it through cold water after that.
- Use a long brush and hot soapy water to clean the rubber splash guard of the disposer every now and then.
- Avoid pouring grease into the disposer at all cost. It can become solid and clog the plumbing.
Small appliances:
Electric Coffeemaker
- Coffeemakers tend to suffer from hard water mineral deposits. This not only makes the machine inefficient, but also makes the coffee taste unpleasant. To clean the brewing system, run a pot of white vinegar through the cycle. Rinse twice with pots of fresh water.
Blender
- Remember that blenders work most effectively when they are two-thirds full. You should also follow chopping or blending instructions with care.
- To clean, fill half of the blender jar with water and dishwashing liquid. Then secure the lid and blend at low speed for a few seconds. (Take your pic from these dishwashing liquids)
Electric can opener
- It is advisable to wipe the electric can opener after every use. If any food remains on the cutting blade, it can lead to bacterial growth. Check your manufacturer’s manual to see if you can immerse the blades in water. If not, then use a soapy sponge to scrub the cutter. (You can opt for this no-scratch sponge)
Toaster oven
- To keep the risk of fires at bay, clean the crumb tray every now and then. If there are any crumbs left on the bottom, it might hamper the functioning of the thermostat. Your bread might not get toasted properly, as a result.
So you see how simple homemade hacks can help you enhance the longevity of your kitchen appliances. Following the above tips will not only make your life easy and prevent unnecessary expenses, but it will also make your kitchen look clean and attractive. Also, get your major appliances serviced every year to maintain their efficiency.