How to Clean Appliances

It’s that time of year again – spring cleaning time! Beyond the usual dusting, vacuuming and polishing, many of us feel the need to give our appliances a good clean, too. Unfortunately, most of us stumble on the first step – how do I properly clean my appliances?? At LoveToClean Home Cleaning Service, we’ve written these helpful tips to get you through the big appliances. If you ever need any help, we provide home cleaning services for Boston Metro West – Acton, Concord, Maynard, Sudbury and surrounding towns. Call us today at 800-785-5448.

Refrigerator

One of the most important tips for keeping your refrigerator running smoothly and cleanly is organization! If items in your fridge are overcrowded, this prevents proper circulation of cold air, which causes warm spots and contributes to rotting food. Use the designated areas of your fridge as intended – condiments on the doors, meat and cheese in the meat drawer, vegetables in the crisper and covered leftovers on the top shelf. We advise you to consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to maintain the door gasket, ice maker and condenser coils.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel appliances tend to confuse people. I mean, we didn’t grow up watching our parents clean stainless steel so many of us are not sure what to do! The good news is, it’s easier than you think! All you need is water, vinegar and olive oil. Wipe down the stainless steel appliance with microfiber or cotton cloths instead of paper towels to avoid those annoying paper fibers sticking to everything, and make sure to clean and polish with the grain of the steel, not against it. Easier than you thought, huh?

Oven

First things first, before using these methods, unplug the oven! The best way to clean the knobs is to remove them and put them in warm, soapy water. The grates in your oven can be cleaned three ways: first, try soapy water. If that doesn’t work, spray them with oven cleaner and allow them to sit inside a plastic bag overnight. Still not clean enough? Place the grates in your dishwasher and put them through a cycle. Wipe down the seal around the edge of your over (the gasket) with a soapy cloth, and use a mix of ammonia and water to loosen up any caked in junk. If your oven hasn’t been cleaned in a while and you want to avoid using oven cleaner, you can mix water and baking soda into a paste, coat the inside of your oven with the paste and leave overnight. The next day, scrub off the dried paste with a sponge and a mixture of water and white vinegar.

Microwave

Splattered food in your microwave is not only an eyesore, it can be dangerous, too. Food particles can generate sparks and damage the microwave so it’s important to clean it regularly. Funny thing is, the microwave gets to play a part in its own cleaning! Heat up a bowl of water with a bit of dishwashing liquid or white vinegar on high for one minute. Use this mixture to wipe down the inside of the microwave with a paper towel or sponge.

Dishwasher

If you use your dishwasher regularly, you’re already ahead of the game as this doesn’t give the mold and mildew a chance to build up. Make sure to check the bottom drain for scraps of food and scrub away stains and smells with a dishwasher cleaner. If you are still experiencing a nasty smell, there may be food stuck in the filter so check your owner’s manual to find out how to clean the filter.

Washing Machine

Hundreds of loads of washing, soap and standing water can cause bad smells and residue build up in your washing machine. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual if your machine has a self-clean cycle, or do an empty load with diluted bleach or white vinegar every few months. To prevent excessive build up in the first place, use the appropriate settings on your machine when it comes to load size, and try not to use too much detergent. Too much water and soap can damage your clothes and your washing machine.

Dryer

Dryers are one of the major causes of house fires in the US so it is extremely important to keep an eye on your lint filter and do a thorough cleaning of your dryer and lint filter every 6 months or so. Be sure to remove any lint from the filter after every load. You can use a lint brush or vacuum to deep clean the filter, but you may want to look into a professional dryer vent cleaning service. Using commercial tools, they can extract any built-up lint from the entirety of your dryer vent, giving you and your family peace of mind.