Learn the smart ways to tackle tough-to-clean appliances in your kitchen.
Fortunately, the pristine kitchen of your dreams isnt far away.
Cleaning appliances takes only a bit of work and a little know-how.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Here’s how to do it the easy way.
Prep and Apply Cleaning Solution
Mix together equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
Keep this food-safe cleaner in the refrigerator (with a label).
Credit: John Granen
Spray and wipe up spills as they occur.
Remove the drawers and shelves to clean all the hidden surfaces and the door gasket.
Refrigerators also benefit from anorganization makeoverto bring order and eliminate clutter.
In fact, you should be cleaning your dishwasher just as often as your shower or sink.
Prepare Dishwasher
Fill a dishwasher-safe cup with vinegar.
Place the cup on the top rack of the empty dishwasher.
Run Dishwasher
fire off the dishwasher on the hottest, longest cycle.
This will sanitize and loosen food and soap scum.
Use a soft toothbrush to clean the spray arm and remove any debris caught in the sprayers.
Credit: John Granen
All that buildup isn’t pleasant to look at or cook with.
The good news is that knowinghow to clean a microwaveis a quick study and simpler than you may think.
Fill Bowl and Heat
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and place it in the microwave.
Heat, uncovered until the water starts to boil.
But even if splatters sit for a day or two, there’s still hope.
Here’s how to clean a stove top and get your cooktop back to sparkling.
Clean as You Go
The key tocleaning your stove topis to be quick.
Before the food bits cook onto the surface, be sure to scrub them away.
(Carefully, of course, so you don’t burn yourself.)
Wipe the cooktop clean.
The good news is that cleaning an oven is a cinch to master.
Prep Oven
Heat the oven to 225 degrees.
Place a pan of water in the oven and let sit for 15 minutes.
Turn off the oven.
Scrub Oven
Let the water cool and mix with dishwashing soap.
Dip a sponge in the mixture and scrub the inside of the oven.
To target tough spots,read these tips for oven cleaning.
), but if you have stainless-steel appliances, you know it’s eventually a must.
Water spots, fingerprints, and smudges are so distracting in the kitchen, and they build up fast.
Before they drive you bonkers, here’show to clean stainless-steel appliancesand wipe away those marksincluding dark water stains.
Clean Water Spots
Bring distilled white vinegar to a boil.
Lay a vinegar-soaked towel on the water spot for 30 minutes.
Sponge with baking soda and scrub with the grain.
Wipe clean and dry.
Clean Fingerprints
Wipe with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol.
Add Extra Shine
Rub the surface with a soft cloth and a few drops of lemon oil.
Learning how toclean your washing machineshould be on your to-do list.
Wipe down the exterior of your washing machine regularly and give the inside an in-depth clean every six months.
Run another cycle (hottest and longest again) without vinegar or detergent.
You’ll find specialty dryer brushes at home centers that bend to get into the trap compartment.
And while they may take up less space, they still attract their fair share of grime.
Give small appliances a wipe-down after you use them and do a more in-depth cleaning from time to time.
How often depends on the frequency of use.
And see to it the appliance is unplugged during your cleaning session.
