One of the more helpful tips on cleaning out your kitchen is how to clean small and medium appliances correctly. Yes, you can still use the dishwasher for some of the non-electronic parts. Here’s our guide on cleaning small appliances correctly.
”For me, how an appliance looks is as important as how efficiently it works.” - Pranav Mistry
Blender
For most small blenders, they open at the bottom and allow you to easily take out and clean the moving parts without having to submerge the electrical parts in water. You can actually retain the sharpness of the blades by avoiding a dishwasher and washing them by hand.
To expedite this process:
Simply pour in one part baking soda and two parts water and let it sit for an hour. You don’t need any fancy kitchen deep cleaning products.
Here’s a short list of appliances that you probably can run in the dishwasher, but it’s best to wash by hand:
- Slow cooker
- Food processor
- Coffee grinder
- Mixer
- Electric can opener
Coffee Maker
The coffee maker rarely seems to get a break in its lifespan. So give it a good cleaning every now and then. Fortunately if you have a drip coffee maker or a k-cup dispenser, the directions are nearly identical. For drip machines, run the unit with a mixture of vinegar and water. If it’s a k-cup, just take out the dispensary parts and let them soak overnight in the same solution.
Garbage Disposal
When you want that “deep clean kitchen sink” feeling, it helps to clean out the garbage disposal. While most model have a “self-clean” feature, it’s good to know what to put down there and what to avoid. Remember that the blades and gears love having vinegar, citrus peels, and ice cubes poured down, while you should refrain from the following materials going down the sink.
- Glass
- Wood
- Paper
- Plastic
- Corn husks
- Caustic drain cleaners
- Artichokes
Did you know that the cost of hiring a appliance repair specialist ranges based on where you live? For example, in Long Beach, CA, it can cost an average of $283 while in Detroit, MI it can cost an average of $287. Want a more accurate estimate for free? Get in touch with a local repairman near your location!
Toaster
One of our more sought-after entries on the kitchen cleaning guide. Step #1 is to unplug the toaster. It may sound obvious, but too many preventable fires have been started by the toaster that was still on. Next, simply turn the toaster upside-down over your sink or garbage and gently tilt it to get those crumbs out. Don’t actually “shake” the toaster, just gently tilt it back and forth to expel the loose debris. If it has a crumb tray, remove that and clean it too. Then wipe the exterior with a mild dishwashing soap.
Microwave
Amazingly all you need to clean your microwave is a lemon, some water, a pyrex container, and a rag. Trust us, this works. Put the cut lemon in the pyrex, fill that with water, and microwave it until it boils. Then use the condensation to wipe away the stains from inside the microwave. It’s literally “easy peasy lemon squeezy.”
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