If we’re lucky, we keep our ovens, dishwashers, and washing machines working hard for us day in and day out. Keeping those appliances clean doesn’t just make our lives more pleasant (and less smelly) - it also helps keep those appliances working properly and lasting as long as possible. Whether you’re prepping for a major spring cleaning or are just wondering if you’ve really been cleaning your fridge correctly all this time, here’s a guide to getting your busiest home appliances squeaky clean.
What You’ll Need
Luckily, you don’t need to go out and buy any special cleaners for your dishwasher, oven, washing machine, or any other appliance. Most of what you’ll need you can probably find lying around the house. Here are some common household items you’ll want to gather for your appliance deep cleaning:
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White vinegar
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Baking soda
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Dishwashing liquid
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All-purpose cleaner
You may also want to gather some washcloths, bristled brushes or old toothbrushes, and sponges. Now to the cleaning guides!
You might be wondering why you’d need to clean something that is designed to clean things. But just like in your sink or shower, all that water and soap builds up over time, leading to mineral deposits or even mildew and mold, not to mention unpleasant smells. A dirty dishwasher may also simply not get your dishes as clean as it should. Knowing how to clean your dishwasher is an important part of a happy kitchen.
Some suggest cleaning your dishwasher every 3 to 6 months, or just any time you notice your dishes coming out less than squeaky clean.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher
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First, remove all loose parts, including the racks and filter. Scrub these by hand using a brush or old toothbrush and warm, soapy water. (You may want to let the filter soak in warm, soapy water for up to an hour before scrubbing.)
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When the racks and filter are rinsed and dried, put them back into the dishwasher.
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Place a cup or bowl of white vinegar upright in the top rack.
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Run a hot water cycle. The steam will make build-ups easier to wipe off, while the vinegar can help remove odors. (Lemon juice will have the same effect.) Tip: You can sprinkle baking soda on the base of the washer and let sit overnight before running the hot cycle. This also helps remove odors while providing an extra scrub when you wipe down the washer.
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To clean inside the door, use an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth for plastic, or a damp cloth and dishwashing liquid for stainless steel.
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Remember to always leave the dishwasher door cracked when not in use to let moisture evaporate and prevent mildew growth.
Many ovens today come with a convenient self-cleaning setting, which means cleaning your oven is as simple as checking your owner’s manual. But for a hands-on deep clean, follow the steps below.
How to Clean Your Oven
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Remove all items from inside the oven (including racks), on top of the stove, and/or in the warming drawer.
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You’ll need to clean the racks separately. The best way to clean your oven racks is in a large tub, like your bathtub, unless they fit inside your sink. Fill the tub with hot water and add a cleaning solution, such as powdered laundry detergent dissolved in hot water. Then let the racks soak for 6 to 10 hours. After they’ve soaked and you’ve cleaned the inside of the oven, wipe the racks dry and return them to the oven.
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To clean the inside of the oven, you’ll want to use dishwashing soap or a natural cleaning solution - such as one made from baking soda, vinegar, and an essential oil - on the walls, top, and base of the oven. One method is to set the oven to 225 degrees, then place a pan of water inside and let it steam for about 15 minutes. Then, once the oven is turned off and cooled, use warm soapy water to scrub the interior of the oven. Another method is to let a homemade cleaning solution sit all over the interior of the oven for several hours or overnight, then wipe clean with a wet cloth.
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To clean the oven window, use an all-purpose cleaner and a razor blade to scrape away caked-on grime.
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Cleaning the exterior usually just requires an all-purpose cleaner or, for stainless steel, warm water and dish soap. You can also try rubbing alcohol to remove spots and fingerprints from stainless steel.
Your refrigerator is one of the most hardworking appliances in your house, and since it’s literally full of food and drinks, it’s a hotspot for both regular and surprise messes. Your regular clean-outs and wipe-downs aren’t enough to keep your fridge in tip-top shape. You should give it a deep clean at least once every three or so months.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator
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Remove EVERYTHING - food of course, but also racks or shelves, drawers, and any other movable components.
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Clean shelves and drawers by hand in the sink with warm soapy water. Better Homes and Gardens suggests letting glass components warm to room temperature before placing in hot water to prevent cracking.
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To clean the interior of the fridge, you can use either a nontoxic commercial cleaner or a mixture of one part baking soda to seven parts water. This can ensure no soapy flavors set into your food later. Wipe down the entire interior with your cleaner and a cloth.
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For the exterior, use a cloth and all-purpose cleaner for plastic or other materials, and a damp microfiber cloth or rubbing alcohol for stainless steel.
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Don’t forget about the gasket. The rubber seal around your door doesn’t just keep things safe and cold inside, but it can also be a hotbed for mold and other grime. You can use warm water and dish soap or, for extreme messes or mold, a bleach-based cleaner. Better Homes and Gardens suggests sealing the gasket with petroleum jelly after cleaning to prevent it from drying out.
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The coils can collect dust and prevent your fridge from working at top capacity. Check your owner’s manual for a guide to cleaning the coils, and remember to always unplug your fridge before cleaning them.
You probably don’t need convincing that your microwave is one of the quickest things in your kitchen to need a cleaning, especially if you use it frequently. Dirty microwaves can be the source of unpleasant odors, not to mention an eyesore in an otherwise clean kitchen. Here’s how to keep yours spotless.
How to Clean Your Microwave
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First, prep the microwave for cleaning by steaming the interior. You can place a microwave-safe mug or bowl of water and some lemon slices inside, then run the microwave for 3 minutes. Let the water sit for another 3 minutes. The steam will soften the grime and build-up, while the lemon will remove odors.
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Wipe down the interior with a cloth and warm, soapy water.
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Remove the turntable and scrub the wheels with a rough brush or old toothbrush.
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To clean the exterior, you can use an all-purpose cleaner and cloth, or warm water and dish soap for stainless steel.
Yep - just like your dishwasher, your washing machine isn’t immune to getting dirty just because it cleans your clothes. Most experts recommend cleaning your washing machine at least every six months for average use, but possibly more often with heavy use.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
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You’ll want to run two consecutive long, large, hot water cycles, adding a cleaning solution directly to the drum both times in order to soften and remove mold or detergent build-up while eliminating odors. One method is to use about 2 cups of baking soda for the first cycle, then about 2 cups of white vinegar for the second. Another method is to use vinegar both times, or a mixture of vinegar and water. You can also add an essential oil, like tea tree or lavender, to help eliminate mold or mildew and gently disinfect the washing machine interior.
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After you’ve run both hot cycles, wipe down the drum and agitator with a cloth and more vinegar. You can target tougher stains or mold with a paste of baking soda and water.
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Clean the exterior and the door seal (for front-loading washers) with a cloth, water, and vinegar, or water and baking soda for tougher stains. You can use an essential oil on the seal just like on the inside of the washing machine, as an odor remover and mild disinfectant.
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Just like with your dishwasher, always keep your washing machine door open between washes to let excess moisture evaporate and prevent mildew growth.
At Howard’s, we’re dedicated to keeping your home running with top quality home appliances. Check out our blog for buying guides and maintenance tips, and don’t forget to check out our website for the best deals on home appliances.