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Newsletters>
How to Clean Small Appliances
April 11, 2007
It's tough to find a kitchen these days that doesn't make
use of at least a few small appliances. Things like
toasters, microwave ovens, blenders, and coffee makers are
almost as standard as stoves and refrigerators. These
appliances are certainly time savers, but don't forget that
they need regular cleaning just like the larger ones do.
General Small Appliance Cleaning Tips
Always unplug the appliance before cleaning it, and never
immerse the base of the appliance in water. Avoid spraying
cleaning solutions or water directly onto the appliance;
instead, spray a soft cloth with the cleaner and scrub the
appliance with the cloth.
Stainless steel, plastic, and glass products may be cleaned
with commercial multi-purpose household cleaners. Avoid
using ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, bleach, or any acidic
cleaners on stainless steel or aluminum, as it will cause a
reaction.
Microwave Ovens
Remove the inside plate and spinner if possible, and clean
in hot soapy water. Wipe the outside of the microwave just
as you would the oven or fridge, without spraying the
cleaner directly onto or inside the oven.
If you have stubborn dried food or a bad smell in your
oven, you can loosen it up quite easily before cleaning.
Simply mix one cup of water with at least two tablespoons
of lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl or cup. Heat the
water and lemon on high power for two minutes. This creates
steam, which loosens the dried food, and the lemon will
deodorize the oven. Remove the water and clean the inside
of the microwave as usual.
Blenders, Mixers, and Food Processors
Check the manufacturers instructions before putting any
parts of your blender, mixer, or food processor in the
dishwasher. If the dishwasher proves unsafe for these
parts, clean them in hot soapy water, rinse, and allow to
air dry. Wash the blades carefully, as they are very sharp.
The base of these appliances can be cleaned with a soft
cloth lightly sprayed with household cleaner. Clean the
base immediately after use so that any spills won't have
time to dry and become difficult to remove. For tough
stains or stuck-on bits of food, use a scrub brush to
spot-clean the appliance.
Coffee Makers
Minerals can build up inside a coffee maker, causing clogs
and leaving a bad taste in your coffee. You can easily
remove these scales by running a mixture of equal parts
water and white vinegar through the coffee pot. After the
vinegar mixture has finished "brewing", run the coffee
maker again at least two times to rinse it out.
All of the removable parts of your coffee maker should be
cleaned in hot soapy water after every use, or run through
the dishwasher if the manufacturer's instructions allow. If
your coffee pot has a build up or stains on it, dissolve
two denture cleaning tablets inside it in warm water. Allow
the dissolved tablets to sit on the water for at least an
hour, then rinse thoroughly and clean as usual.
Toasters and Toaster Ovens
Remove the crumb tray from the toaster or toaster oven, and
brush off any crumbs. Scrub any burnt pieces off with a
damp scrub brush. Clean the tray when necessary in hot
soapy water, and allow it to air dry completely before
returning it to the appliance. The outside of the toaster
or toaster oven can be cleaned the same way you'd clean any
other appliance surface. Never use an oven cleaner to clean
the inside of a toaster oven.
Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposal units generally require little attention,
as they are self-cleaning. Ensure that you flush all of the
garbage out of the system after each use, and never grind
anything that isn't meant for the disposal. Check your
owner's manual if you're unsure about what can go down the
disposal.
To kill any unpleasant odors emanating from your garbage
disposal, peel a few oranges, limes, lemons, or any citrus
fruits and run them through the disposal. The citrus oil
will clean and disinfect the garbage disposal and keep
things smelling fresh.
Waffle Irons and Indoor Grills
Waffle irons and indoor grills need little maintenance.
Simply wipe surfaces clean with a damp cloth after use, but
make sure the appliance has been unplugged and allowed to
cool before cleaning. For dried on food or other stains,
use a damp scrub brush and gently scour the surface of the
appliance.
Small appliances don't require a lot of work to keep clean,
but you'll notice that they last a lot longer and perform
even better when they're free of dust, grime, and dried
food. They'll look better, too!
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