Tips for Cleaning Appliances at Home

Most people notice when they need to wipe up some spilled milk, but it’s better not to wait until the dishwasher refuses to drain before breaking out the mop and bucket. Cleaning is a form of preventive maintenance that not only makes your home safer and healthier for all its inhabitants but extends the life of your appliances.

So whether you’re here as a first-time homeowner or trying to tackle a spring cleaning checklist, we have some tips for cleaning appliances at home.

Cleaning Appliance List 

There’s a seemingly exhaustless list of appliances, from the glaringly obvious to the hidden wonders of our home. Some you use every day while others are lucky to see the light of day once a year, but what they all have in common is they need regular cleaning to prevent the spread of germs and equipment failure.

So to hit everything used to cook and prepare food as well as clean and tidy, we present you with a list of kitchen appliances that you should deep clean at least every four months so whether they are in sight or out of sight, they can stay well out of mind:

Kitchen 

• Refrigerator and freezer
• Oven 
• Stovetop 
• Microwave 
• Dishwasher 
• Coffee maker 
• Kettle
• Toaster 
• Blender 
• Rice cooker 
• Bread maker
• Juicer 
• Grill 
• Hand mixer 
• Air fryer 
• Garbage disposal 

Air 

• Air conditioner and heater
• Air purifier 
• Air dehumidifier 
• Air humidifier 
• Fan 

Cleaning 

• Vacuum cleaner
• Washer & dryer 
• Iron 
• Carpet cleaner
• Pressure washer

How to Clean Kitchen Appliances Naturally

Natural cleaners are gaining popularity with rising awareness of environmental and health concerns posed by chemical alternatives. So you could say it’s only natural that you wouldn’t want to expose your family to the harsh chemical cleaners that have, up to this point, dominated how we approached home hygiene. With many households facing the crunch of inflation, it’s also an area where you can save a few pennies, too.

Types of Natural Cleaners

• Vinegar – Vinegar’s high acidity endows it with antimicrobial and grime-busting properties, making it the jack of all trades of cleaners. However, that doesn’t mean you can point the spray bottle at just any surface. Never use vinegar cleaning solutions on stone, screens and grout.
• Baking soda – Baking soda is ideal for cleaning the interior of appliances, like the fridge and dishwasher. However, you shouldn’t use it to clean stainless steel surfaces because its abrasive texture could scratch the metal. Combining vinegar and baking soda for double the cleaning power is a common misnomer in household disinfectants and shouldn’t be done. Vinegar is acidic, while baking soda is basic, so mixing them together will effectively cancel the other out, and all you'll be left with is a mildly foaming solution with no real cleaning merit.
• Lemon juice – Lemon juice is another highly acidic cleaner, lending it those antibacterial and antiseptic qualities that are so sought after in the home appliance cleaning sphere. But it doesn’t contain just any old acid, it contains citric acid, which serves as a natural alternative to bleach. 
• Essential oils – Essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, tea tree oil and others are enriched with bacteria, virus and fungal fighting properties.
• Hydrogen peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is another secret natural cleaner that is particularly useful for removing baked-on food in microwaves and ovens. However, you should take care when using it by wearing gloves and thoroughly rinsing surfaces, as it is harmful when ingested. And don’t mix it with vinegar. 
• Salt – Who would have thought salt has talents other than tasting good. Indeed, its absorbent, abrasive and antibacterial qualities reinvent it into a useful cleaning agent. Mixing it with vinegar can unclog drains, and salting your cutting board can absorb excess moisture, preventing bacteria from multiplying in the hairline cuts.
• UV light – That’s right, open the blinds! UV light’s high frequency damages bacteria and virus cells, effectively killing them. 

Note: You’ll want to read the manufacturer’s manual before using any of these cleaners on your appliance, as certain cleaners or methods of cleaning can void your warranty.

What Is the Best Thing to Clean Appliances With 

The best thing you could clean an appliance with is soap and water. Unlike vinegar, its mild solution isn’t highly acidic, which can corrode finishes on metal and wear down rubber components like gaskets, making it the best all-purpose cleaner for appliances. 

What Is the Best Way to Clean the Outside of Appliances 

You might wonder why the appliance's color changes how you’re supposed to clean it. Actually, the importance isn’t so much with the color, as much as it is the material. And chances are, you most likely have at least two different types of appliance exteriors to clean and polish. 

For example, maybe your fridge and dishwasher have matching white finishes, but your toaster sports a stainless steel exterior. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips for cleaning appliances at home.

How to Clean Stainless Steel or Black Appliances 

As previously stated, you don’t want to use vinegar on stainless steel because its acidity can corrode the metal over time, causing pitting and rust. That’s why you’ll want to stick with a commercial stainless steel cleaner or a solution of one part isopropyl rubbing alcohol and one part water.

• Step 1. Spray your cleaning solution onto a microfiber cloth – Spray either the commercial stainless steel cleaner or rubbing alcohol solution directly onto a microfiber cloth. This method of spraying not only protects internal components, like a toaster’s interior, but reduces the number of airborne particles that could get into and irritate your respiratory tract.
• Step 2. Rub with the grain – It’s especially important to wipe with the grain on stainless steel appliances to prevent scratching. 
  • Note: Never use the abrasive side of sponges or rough cloths to clean stainless steel, for this can scratch the metal.

How to Clean White Appliances 

Because lemon juice is nature’s bleach, the best way to clean white appliances is to whip up a batch of one part lemon juice to two parts white vinegar in a spray bottle. You can also soak a dishrag directly in a bowl of lemon juice to then scrub away at smudges and streaks. 

How to Clean Under Appliances

You might be sizing up your fridge, thinking, “How on earth will I ever capture the dust bunnies?” The same goes for stoves, ovens, washers and dryers. They’re big, cumbersome and definitely have the behemoth to throw out your back. To avoid this, we’ve come up with some tips for cleaning appliances at home:

• Appliance slides – For larger appliances like fridges and washers, they often come on slides or rollers, so it’s as easy as pulling them out, quickly sweeping and mopping, and pushing them back into their nook and cranny. However, if you discover your appliance is not built with this feature, you can always buy a pair of slides to compensate. Just ensure you have a second body on the job with you for safety.
• Flat vacuum attachment – Another method of cleaning underneath an appliance is to buy a flat vacuum attachment. The longer, the better. 
• Long-handled duster – Any flexible tool will do, such as dryer vent brushes. Additionally, you can attach a damp cloth to the end of a thin stick. It’s okay to get creative here. But if you don’t, you can always go to the store and pick up a duster with an extended handle. 

Note: Before cleaning underneath an appliance, always unplug it first and make sure the area is completely dry before returning it to its place.