TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES CLEAN!
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES CLEAN!
It’s safe to say the Kitchen is one of the busiest rooms of the house and keeping it clean and tidy can be a challenge. Though cleaning your kitchen will normally consist of doing dirty dishes and clearing your counter tops, it is essential to remember that your kitchen appliances also require a regular and thorough cleaning to keep them working well and prolong usage. Both your large and small appliances can get greasy and grimy over time, but cleaning them doesn’t have to take all day or need fancy cleaning products, In fact, many ingredients required may already be available in your kitchen!
STOVE TOPS & OVENS
Though some ovens provide a self-cleaning option, this high-temp oven setting is not ideal as its known to set off fire alarms and can leave your kitchen with a funky smell. Instead, here is safe and simple tip you can use. Fill up a spray bottle with a homemade solution of 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup white vinegar or mix water with baking soda. You can also mix the solution in a bowl for application if a spray bottle is not available. Note that baking soda has odor absorbing properties and its abrasiveness is good for stain removal, vinegar also works similarly. Wipe down the inside with the solution, making sure to avoid the heating elements. Close the door and leave to settle, letting the solution work its magic for up to 12 hours (Defy.co.za) ideally this can be done overnight and when you wake up, clean the oven with soapy water and dry using a cloth and marvel at the results. The same solution can be applied to clean the stove top, just sprinkle some baking soda around the plates with the soda water mixture, leave for hours and wipe down. For gas stoves, remove grates if possible before wiping down and be sure to avoid any liquid dripping into the ignition area. Another trick that is highly effected for cleaning stove tops, cooker hoods or any oily surfaces is with oil. Yes, you read correctly! Just add a few drops of vegetable or mineral oil to a cloth or paper towel, wipe the surface down. Take another clean paper towel and clean all the surfaces until all that’s left is a clean and shiny surface.
MICROWAVES
Microwaves are fairly easy to clean with a quick wipe down with soapy water, however this simple method will help eliminate any odors too. Just place a coffee mug or bowl filled with water and a few slices of lemon or lemon juice in the center of the microwave and run the machine on high power for three minutes. Vinegar can also be used in place of lemon. Let the lemon or vinegar water sit inside for three 
more minutes. The steam will soften food spills, and the lemon aroma will eliminate odors leaving your microwave smelling fresh.
KETTLES
It is very important to regularly clean appliances in your home that use water, especially if you live in an area with Lime scale and other mineral deposits that can build up inside your appliances over time affecting their performance and even shortening their lifespan. This is especially true for appliances that see daily use, such as electric kettles. A simple and quick way to clean your kettle is by filling your kettle 1/2 full with equal parts water and white vinegar. Bring the kettle to a boil, allow the kettle to turn off automatically when it reaches the maximum set temperature and allow the water and vinegar mixture to sit in the kettle for 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the water and vinegar after use and you will have a clean and fresh kettle ready for use.
BLENDERS, MIXERS AND FOOD PROCESSORS
In order to thoroughly clean a blender or food processor, the first thing you’ll need to do is pop off the blades and any other removable parts. Soak them in a sink filled with warm water and dish-washing liquid to avoid any risk in cleaning the blades. A nylon brush can also be used to scrub the blades. Hand wash the blender jag and the food-processor bowl using warm, soapy water or wash them on the top rack of the dishwasher. Dry the pieces thoroughly and to prevent rust, dry the blades with a clean towel or cloth.
TOASTERS
Small kitchen appliances normally prove problematic when cleaning, normally due to the small spaces in which debris can fall. Your first step should always be to unplug your toaster. Then, locate the crumb tray, though a lot of people do not know that this actually exists. Look for a raised edge or lip toward one side of the toaster, it normally requires one to hook a finger under it and pull it out. You should be able to fully remove it, empty it in the garbage as this is where all the crumbs fall. Rinse it in the sink and dry thoroughly before replacing. Do this at least once a week to keep it from storing too much residue. Any leftover debris in the toaster can simply be shaken out by giving it a quick upside-down turn and shake.
Hopefully, these tips will help keep your kitchen appliances clean and guarantee you their longer lifespan. In case you need any new kitchen appliances, check out our range of items by clicking the link below!
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