Cleaning Kitchen Appliances Checklist

Soak them in a sink filled with warm water and dishwashing liquid.

Or wash them on the top rack of the dishwasher.

A nylon brush should remove any particles caked onto the blades.

To prevent rust, dry the blades with a clean towel or cloth.

Never submerge them in water, which might damage the machinery of the appliances.

Soak them in warm, soapy water; rinse, then replace them.

Pour two to three cups of water and an equal amount of white vinegar into the water chamber and hit the brew button. Turn the machine off halfway through the cycle and let the solution sit inside the chamber for an hour. Then turn it back on and complete the cycle.

This ensures that you’ll rinse out any leftover vinegar before making your morning brew.

Use a cloth wet with water and dishwashing liquid.

Wipe down the interior with a cloth and warm, soapy water. Scrub the racks’ wheels (where bacteria hide) with a toothbrush.

Run an empty cycle to wipe out lime deposits. You can also dump a packet of powdered lemonade into the detergent cup and run the washer empty. The citric acid breaks up stains.

A vacuum’s brush attachment is best.

If the door is plastic, wipe it with a cloth and all-purpose cleaner. For stainless steel, dampen a cloth with water and dishwashing liquid, wring it out, and wipe the door with the grain.

Soak them in the sink in warm water and dishwashing liquid.

Scrub them with a nylon brush or a toothbrush. You can also use baking soda and water to scour the blade.

Then dry them thoroughly—especially the metal cutting wheel—with a clean cloth to avoid rust.

Never immerse the electrical base in water, which could short the fuse.

Place a coffee mug filled with water and a few slices of lemon in the center of the microwave and run the machine on high power for three minutes. Let the lemon water sit inside for three more minutes. The steam will soften food spills, and the lemon aroma will eliminate odors.

Wipe down the walls with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water.

Scrub the wheels with a toothbrush.

Wipe the exterior of plastic machines with a cloth sprayed with all-purpose cleaner, making sure to clean the fan slats. For stainless-steel machines, dip a cloth in water and dishwashing liquid, wring it out, and wipe with the grain.

Empty the crumb tray.

Let them sit in warm, soapy water, scrubbing off any charred food with a sponge or a brush.

Wipe the toaster oven’s inside with a cloth wet with water and dishwashing liquid. Dislodge burned-on food with a toothbrush or an old credit card. Reach into the slots of a regular toaster with a wet pastry brush.

Dry and replace them.

Wipe the outside with a soapy cloth, scrubbing around levers, knobs, and door hinges using a toothbrush. If the exterior is chrome, crumple a ball of aluminum foil (shiny side out) and rub off rust spots.