Considering the money invested in them, appliances deserve a thorough scrubbing on a regular basis. In addition to giving you the satisfaction of knowing they’re spanking-clean inside and out, your good work can optimize their performance and even extend their lives.

Microwave

Clean spills and deodorize with this routine from San Francisco Chronicle cleaning columnist Tara Aronson.

Step 1: Fill a coffee mug with water and a few slices of lemon; put it in the middle of the microwave’s tray. Cook on a high setting for about three minutes, then turn off the microwave.
Step 2: Leave the mug inside for another three minutes or so. The steam will soften food spills, and the hot lemon will give that lingering pasta-sauce odor the boot once and for all.
Step 3: Open the door and take out the mug. Wipe down the walls with warm, soapy water to remove residue and food. Then rinse and dry with a clean dishcloth.

Coffeemaker

Mineral deposits slow the brewing process and may taint flavor. Here’s a natural way to flush them out.

Step 1: Empty and clean the filter. Pour two to three cups of water and the same amount of white vinegar into the water chamber, then switch on the brew cycle.
Step 2: Halfway through the cycle, turn the machine off and let the solution sit for about an hour. Switch the coffeemaker back on to complete the cycle.
Step 3: Run at least one cycle of clear water (two to be on the safe side) through the machine to rinse out any residual vinegar. Now go ahead and brew with confidence.

Refrigerator

Unplug it or turn it off before cleaning. Remove all the shelves and drawers; they get their own wash-down.

Step 1: Add two tablespoons of baking soda or dish soap to a quart of warm water and wash all inside surfaces. Rinse them with clear water and dry with a clean cloth.
Step 2: Wash the drawers and shelves in the sink with dishwashing liquid and warm water, then wipe dry. Use the same solution to clean the door gasket (the rubber bumper that seals the refrigerator shut).
Step 3: Add a tablespoon of dishwashing soap to a quart of water and disinfect the door handles with the solution. No need to rinse — the solution will dissipate on its own, taking germs with it.

Stovetop, Hood

Cooking oil and grime build up on surfaces (and in the air filter) despite weekly wipe-downs.

Step 1: Soak a gas stove’s burner grates in warm water and dishwashing liquid for five minutes. Use a soft dish brush to scrub away cooked-on food, then rinse.
Step 2: Dry grates with a clean cloth. Be especially vigilant with cast iron, which can rust if it’s not completely dry when put back in place.
Step 3: Place the hood’s air filter in the bottom rack of the dishwasher; or soak it in dish soap and hot water for at least 10 minutes, then rinse and dry. Degrease the hood with hot, soapy water, then rinse.

Oven

Missed spills bake in more stubbornly every time you don your chef’s hat. Take time out to cook or dissolve them away.

Step 1: Remove racks (and detachable steel side supports) and soak them in the sink or the tub in dish soap and warm water. Use a soft brush or a white (low-abrasion) SOS pad to remove built-up food and grit.
Step 2: If your oven is self-cleaning, activate the cleaning cycle. If not, apply oven cleaner (Easy Off was an experts’ favorite), following the label directions carefully.
Step 3: When the self-cleaning cycle is finished, use a soft cloth to sweep the ashes out of the oven. Make a final pass with a damp rag to get every last bit.