Clean your Machines
You should always wipe down your appliances with a sponge or damp cloth, to avoid residue and build-up. However, even if you do, your appliances will still require a more thorough cleaning and some sort of cleaning solvent. Always refer to your owner’s manual first to determine the correct cleaning procedure. If you don’t have the owner’s manual you can refer to this guide.
Toaster oven:
Remove interior racks and wash them in soapy warm water.
Wipe down the interior with a
damp cloth.
If your toaster oven is a “continuous clean” toaster oven, it will automatically
burn off food residue so don’t use anything more than a damp cloth. You can
tell if it’s continuous clean if the interior feels coarse and rough. For all other toaster ovens, you can use a bit of
mild dish soap to clean the interior.
For the exterior, use a mild non-abrasive solution, and a soft cloth or sponge. If there is burnt on food on the exterior, a degreaser like Goo Gone may help to remove some of the residues, but the staining from burnt on food may never go away. This is why it’s key to wipe your appliances down regularly.
Iron:
People used to put vinegar through their iron as a natural
home remedy. However, some manufacturers have reported that this method can
cause a brown discharge to ooze out of the holes. These days the recommended
cleaning method is to use its own steam. If there is a steam-clean setting make
sure to try that first. If there’s no steam clean method, put your iron on a
surface that won’t be damaged by heat or water, and put it on the maximum heat
setting as you allow the heat to “self-clean”. Remember to always remove the
water before you store an iron. If the iron drags as you use it, you might need
to clean the bottom plate. You can use a product like our
Iron Bottom Cleaner.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the package to avoid damaging your
iron, or burning yourself.
Coffeemaker:
You can clean the mineral build-up inside of your coffee
maker by using a commercial coffee maker cleaning solution. You can also fill
up the coffee maker with equal parts water and vinegar. Put in a paper filter,
put the pot in place, and brew a half pot of the vinegar/water solution, then
allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then brew the remaining half pot of solution.
After you’re done, brew an entire pot of just water with a brand new filter.
You may want to repeat this step a few times until the odor and taste of
vinegar are gone.
Refrigerator/Freezer:
Take out the removable parts, and soak them in the tub with
mild dish soap. You can also use a solution made up of baking soda, and warm
water. Don’t use any bleach or solutions containing ammonia because it can
stain or damage the surface.
Odors can stick to the plastic lining inside a fridge, so
the best thing you can do is remove all the contents, put them in a cooler, and unplug the refrigerator so you
can wash the interior. Use a baking soda/water solution, and a cloth to wipe it
dry. If odours still remain, use something like this
Fridge
Deodorizer and Refresherator
, which is environmentally safe and can last up
to a year.
For a freezer, use the same method illustrated above. Never
try to pry or chip off the ice as it may damage the lining. Instead, unplug the
fridge, store the food, and use a hair dryer set on low, or simply wait for the
ice to melt before you take a cloth to clean it.
Oven:
Wash oven racks in soapy water, unless it’s stated in the owner’s
manual that it’s “dishwasher safe”. To clean the interior, plug the broiler
holes with aluminum foil (make sure to remove when you’re done), and use a
solution made up of one-quarter cup of water and three-quarters of a cup of
baking soda. Mix it into a paste, and brush it onto the oven interior making
sure to avoid bare metal parts because salt corrodes metal. Let it dry
overnight, and remove the solution using a soft spatula (not metal), or use a
damp
cleaning
cloth or sponge.
Microwave Oven:
Clean interior stains with a damp cloth and warm soapy
water. If that isn’t enough use the baking soda/water solution mentioned
throughout this post. Use 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with 1 quart
of water. For any hardened food residue, microwave on high for a few minutes,
and wipe it while it’s still warm. Be careful to not burn yourself. If odours
persist, mix 6 tablespoons of baking soda with a half cup of lemon juice and
microwave in a microwave-safe dish for a few minutes. After it’s done, leave
the door open for a while.
Stove
Electric Burners: Wipe off as much as you can from the burner plates while they’re cold. For any caked-on food, open your doors and windows, turn on your exhaust fan, and turn all the burners on high while you let the food smoke itself off.
Gas Burners: It's best to wash porcelain-coated stovetop pans and grates by hand. Dishwashers and dishwasher detergent can cause rust in the gaps of chrome and porcelain.
Glass Cook-top: Glass cook-tops need to be protected from scratching. Clean them with a soft pad specially made for non-stick coatings. Wipe up spills while they’re still warm, or heat up the burners for a little bit, before wiping them. Again, be careful not to burn yourself. Maybe wear some oven mitts while you’re doing this. You can also use a commercial cooktop cleaner. Pans with aluminum or copper bottoms may also stain or discolour your cooktop, so try pans made of another material, and only use a recommended cooktop cleaner.