Home and kitchen appliances are constantly working to keep your household running smoothly. They are also a significant investment, so you want them to outperform over time. Cleaning and maintaining your appliances properly is one of the best methods to extend their lives and save money on electricity.
Why you should clean your home and kitchen appliances on a regular basis
While regular appliance maintenance may not be at the top of your priority list, you may be surprised to learn that there are two advantages to cleaning your home and kitchen appliances.
The main benefit of a well-maintained appliance, whether it's a washing machine or a refrigerator, is that it will last longer without the need for repairs or replacement. This is due to the fact that a well-oiled machine nearly always operates more smoothly, allowing you to extend the life of your appliance.
Aside from longevity, good appliance cleaning can improve energy efficiency for washers and dryers, as well as food safety for refrigerators, microwaves, and ovens.
Cleaning personnel Merry Maids has shed more light on why it's critical to keep your cooking and food storage appliances in good working order.
"For food-storage appliances like deep freezers and refrigerators, one of the main benefits of cleaning is to ensure your food stays fresh," they write. "A dirty environment can encourage germs and bacteria to grow on or around your food, causing severe health problems when consumed."
Merry Maids recommends that maintenance be performed on your home and kitchen appliances to keep them working efficiently.
Cleaning and maintenance advice for home and kitchen appliances
When it comes to appliance maintenance, the how always follows after the why. It takes more than just intention to clean your home and kitchen appliances, and some elbow grease may be required in some circumstances.
The most important thing to remember while cleaning home and kitchen appliances is to turn them off for safety.
Cleaning professionals According to Merry Maids, knowing how to clean is one thing, but knowing how to clean well is quite another.
"Hot/warm water will become your best friend when cleaning any appliance." Don't underestimate the power of plain water and a little elbow grease when it comes to gently cleaning equipment, especially stainless-steel home and kitchen appliances."
Merry Maids also provides some additional appliance-specific cleaning instructions for your refrigerator, oven, clothes washer and dryer, dishwasher, and microwave.
Cleaning your refrigerator and freezer
Let's face it: hiring a fridge repairman is inconvenient, and spending your money on a damaged fridge seal is much more so. The good news is that with a little fridge care, you can postpone that dreaded phone call for a little while longer.
Cleaning services Merry Maids recommend a careful technique when cleaning stainless steel, white refrigerators, or freezers.
"Inside and out, clean every nook and cranny of your refrigerator, including the rubber seals." "To remove odors, use a gentle cleaner like baking soda and warm water, and soak any removable shelves in hot/warm soapy water," they recommend.
How to Clean an Oven
Ovens are sometimes the oldest home and kitchen appliances in a house. They typically last between 13 and 15 years, but this might vary depending on how frequently they are worn.
Cleaning your oven as you go is the best way to go, especially if you see baked-on food grease or oven smoking. As a general rule, clean your oven once a month if it's used frequently, or once in a while if it's mostly off.
To answer the question, consider your oven in three parts: the oven racks, the inner surfaces, and the oven door glass.
Cleaning oven racks is made simple by using a trash bag or a bathtub. The answer is to soak your racks in hot, soapy water overnight, or spray a degreaser on them and place them in a garbage bag for a few hours. Simply wipe away the residue with a cloth after soaking.
A DIY cleaning mixture comprised of baking soda and water will be your finest tool for cleaning the inside surfaces. Scrub the sides of the oven with the paste, then wipe away the residue with warm water and vinegar with a cloth. To avoid causing harm to your equipment, continue these procedures without vigorous scrubbing while considering how to clean oven door glass.
Cleaning your washing machine and dryer
They're large, expensive, and hefty. Repairing or even replacing a washing machine or dryer is not going to be easy, so you should attempt to keep them in good working order to extend their lives.
Cleaning your washer or dryer on a regular basis will help it work more smoothly, but how do you clean a cleaning appliance? Here's what Merry Maids' experts had to say: "Once a month, set your washing machine to the hottest water cycle, add 1/2 cup of baking soda, and run it normally (without the clothes)." Baking soda will freshen and eliminate any scents while also cleaning your washing machine for improved future performance."
How to clean a top load washing machine differs from how to clean a front load washing machine, with top loaders necessitating a few extra procedures. Consider adding a few cups of bleach to your empty load before the baking soda rinse and soaking it for at least an hour.
Merry Maids has also shared some tips on how to clean your dryer and prevent waxy build-up.
"Limit using dryer sheets and fabric softeners as they can leave residue on your dryer's walls and clog the lint trap," they advise. "Wipe down the inside of your dryer with a microfiber cloth or damp sponge containing baking soda and allow to air dry."
Cleaning your dishwasher
Unlike some other home and kitchen appliances, which can go a long between cleanings, a filthy dishwasher means unclean dishes, thereby leaving it worthless. According to cleaning services Merry Maids, your first step in cleaning your dishwasher is preventive, which includes checking your dishwasher after each usage.
"Make it a habit to pull out the bottom rack after each dishwashing cycle and look for any small bits of food." "You don't want stuck-on food mold causing an unsanitary environment inside your dishwasher," they advise.
You should also clean your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda at least once a month. To descale and unclog your machine, run separate hot washes with a cup of each.
If it still isn't draining after that, you should clean your dishwasher filter before scheduling dishwasher repairs. Remove the filter and run it under the hot water faucet. After that, gently remove any old residue with an old toothbrush or speciality brush.
How to clean your microwave
You've probably observed how quickly a built-in or countertop microwave can become filthy. Cleaning a microwave is best done with vinegar or lemon, both of which have degreasing and odor-removing characteristics. Merry Maids' cleaning experts have made it simple to get your elbows filthy with a few simple steps.
"Avoid using harsh chemicals or spraying anything inside your microwave." Instead, put 1/3 cup of water and a tablespoon of white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes. "Instead of water and vinegar, you can use a lemon," they suggest.
"After the appliance has been turned off, carefully remove the bowl and thoroughly clean the inside."
Remember to clean the outside with a towel and diluted vinegar or another cleaning substance.
How to Avoid Common Cleaning Mistakes
Mistakes are unavoidable when you learn how to properly care for your equipment. We've revealed some of the most common cleaning blunders so you know what NOT to do.
Using abrasive materials
There's a popular idea that getting things really clean requires a lot of effort, but nine times out of ten, that's simply not the case. In fact, our friends at Merry Maids warn that using scratchy cleaning sponges or brushes risks harming your device.
"Using abrasive cleaning tools to remove food stains and scratch the appliance's surface is a common mistake people make when cleaning home and kitchen appliances."
"It's always a good idea to allow cleaning products to soak on stuck-on stains so you don't have to exert a lot of unnecessary energy scrubbing or potentially damaging your appliance," they advise.
Using strong chemicals
Harsh chemical products, such abrasive brushes, can harm your home and kitchen appliances. What's more, these goods can create toxic fumes, which can be harmful to one's health.
Using non-toxic DIY cleaning chemicals, according to Merry Maids' cleaning experts, can not only safeguard your home and kitchen appliances but also your health.
"Many people neglect baking soda as a natural cleaning product. They claim that "baking soda can easily remove stains and odors and leave surfaces and fabrics completely clean without compromising health or air quality."
White vinegar is another safe cleaning agent that may be used in a variety of places, including the refrigerator, microwave, and washing machine.
"When you mix baking soda and white vinegar, you get a holistic powerhouse cleaner that gently removes stains from home and kitchen appliances and also helps unclog drains, remove hard water stains, and spot-clean carpets," cleaning specialists Merry Maids explain.
Cleaning on a regular basis
Cleaning is a chore for most people, so it's understandable that they ignore it until it becomes inevitable. However, if you habitually let stains and residue to accumulate on your appliances before cleaning them, you may be limiting their life without you realizing it.
Cleaning frequency is determined by both the appliance and the frequency with which it is used. Merry Maids cleaning services recommend performing a sensory sweep before and after each use to ensure there are no bad odors or ugly stains.
"If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your microwave, the evidence is probably staring at you in the form of food residue and stains stuck to inside walls and the glass microwave plate," they add. You should instantly clean this frequently used appliance."
Refrigerators and freezers, according to experts, can be left for a bit longer.
"Your refrigerator and freezers can be deep cleaned less frequently (if you're in the weekly habit of ensuring there are no food spills inside) to once every 3 months," they advise.
When it comes to repairing or replacing your appliances
If you've cleaned the dishwasher filter and dusted the refrigerator coils but are still having problems with your appliances, it's time to call a professional. Even a few extra years of use from a piece of equipment can save you money and give you time to shop for and plan for a replacement.
And, because it's not always clear when an appliance needs to be replaced or serviced, American Home Shield® is here to assist. The qualified contractor assigned to your Home Warranty will diagnose your problems and advise you on the best next steps. You may relax knowing that an Appliance Plan will cover you whether you fix or replace your appliance.
When it comes to repairing or replacing your appliances
If you've cleaned the dishwasher filter and dusted the refrigerator coils but are still having problems with your appliances, it's time to call a professional. Even a few extra years of use from a piece of equipment can save you money and give you time to shop for and plan for a replacement.
And, because it's not always clear when an appliance needs to be replaced or serviced, American Home Shield® is here to assist. The qualified contractor assigned to your Home Warranty will diagnose your problems and advise you on the best next steps. You may relax knowing that an Appliance Plan will cover you whether you fix or replace your appliance.
