Cleaning a kitchen can be overwhelming. Sure, you have the floors and the countertops to contend with, but what about the appliances? These make up a huge part of your kitchen and, unfortunately, they take the brunt of almost everything you do in there. So, when it comes time to clean your kitchen, you are going to want to make sure you clean your appliances.

This entire process does not have to be a chore. In fact, it can be rather refreshing – get rid of the dirt and leave behind a beautiful shine. The end factor is always worth it.

To help you get started on this rewarding feat, we decided to break down kitchen appliance cleaning for you – step by step.

Clean the dishwasher (5 steps)

Your dishwasher is filled with your dirty, grimy leftover dishes, pots, and pans. You insert them into this machine on a daily basis. It is for this reason alone that you should want to clean your dishwasher.

Here’s how to clean the dishwasher:

• Remove the racks from your dishwasher and set them aside.
• Fill your detergent slot with white vinegar and run it on empty. This will help remove lime deposits and other build-ups.
• Clean your fan slats to remove dust build-up.
• Wipe down the inside walls with soap and water.
• Wipe down the outside of the dishwasher with soap and water.

Cleaning the refrigerator (5 steps)

In and out and in and out. This is what happens with your refrigerator so often throughout the day. And even more often if you have a large family. This leads to spills, drips, fingerprints, and so forth in and on the appliance. A quick clean up will have it looking brand new in no time. And, it will remove odors and outdated food, leaving your refrigerator clean and organized.

• Remove old leftovers and outdated food that is found in your refrigerator.
• Pull everything else out of the refrigerator and set it aside.
• Look for spills and leaks. Scrub those that you find with a combination of vinegar and water (or dish soap and water). These are both safe to use around food. Avoid using any chemical cleaners – especially those with strong scents.
• Return all of the food to the refrigerator and organize it neatly.
• Wipe down the outside of the refrigerator with dish soap and warm water. Be sure to get the handles of the door as this area tends to see a lot of dirt and germs.

When you are finished, consider carefully pulling out your refrigerator and cleaning underneath and behind it. You may be surprised at how awfully dirty this becomes.

Cleaning the stove (5 steps)

Maybe you cook on it a lot, maybe you don’t. But, having a dirty stove top can make your whole kitchen look less than eye-pleasing. Boiling pots can overflow and stick, dropped food bakes onto the stove top, food drips into the burners, etc. Don’t settle for a dirty stove top. Follow these simple steps to get it looking like new.

• Remove grates from your stovetop, as well as the drip pans, and place them in a sink of hot, soapy water with a splash or two of baking soda. Let them soak for a couple of hours.
• Scrub the stove top with soap and water or vinegar and water.
• For foods that are crusty and baked on, use baking soda and hot water to remove.
• If you have a glass cooktop, invest in a good glass cooktop cleaner and follow the directions to clean.
• Use your vacuum attachment to suck up loose crumbs in between the range and the countertops.

Cleaning the oven (4 steps)

Many ovens come with a self-cleaning feature. You can follow your instruction manual on how to operate the oven in this mode. This is the best way to fully clean your oven. However, there are spaces that self-cleaning oven features don’t fix. For these areas, use a cloth with a mixture of water and white vinegar or soap.

• For stuck on debris, use a sponge with hot water and baking soda.
• Remove the racks and wash them by hand if needed.
• Wipe down the exterior of the oven with soap and water. If your oven is stainless steel, be sure to go with the grain.
• Harsh oven cleaners are available on the market but are not needed unless the above methods don’t work. If you do use them, be sure to open a window and have plenty of ventilation.

Cleaning the microwave (4 steps)

Your microwave is perhaps the easiest appliance in your kitchen to clean. Many people try to scrub and scrape to get all the splattered, stuck food off the base, sides, and even top of the inside of a microwave.

Here are four easy steps to clean your microwave:

• Place a mug with water in the microwave.
• Run the microwave for 1 minute, 30 seconds or longer (the goal is to bring the water to a boil)
• After, let the mug sit with the door closed for a few minutes
• Use a kitchen glove to remove the mug and wipe the interior of the microwave with a towel.

The steam from the boiling water will loosen remnants of food prepared in the microwave. Once loose, all you need to do is give it a wipe. Just be sure to wear gloves when removing the mug, as some mugs may become too hot to hold when containing boiling water.

Conclusion

Your kitchen is where you cook your meals and spend your time. You want it to be clean and free of germs and debris. Clean up messes as you go – and spend some time doing a deep clean every now and then. This will keep your appliances healthy and happy.