It has been considered as one of the most important rooms in the home and those with a big family will agree that the kitchen is exactly that. Parents who believe in bringing up their families in a healthier environment will spend countless hours every week trying to fine tune their recipes. But what about the appliances we use, should we be concerned about them and if so why? An appliance that is rundown is one thing, but unless we keep them clean, we are defeating the purpose of a healthier lifestyle.
When it comes to cleaning the appliances in our kitchen, we tend to agree that they look and function better after they have been wiped down.
Tip1- Microwaves do not require much more than a basic cleaning detergent, in fact, any generic glass cleaner will work just as well. Remember to remove the revolving tray, before attempting to wipe down the inside of your microwave.
Tip2- Dishwashers may not seem like they need any extra attention, after all, they are always being washed, but what about the outside? Baking soda can also be useful here.
Tip3- The next time you take a sip of your coffee and it has a less than desirable taste, it may just need to be cleaned. Plain water with vinegar (white) should be run through at least once, to remove that taste. Unless you enjoy the taste of vinegar, go ahead and run the machine (with plain water) at least twice, before using it again.
Tip4- Have you ever looked into the rear of your refrigerator and asked yourself what was in that container? It is common practice to place our leftovers in the fridge and forget about it, which is why this is probably one of the biggest challenges in the kitchen. Once a week, all expired foods should be discarded with the trash, shelves and drawers should be wiped down with baking soda and the door handles in particular should be wiped clean.
Tip5- Toaster ovens seem to challenge us in the worst way, but the bottom line is that a little ammonia left sitting inside overnight will release most of that old food that appears to be clinging on for dear life. By the time you return to it, the only thing left to do is to wipe out the crumbs and it will be as good as new.
Tip6- Most people who own garbage disposals will tell you that they are great, until they have to clean it. Yes, it is considered as a small appliance, even though it may be out of sight. Rather than end up having to deal with odors and clogged drains, how about a little maintenance? With the power turned off, fill the sink with 3 – 4 inches of water, add 1 1/2 cups of baking soda, allow to stand for about 5 minutes, then flush with a pot of boiling water.
There is a lot to be said for someone who takes a few extra minutes to wipe down the countertops before and after every meal, especially since this simple task with some basic cleaner is not that difficult. Clean appliances, coupled with the practice of regularly washing your hands, will be all the necessary steps needed to avoid food borne illnesses. So there you have it, simple steps to help maintain those valuable appliances.
Author : Vince Bradley is a kitchen appliance technician. He is specializing in stove and refrigerator repair. He likes to write and give advise about how to maintain kitchen appliance in good condition and also how to repair a broken home appliance. He is works for a ABCAuthorizedRepair in Studio City, CA.
