Simple Tips to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances

It’s easy to overlook cleaning the appliances in our kitchens. That’s because cleaning them can be a chore and many of us just don’t want to deal with it. But what if we tell you, there’s a super easy way to clean them? 

Social distancing restrictions have given us more time at home on weekends. Why not spend this time productively and get you kitchen appliances sparkling clean again? 

We guarantee – you will feel a sense of satisfaction when the job’s done. The best part of it all – it’s super easy to do if you follow our amazingly simple cleaning hacks.

Oven 

When was the last time you gave the oven a good clean? If you cannot remember, then it’s time to get the gloves on and start this weekend! 

We’re not going to lie – cleaning the oven requires commitment and time. You may have to do it more than once to achieve the results you want but it is worth it. A cleaned oven is more efficient. It is less smoky when you’re making your next winter roast and you can peer through the oven door and see the cookies you are baking. Are you convinced? Read below for our simple oven cleaning hacks: 

Soak the grates

1. Take all the grates out
2. Feel the laundry tub with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
3. Soak overnight – if very dirty.
4. Remove and rinse. Use a heavy-duty scrubber or steel wool to remove stubborn stains.
5. For additional strength make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Coat grates and scrub to remove stains. 

Steam bath the oven

1. Place a large metal baking tray filled with water and ½ cup vinegar on the bottom of the oven.
2. Turn the temperature up to 200 degrees and let the water bubble. The steam will loosen stubborn grime on the walls of the oven.
3. Turn off the oven, spray the inner walls with a simple solution of water and white vinegar.
4. Close the door and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. 
5. Once cooled, you can wipe it down. Stubborn stains can be scrubbed with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)

Scrubbing with baking soda and white vinegar

1. Remove grates and wash following instructions above.
2. Make a paste of baking soda and white vinegar. The paste must be slightly runny so you can coat the inner walls of the oven.
3. Apply with an old pastry brush. Leave to dry and soak for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse carefully with a clean cloth and warm water.
5. You can use this technique to clean the oven door. For oven doors use a non-scratch microfibre cloth to prevent scratching the surfaces

Microwave

If the kids have been using the microwave during the lockdown, it will be in quite a state by now. Cleaning the microwave is super easy. We have five easy microwave cleaning hacks for you to choose from: 

Lemon

1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Put both pieces cut side down on a microwave-safe dish.
3. Microwave for one minute until the oven is covered in hot steam.
4. Wipe with a clean cloth. 

White vinegar and baking soda

1. Mix equal portions of white vinegar and baking soda in a microwaveable dish.
2. Microwave on high for one minute.
3. Leave to soak for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with a clean cloth and warm water until all traces of vinegar and baking soda is gone.

Baking soda

1. Make a paste with a little water and rub it on the turntable to remove stubborn food spills.
2. Rinse with a clean cloth and warm water. 

Dishwashing liquid

1. Put a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a bow.
2. Add some water.
3. Turn on the microwave.
4. Wipe clean. 

Fridge

If your fridge is emitting a strange odour, you know it’s time to ‘Marie Kondo’ it. Check out our simple fridge cleaning tips.

1. Take everything out of the fridge and throw all the expired food away. Expired food is dangerous to health because they can cause food contamination and poisoning. 
2. The easiest way to ‘declutter’ your fridge is a top to bottom, tray by tray approach. 
3. Use a clean soapy microfibre cloth to wipe the trays and walls of the fridge.
4. Sort and arrange items and put them back in the fridge.
5. To remove odour from the fridge, wipe the walls and trays with a simple solution of white vinegar and dishwashing liquid. 
6. You can also leave a dish of baking soda inside the fridge for 24 hours.
7. Cut lemons also work. 

Dishwasher

Ideally, your dishwasher filter and drain should be cleaned at least once a month. Calibre Cleaning has three simple hacks to clean your dishwasher: 

1. To clear the drain, remove the bottom dish rack. Wipe and remove any gunk or food caught underneath. This simple task significantly improves your dishwasher’s efficiency.
2. Put a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe container and leave it on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot water cycle. This will remove all grease, grime and nasty odours.
3. Sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a hot cycle to remove stubborn grime. 

Electric Kettle

Your electric kettlecan accumulate limescale after prolonged use. If it is caked in this white salt-like scales, it will take longer to boil. Fortunately, Calibre cleaning has three simple hacks to descale your electric kettle.

Distilled vinegar

1. 1. Fill half the kettle with equal parts distilled vinegar and water.
   2. Bring to boil and let the solution sit in the jug for 15 to 20 minutes.
   3. Drain the water. Remove any leftover limescale with a sponge.
   4. Rinse carefully.
   5. Add water and bring to the kettle to boil again. 

Citric acid

1. 1. Fill the kettle halfway with water and bring to the boil
   2. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of citric acid into the water and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
   3. Pour off the water. Scrub with a sponge if needed and rinse. 

Flat Coca Cola

1. 1. Fill the kettle ¼ to ½ way full of your leftover Coca Cola.
   2. Bring to boil.
   3. Let sit for 30 minutes
   4. Rinse. 

Our super easy kitchen appliance cleaning hacks are tried and tested by our experts. All the hacks use simple household ingredients that you will find in your pantry. For example, baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean several pieces of equipment, like your bbq and fridge. Want more simple cleaning hacks? Drop us a line and we’ll put it in our next article. Meanwhile, if you are looking for the best aluminium cleaner, you will want to read our Aluminium Cleaning Guide.

Meanwhile, should you need professional cleaners on the job, our services are available in various cities in Australia, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. End of lease cleaning services are also available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.