How to Clean Small Appliances

   It's tough to find a kitchen these days that doesn't make use of at least a few small appliances. Things like toasters, microwave ovens, blenders, and coffee makers are almost as standard as stoves and refrigerators. These appliances are certainly time savers, but don't forget that they need regular cleaning just like the larger ones do.

General Small Appliance Cleaning Tips

Always unplug the appliance before cleaning it, and never immerse the base of the appliance in water. Avoid spraying cleaning solutions or water directly onto the appliance; instead, spray a soft cloth with the cleaner and scrub the appliance with the cloth.

Stainless steel, plastic, and glass products may be cleaned with commercial multi-purpose household cleaners. Avoid using ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, bleach, or any acidic cleaners on stainless steel or aluminum, as it will cause a reaction.

Microwave Ovens

Remove the inside plate and spinner if possible, and clean in hot soapy water. Wipe the outside of the microwave just as you would the oven or fridge, without spraying the cleaner directly onto or inside the oven.

If you have stubborn dried food or a bad smell in your oven, you can loosen it up quite easily before cleaning. Simply mix one cup of water with at least two tablespoons of lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl or cup. Heat the water and lemon on high power for two minutes. This creates steam, which loosens the dried food, and the lemon will deodorize the oven. Remove the water and clean the inside of the microwave as usual.

Blenders, Mixers, and Food Processors

Check the manufacturers instructions before putting any parts of your blender, mixer, or food processor in the dishwasher. If the dishwasher proves unsafe for these parts, clean them in hot soapy water, rinse, and allow to air dry. Wash the blades carefully, as they are very sharp.

The base of these appliances can be cleaned with a soft cloth lightly sprayed with household cleaner. Clean the base immediately after use so that any spills won't have time to dry and become difficult to remove. For tough stains or stuck-on bits of food, use a scrub brush to spot-clean the appliance.

Coffee Makers

Minerals can build up inside a coffee maker, causing clogs and leaving a bad taste in your coffee. You can easily remove these scales by running a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar through the coffee pot. After the vinegar mixture has finished "brewing", run the coffee maker again at least two times to rinse it out.

All of the removable parts of your coffee maker should be cleaned in hot soapy water after every use, or run through the dishwasher if the manufacturer's instructions allow. If your coffee pot has a build up or stains on it, dissolve two denture cleaning tablets inside it in warm water. Allow the dissolved tablets to sit on the water for at least an hour, then rinse thoroughly and clean as usual.

Toasters and Toaster Ovens

Remove the crumb tray from the toaster or toaster oven, and brush off any crumbs. Scrub any burnt pieces off with a damp scrub brush. Clean the tray when necessary in hot soapy water, and allow it to air dry completely before returning it to the appliance. The outside of the toaster or toaster oven can be cleaned the same way you'd clean any other appliance surface. Never use an oven cleaner to clean the inside of a toaster oven.

Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposal units generally require little attention, as they are self-cleaning. Ensure that you flush all of the garbage out of the system after each use, and never grind anything that isn't meant for the disposal. Check your owner's manual if you're unsure about what can go down the disposal.

To kill any unpleasant odors emanating from your garbage disposal, peel a few oranges, limes, lemons, or any citrus fruits and run them through the disposal. The citrus oil will clean and disinfect the garbage disposal and keep things smelling fresh.

Waffle Irons and Indoor Grills

Waffle irons and indoor grills need little maintenance. Simply wipe surfaces clean with a damp cloth after use, but make sure the appliance has been unplugged and allowed to cool before cleaning. For dried on food or other stains, use a damp scrub brush and gently scour the surface of the appliance.

Small appliances don't require a lot of work to keep clean, but you'll notice that they last a lot longer and perform even better when they're free of dust, grime, and dried food. They'll look better, too!