August 2019
As children, we’re taught that one of the keys to keeping our toys is to make sure we take care of them. As adults, we learn that this particular piece of advice has no expiration date. With anything we buy—be it for home, for fun, or for something else—its lifespan is directly tied to the care we give it.
In this article, we’re going to drop some tips about how to best care for your kitchen appliances.
Refrigerator Cleaning TipsYou may be surprised to learn that when it comes to refrigerator maintenance, cleaning the outside is more important than cleaning the inside. Specifically, the a/c coils. The good news is this isn’t a large undertaking—just be sure to dust off the coils a couple times a year. Though we do recommend getting a refrigerator brush, since today’s fridges tend to have their condensers on the bottom of the appliance rather than the top.
While you’re cleaning the a/c coils, be sure to also make sure the seals of your fridge are secure.
Okay, we’ve covered the coils. What about the rest of the refrigerator?
• Start by tossing any expired or spoiled food in the trash-bin. This is something you should try to do on a weekly basis to free up space and for sanitary reasons
• Remove all items from the fridge so you can reach every corner easily to clean
• Take out the removable shelving and scrub the interior with warm water and soap
• For hard-to-remove stains, add a bit of baking soda
Dishwasher Cleaning TipsDid you know you might be better off disconnecting your dishwasher if you plan on being on an extended trip? This is particularly true in the winter months, when freezing is more likely to occur. If you plan on spending more than 30 days this winter in the Bahamas, consider turning your dishwasher off to avoid frozen or dried-out hoses.
Not planning on an extended vacation? Here are some dishwasher maintenance tips that are good year-round.
• To clean your dishwasher, start by emptying it. This is one of those things we feel is self-explanatory, but need to add just for the sake of clarity.
• Clean the spinning arms and make sure they work properly. Buildup can lead to performance issues.
• Pay attention to all parts of the dishwasher, including the exterior corners, under the door, the flatware basket, and the detergent dispenser.
• Unclog and clean the drain. The drain can be found at the bottom of the dishwasher and is a hotbed for food particles and other pieces of debris.
Oven Cleaning TipsNow, most ovens these days come with a self-cleaning cycle, but if you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, use oven-cleaner. Baking mishaps are a part of life, so the bit of overcooked dinner from last week or the birthday cake batter that overflowed the pan might have left debris. The oven’s high temperatures have likely charred any rogue debris to ash.
To step up your oven maintenance game, you’ll need the following:
• Store-bought oven cleaner
• Mask
• Gloves
• Scraper
The mask and gloves are for your protection, as the cleaner tends to be on the strong side.
For electric stove tops, a basic cleaner should suffice for the surface area. If you have a gas stove, it gets a bit more complicated as you will likely need to take apart the components to make sure they are properly cleaned.
If you do have a self-cleaning oven, check your care and maintenance paperwork to see if you should leave the racks in your oven when the self-cleaning feature is engaged. This varies from model to model.
Microwave Cleaning TipsLeft uncleaned, the inside of your microwave might start resembling a crime scene. Fortunately, there is an easy-peasy way to keep this from happening. All you need to do is boil a cup of water inside. The steam will release the baked particles that stick to the walls and ceiling of the microwave, making them super simple to wipe away.
Maintenance is, admittedly, the least fun part of appliance ownership, but carving out some time to address your kitchen and other household appliances is ultimately in your best interest. Your appliances last longer and run more efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run.
Want more appliance maintenance tips? Call or visit your friends at Metro Appliances & More!