Have you ever seen one of those spick-and-span kitchens? The gleaming, modern looking ones, with the dishes neatly set behind a glass cabinet door, and the small appliances placed in an orderly and efficient manner? Honestly, though, you are only likely to see such kitchens in magazines, advertisements, or movies, and there is a reason for that - Kitchens are used EVERY DAY. Since they are used daily, keeping up immaculate surfaces and spotless countertops is quite unachievable for the majority of us.
However, having your small kitchen appliances look spotless and gleaming on the kitchen counter will give a good first impression. Regularly cleaning appliances can help maintain that polished appearance.
Small Appliance Maintenance and Optimization
As opposed to our larger appliances, small ones are often called upon to do more work, more frequently, and with less care given to them. For instance, when was the last time you cleaned the inside of your toaster rather than your stovetop?
Learning how to clean and maintain your small appliances will help optimize their performance and keep them running smoothly for years and years. Replacing common small appliance parts when they get worn out is another way to add a long-life span to your appliances– and it will also keep your local landfill clear of unnecessary waste.
How to Clean your Countertop Appliances
This article has all the details you need to know on cleaning 3 of the most commonly used kitchen appliances. The first step for all of these appliances is to unplug them from electrical sockets before doing anything else.
Microwaves
Because of their high electrical draw of up to 1,200 watts and their size, microwaves are tough small countertop appliances to clean and maintain. But splatters happen. If you spill something in your microwave, dampen your sponge with some warm water and wipe it up immediately.
A quick tip for cleaning appliances the insides of your microwave is to let it do the work. Pour a cup of water into a container and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes or until the water comes to a full boil. Keep the door closed for 15 minutes. Make sure the container you use is microwave-friendly. The steam filling the inside of the microwave will help loosen all food particles. Wipe with a damp cloth within a few minutes while it's all moist inside for an easy clean – No scrubbing required.
Lastly, use a clean damp cloth dipped in a solution of white vinegar and water and wiped all the interior and exterior surfaces of the microwave. Wipe the handles with a disinfectant wipe to remove dirt and bacteria.
Toaster
Built-up grease and crumbs can cause fires, so it is essential to clean slice toasters and toaster ovens very often. Toasters usually pile up more food filth and crumbs than most of the other small appliances. And they should never be immersed in water. So how do we clean them?
Turn your toaster upside down and give it a good shake over the sink basin so that all the loose crumbs and debris fall into the sink. Most toasters have an in-built crumb tray that slides out. Remove this tray, empty the insides, and wash it in the hot soapy water, or set it in the first rack of your dishwasher.
To reach any tight crevices, use a clean, soft toothbrush.
The exteriors of your toaster can be cleaned with a sponge dipped in warm water and mild detergent. Make sure the sponge is thoroughly squeezed-out before cleaning appliances. Air dry for at least 10 minutes before using.
Coffee Maker
Regardless of whether you use a single pod coffee maker, French press, or a drip coffee maker, it should regularly be cleaned for good tasting coffee and prevent the growth of bacteria. Coffee or espresso makers combine warmth and moisture, which could become the perfect breeding grounds for mold growth and bacteria.
For some great coffee, take out all removable pieces of the coffee maker after every use to clean away any oils or coffee grounds. These parts can be hand washed with soapy, warm water, or you could set them in the top rack of the dishwasher. Empty the drip trays or water reservoirs and wipe down the maker's outsides and warming plates with a clean, moist cloth.
Leave the reservoir lid open between uses, so it has time to dry out properly.
Minerals from the water you use for coffee can build up in the machine that could change the taste of your coffee. cleaning appliances those is relatively easy. Fill the reservoir with equal parts of distilled water and distilled white vinegar. Let this solution sit in the coffee maker for around half an hour to one hour (the longer you leave it, the better), and then run a brewing cycle.
After that, run two complete brewing cycles with plain water, and you will have a spotless coffee maker that is ready to make some fantastic coffee!
Hire a Toronto cleaning services expert to get your job done!