How to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances

Your kitchen might not be getting a health inspection anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep it “up to code.” Because this is where you prep and store food, keeping your kitchen appliances sanitary is essential. Plus, if you need a little motivation to take it easy on the take-out, there’s nothing better than a sparkling kitchen.

Are dirty appliances keeping you from getting your “bake” on? From stubborn water spots and caked-on grease, cleaning your kitchen appliances isn’t always easy. Make your appliances look and feel like new with this guide.

How to Clean Inside of an Oven

According to Martha Stewart, who knows a thing or two about maintaining a home, the interior of your oven should get a deep cleaning every three months. Otherwise, grime like burned on food and grease spills can affect how evenly your oven cooks and even how your food tastes.

If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, great! Otherwise, you’ll need some oven cleaner and a little elbow grease. There are plenty oven cleaners on the market, or you can go the DIY route and whip up a two-ingredient option at home!

• Mix baking soda and warm water to a paste consistency.
• Remove the oven racks and coat the interior of your oven with the paste.
• Let the paste sit overnight, wiping it clean the next day
• Scrape off any remaining food.
• Spritz the oven with white vinegar and wipe clean.
• Give the oven racks a thorough wipe down, replace, and voila!

How to Clean Your Stovetop

Thanks to boiling-over pots and overzealous stirring, stovetops seem to accumulate grime the quickest. How often you clean this appliance depends on how often you use it, but when your stovetop needs a thorough clean, it’s pretty hard to miss.

Note: Ensure that all heating elements are cool before starting.

How to Clean a Gas Stovetop

To clean a gas stovetop, you’ll use dish soap and a sponge to scrub down the entire surface. If you encounter caked-on grime or stubborn grease, a mixture of equal parts vinegar and baking soda may do the trick.

How to Clean a Glass Stovetop

If you’ve got a glass stovetop, the process is slightly different. Spray down the entire stovetop with white vinegar, and then sprinkle baking soda over it. Soak a wash rag in warm water, and then lay the rag over the stovetop. Let everything sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe away the concoction with a damp cloth. To make it sparkle, finish with another spray down of white vinegar.

How to Clean an Electric Stovetop

To clean an electric stovetop, scrub down the coils with warm water and dish soap. Use a paste of baking soda and water to tackle caked-on, tricky stains. Let that paste sit for about half an hour, and wipe clean.

After cleaning your stovetop, don’t forget to wipe down the knobs and back panel! You can use warm soapy water for this or our trusty vinegar and water combo.

How to Clean Your Fridge

Cleaning the interior of your fridge is pretty simple, but it’s a chore that’s often forgotten. Don’t wait until you notice a funky smell. Your fridge should receive a thorough clean every three to four months. If you notice food in your fridge has spoiled or if there’s been a spill, you’ll want to clean your fridge sooner.

To clean out your fridge follow these steps:

• Remove any food, and place it in a cooler. (Throw out any food that has gone bad).
• Remove the refrigerator shelves and drawers and wash them with dish soap.
• To sanitize, soak these components in a gallon of water mixed with one tablespoon of bleach.
• Using a mixture of dish soap and water (or baking soda and water), wipe down the inside of your fridge.
• Leave the door open for 15 minutes so everything can air out.
• Once everything is sparkling, replace the shelves, drawers, and food.

How to Clean Your Microwave

Microwaves are notoriously a kitchen’s worst crime scene. If your microwave gets a lot of use, you’ll want to clean it every couple of days (or whenever you notice a spill!). Luckily, this is a fairly straightforward process.

Here’s the best way to clean a microwave:

• Fill a microwavable safe bowl with water and add a few tablespoons of white vinegar.
• Place this mixture in the microwave and run it for two minutes on high, or until the water starts to boil and the microwave’s window steams up.
• Keep the door shut and let the mixture cool for about five minutes. (This process helps soften crusty stains, so they wipe off easily and eliminate any food odors).
• Once everything has cooled, wipe the interior with a damp cloth and scrub the turntable clean with dish soap.

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Yes, it’s true – even an appliance created to clean things occasionally needs to be cleaned itself! You should generally clean your dishwasher about once a month to prevent grease buildup, soap scum, and even mold. However, if you notice that your dishes aren’t getting very clean or smell a strange odor, you’ll want to do it earlier than that!

To clean your dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Use hot soapy water to wipe down the racks. If you can remove them, even better!
• Scrub the interior walls of the dishwasher with the same soapy mixture.
• If your dishwasher has a filter, don’t forget to clean that with soap, too.
• Run a normal cycle with a bowl full of white vinegar on the top rack.
• Pour a cup of baking soda onto the bottom of your dishwasher and run for a second cycle.

How to Clean Your Coffee Maker

If you’re using your coffee maker regularly, you’ll want to clean it about once a month. Wash the actual coffee pot and all removable parts with warm water and dish soap, giving it a thorough scrub to remove stubborn coffee stains.

Then, fill your coffee maker’s reservoir with white vinegar and let it sit for half an hour. After sitting, run the vinegar through the appliance with a regular brewing cycle. Once that is finished, run a couple of cycles with water – you don’t want your next cup of coffee to taste like vinegar!

How to Clean the Outside of Your Kitchen Appliances

Cleaning the interior of your appliances is essential, but cleaning the exterior is what will make your kitchen look beautiful. Get started with these tips.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances

Cleaning stainless steel appliances is a relatively easy process. Wipe the entire surface down with a mixture of warm water and dish soap, drying it thoroughly. Then, grab a microfiber cloth and add a couple drops of baby oil. Wipe down your appliance with the baby oil – in the direction of the grain – for a shiny, polished finish.

How to Clean Chrome Kitchen Appliances

Chrome appliances are particularly susceptible to unsightly water spots. To remove these, spray down your chrome surfaces with a mixture that is equal parts water and vinegar. Let that sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe clean and buff.

How to Clean White Kitchen Appliances

With white appliances, you risk them yellowing and becoming dingy. To combat this, you’ll want to use a mixture of ½ cup bleach, ¼ cup baking soda, and four cups of warm water. Mix this together and wipe down your white appliances, letting them sit for about ten minutes. Then, wipe the mixture away with a damp rag and dry.

Get Rent-to-Own Kitchen Appliances at Rent-A-Center

Got a kitchen appliance that’s just not getting clean or is on its way out? With free same-day delivery** and flexible payment options, you can say goodbye to caked-on grease and soot as soon as today! Shop online or stop by your nearest Rent-A-Center to upgrade your home with rent-to-own kitchen appliances today!