The reasons for switching from toxic cleaners to all-natural cleaning solutions for your kitchen appliances are self-explanatory. Why would anyone want to leave traces of chemicals in places where food will encounter them? It’s unsafe and unnecessary.
Now, we’ve established why you shouldn’t use toxic commercial cleaners to clean your kitchen appliances, and we all know that you can’t leave them dirty and covered in bacteria either; so, what’s the solution? Well, it’s a 100% natural one! Our experts at Duty Cleaners are here to share eco-friendly, all-natural cleaning solutions for four different kitchen appliances. Read on!
How to Clean Your Microwave
No matter how grimy and greasy your microwave is, this DIY natural cleaning method is all you need to get it all cleaned up!
Step 1: Grab a microwave-safe bowl, add in 1 cup of water, ½ a cup of white vinegar, and lemon extract from 1 lemon. Stir with a spoon to combine the ingredients well.
Step 2: Place the bowl inside, set the microwave to a high temperature, and turn it on for 2-3 minutes or until the interior starts to steam up. It’s the steam from this magic potion that will help melt away grease and loosen up stuck-on or burnt-on food bits.
Step 3: Use oven mitts to take the bowl out and leave it aside. This can be used to spot clean stubborn stains once it cools down. Keep the microwave door open for a few minutes to allow the interior to become cool to the touch.
Step 4: Use a clean microfiber cloth or non-abrasive scrubber to wipe down the interior of your microwave. Rinse off the cleaning tool as and when needed, and dip it in the cleaning solution to remove those stubborn spots. Step 5: When your microwave is all cleaned up, wipe over the interior with paper towels or a dry cloth to prevent water spots.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator
Everyone knows that the first thing to do when cleaning the refrigerator is to turn off the appliance while the second is to clear it out (after the interior has come down to room temperature). What follows is obviously the cleaning process, however, only few know of a systematic and effective way to go about this using natural cleaning products. Learn our DIY method to clean your fridge naturally below.
Step 1: Take out the racks/shelves and vegetable drawer. Each of these removable components can be washed under running water with dish soap and a scrubber. Of course, if you have the space, it helps to soak them in warm soapy water for a good hour or so and then clean.
Step 2: In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 1 teaspoon of lemon oil. Close the bottle and shake well to mix all the ingredients.
Step 3: Spray the inside of your fridge generously; pay extra attention to spills and stains. Allow the cleaning solution to soak grime inside your fridge for 5 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Dampen a clean sponge or soft scrubber, and wipe the interior walls of your fridge from top to bottom (don’t forget the roof and back wall). Rinse out the scrubber/sponge at intervals, and continue wiping the interior (applying more of the cleaner if needed) until you are satisfied with the results.
Step 5: Finish off by wiping down the inside of your fridge with a clean damp cloth, followed by a dry lint-free towel. Allow the fridge interior to air out for about 30 minutes before you replace the removable components and switch it on.
How to Clean Your Stovetop
A gleaming stovetop can quickly turn into a grease-covered one with just a single use. Fortunately, it only takes a few natural ingredients and a simple step-by-step method to bring back your shiny stovetop!
Step 1: If you have stove grates, take them off and leave them to soak in hot or warm water. When the water cools down, scrub the stove grates with dish soap and rinse.
Step 2: Wipe up loose debris or food bits that are not clinging to the surface. The cleaner you can get your stovetop during this step, the easier the rest of the cleaning process will be.
Step 3: Cover the surface with a thin, even layer of baking soda.
Step 4: Spray the baking soda with undiluted white vinegar; just enough to dampen the powder, not soak it. Allow the ingredients to react for a few minutes.
Step 5: Take a damp scrubber and clean the stovetop using the vinegar-baking soda paste to effectively remove grease and stains.
Step 6: Wipe off the cleaner with paper towels and then check for leftover grease/stains. If found, dampen a scrubber in warm white vinegar and spot clean. While you’re at it, give the stovetop one last wipe down with a clean cloth dipped in white vinegar.
Step 7: Finish off by immediately buffing the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker
Coffee makers are prone to mold, mildew, and mineral deposits which is why regular cleaning is highly recommended! Fortunately, it’s quick and rather effortless to clean your coffee maker and keep mold at bay.
Step 1: Rinse the filter basket and carafe.
Step 2: Pour in 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts distilled water; brew halfway, and leave it to sit for 2 hours. During this time, the heated water-vinegar solution will tackle mineral deposits and kill bacteria and mold spores (if present).
Step 3: Resume the brew and let it finish. Dispose of the liquids after the brew is complete.
Step 4: Run another brew with plain distilled water to rinse the reservoir. If the smell of vinegar persists, run another plain water brew. Once done, leave it slightly open to air-dry.
Step 5: Wash the carafe and filter basket thoroughly, and your coffee maker will be clean and ready to use again!
Don’t take your trusty ol’ kitchen appliances (that serve you daily) for granted. They too require regular cleaning and servicing in order to function at full capacity, and live out their potential lifespan. Be sure to use the cleaning guides above to clean and maintain your kitchen appliances so that they serve you just fine for years to come!
