How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Appliances?

Cleaning kitchen appliances is an integral part of keeping your kitchen sanitary. Most kitchen appliances can carry bacteria, which can grow and spread if not cleaned regularly.

Think about it: foods placed in the refrigerator can easily be transferred onto your shelves and your hands. If you don’t wash your hands, you can quickly transfer those germs to your face, hair, or clothing.

The next time you use your kitchen appliance, those germs will transfer to your food or drinks. If you don’t clean off your kitchen appliances and keep them clean, you can quickly transfer that same bacteria onto other food surfaces.

That’s quite scary, right? But with proper and regular cleaning, you can lessen the chances of that bacteria transfer. If you have no idea how often you should clean your appliances, here’s a quick reference you can use.

Refrigerator

Since it contains the food you and your family eat, it would be best to do a deep clean of your refrigerator every month. Pay special attention to the gaskets and crevices that may be hard to reach.

Remove all food from the refrigerator, including the shelves and bins. Give the inside a good cleaning with a mild cleaner and a sponge. Be sure to clean off the shelves, containers, and refrigerator door. Once everything has a fresh scent, put all the food back in the refrigerator.

Oven

Your oven is a place that you can easily forget about, but it’s a place where germs and bacteria can multiply fast. To avoid these health risks, you should clean your oven at least once a month.

Turn your oven on to the self-cleaning function. If you have a gas range, you can start a self-cleaning cycle with a few clicks of a button. A self-cleaning cycle typically takes an hour or so. During this time, your oven will heat to a high temperature and burn everything off.

But if you want to do it manually, the easiest way to clean your oven is to use a scraper and a vinegar-and-water solution. The solution will help soften the grime, and the scraper will help remove the residue.

Dishwasher

It’s best to clean your dishwasher monthly. If you want to clean your dishwasher, start by unloading it and removing all the racks. Run a cycle with soap and vinegar. Once the cycle is finished, you can run another cycle with only vinegar and hot water.

Once the vinegar cycle is finished, you can wipe your dishwasher down with a soft cloth. Be sure to wipe down the dishwasher’s top, door, and sides.

Stove

If you want to cook in a clean environment, you should clean your stove regularly. It’s imperative to thoroughly clean it at least once a month.

Start by removing any food from the stove. Then wipe down the front and the sides of the stove with a sponge. Be sure to get into the crevices to clean the grime that’s built up over the month.

When you are finished, wipe down the stove top with a clean paper towel. Finally, wipe down the knobs of your stove.

Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal can get clogged easily with food scraps, which can cause the unit to break or create a foul odor. Over time, the disposal can get clogged up with a buildup of grease, food scraps, and bacteria. 

The best way to clean the disposal is to grind up ice cubes with lemons or vinegar. Then, thoroughly rinse the sink and the garbage disposal. Do this once a week or once every two weeks.

Conclusion

Cleaning your kitchen appliances is just as important as cleaning the rest of your kitchen. You’re one big step closer to a cleaner and healthier kitchen by keeping your appliances clean. If you follow this quick checklist, you can clean your appliances like a pro.

But if you think you need a more thorough cleaning or have no time to do any of these, you can always hire professional cleaners who would ensure the quality of their service. Maids 4 Jersey offers cleaning services for residential homes in New York and New Jersey areas. We can take care of not only your kitchen but your whole house’s safety. Book a service with us today!