Hello and welcome back to Memphis Maids! Today we will give you tips on how to clean your kitchen appliances without damaging them.
Our kitchen appliances are often stylish and fancy, but they are also extremely delicate and sensitive.
Using the wrong cleaning products or methods can damage your appliances, and it’s going to be more expensive at the end of the day because you will have to replace parts or the whole appliance.
Let’s read some tips to clean your kitchen appliances without damaging them!
As always, make sure to visit our main page if you need a professional cleaning service in the Memphis area.
Let’s dive right in!
Clean Your Appliances Inside Out
When using our kitchen appliances, they are often getting dirty on the inside and the outside at the same time.
On the outside, you have dust flying around, food or liquids spilling or grease from nearby appliances.
And on the inside, of course, you have water, coffee, or food lingering around.
This is why it’s important to carefully take apart the components of your appliance and give them a thorough cleaning.
Of course, follow your manufacturer’s instructions if you wish to clean your appliances the right way.
Always Go With the Grain
Many kitchen appliances are stainless steel or wooden appliances. If you go with the grain, it means you are wiping or scrubbing in the same direction as the natural pattern of the material.
Many people don’t even know that surfaces like wood or steel have a natural pattern to which they need to pay attention.
By cleaning with the grain, you are preventing damage because you are not breaking or splitting the fibers. This is especially true for materials like wood or leather, where you can clearly see the direction of the grain.
Besides, hard water can create more scratches if you don’t go with the grain. In areas such as Memphis, water has a higher amount of minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
These minerals can cause microscopic scratches on the surface, so you might want to use a tap filter or distilled water instead.
However, if you pay close attention, you can still notice the grain in stainless steel surfaces. Always take a few seconds to detect the grain before cleaning. You will notice the benefits in the long run!
Always Wipe Dry Your Appliances After Cleaning
Making sure you finish your cleaning is extremely important.
Safety is the most important reason. First of all, your appliances have electrical components that can be damaged by water, and moisture can seep into these components.
Second, you need to wipe dry to prevent water buildup. As we mentioned earlier, this is because water can leave permanent marks on your appliances, especially if you have hard water.
Next, water also causes rust in the long term, especially if you do not have proper sunlight or natural airflow.
Besides, hygiene is also important. Water is the perfect environment for bacteria and mold to grow. When you mix that with cooking appliances, it’s even worse. By wiping your appliances dry after cleaning, you help to prevent the growth of these microorganisms.
Related: Memphis Maids Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Life Easier
Pay Attention to Details
Cleaning our home and making sure it looks spotless is always a challenge. And of course, this also includes appliances. Many of them have small crevices and hard-to-reach areas.
Try to find two or three tools to help you with these areas. For example, an old toothbrush works well as a detailing tool. Electric air canisters are perfect to remove stubborn dust.
Always try first on a small, hidden area. You never know how certain products react to other surfaces or materials.
Microfiber cloths are perfect to absorb both dust and liquids (e.g. detergent, water).
A steam cleaner is a must-have for water fixtures and splashbacks. Steam is a fantastic cleaner because it’s just water, which makes it safe to use on pretty much any surface. However, it is extremely hot so you don’t want to use it on surfaces that are not steam-resistant or heat-resistant.
Related: How to Clean Your Home After Thanksgiving
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Using the right cleaning products to clean your kitchen appliances is extremely important. Here’s why:
First of all, many appliances have food and grease buildup after some time. The most common examples are ovens and microwaves. The right cleaning product should be able to remove these residues.
Second, abrasive cleaners are good at removing food and grease, but they are also great at leaving stains and removing your appliances’ protective coating. Besides, many of them create toxic fumes that are dangerous to inhale, or too abrasive on your skin (even when wearing gloves).
Next, if you do use a more “harmless” cleaner, you don’t know if you are going to effectively remove all that grime you want to see gone.
You need to find the perfect mix of a product that is not too dangerous yet still effective.
If you take the commercial cleaning products route, make sure they are fume-free and free of phosphates, ammonia, and bleach (if possible).
If you are using DIY cleaning products, try to use components that are not too abrasive for your appliances’ materials (e.g., stainless steel or plastic). Mild dish soap, lemon juice, white vinegar and baking soda are often versatile and safe on most surfaces.
Conclusion
There you have it! Your kitchen appliances will look spotless and, more importantly, will be safe and sound if you take good care of them.
Remember to take them apart slowly and clean them with the proper tools to reach every area.
As always, feel free to check Memphis Maids main page if you need a cleaning service in the Memphis area.