How to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances Inside and Out

Tackle tough-to-clean appliances in your kitchen, including the refrigerator, dishwasher and oven.

Despite our best efforts, the kitchen is one area in our home that can be tough to keep clean. But with holiday get-togethers right around the corner, now is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and cross those deep cleaning tasks off your to-do list.

Plus, putting in the extra effort to take good care of your kitchen appliances will help ensure they continue working well for the long haul.

So we’ve gathered some tips on the best ways to keep your large kitchen appliances fresh inside and out.* For detailed instructions specific to your appliances, be sure to refer to your product manuals. Most are available online through the manufacturer’s website.

In this article we cover the following topics:

• General appliance exteriors

• Refrigerators

• Dishwashers

• Ovens

• Cooktops

Let’s dig in!

General Appliance Exteriors

To start, here are some simple tips for keeping the outsides of your appliances sparkly clean:

• Use a liquid cleaner mixed with warm water and a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe surfaces down. Vinegar mixed with warm water also works well to cut through grease.

• Be sure to rub in the direction of the grain or brush lines.

• Avoid using waxes, polishes or abrasive cloths as they may damage the appliance finish.

• Keep stainless steel appliances streak-free using any commercial stainless steel appliance cleaner, or diluted vinegar, and a microfiber cloth. Do not use abrasive scouring powders, bleach or ammonia, as these can damage the appliance’s finish.

Refrigerators

One of the most-used items in the house, your fridge can quickly harbor old food, bacteria and grime. Try to give it a deep clean every three months.

Items you'll need:

• Hot, soapy water

• Clean towels

• Optional: bleach.

Step 1. First remove all items from your refrigerator. This includes shelving, drawers and any other removable parts.

Step 2. To avoid fissures, let cold glass shelves and drawers come to room temperature before attempting to clean them. Then wash the interior and all removable parts by hand with hot, soapy water. Dry with a clean towel.

Step 3. You may want to sanitize the interior as well. To do this, we recommend diluting one tablespoon of liquid bleach in one gallon of water and wiping down the inside one more time.

Additional Refrigerator Tips

When you go to refill your refrigerator, don’t overstuff it. Leave room to let cool air circulate, which will keep food at a safe temperature. (Refrigerators should be set at 34 to 38 degrees fahrenheit and your freezer at zero degrees.)

Conversely, don’t leave your refrigerator empty. Refrigerators need to have some items in them to maintain low temperatures. Those items will absorb the warm air that enters when you open the door.

Dishwashers

You might think your dishwasher is constantly cleaning itself. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If built-up grime goes unchecked, it can damage your dishwasher’s filter and pump and lead to costly repairs.

We suggest taking time every two months to give your dishwasher a thorough clean.

Items you'll need:

• Dishwasher cleaner or white vinegar

• Clean towels

• A small, pointy object such as a paper clip

Step 1. Wipe the dishwasher bottom clean with a clean, damp cloth. If any jets in the spray arms are blocked, carefully use a paper clip or tweezers to remove the debris.

Step 2. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your model has a removable filter. If so, clean the filter. Whirlpool has a great how-to article you can reference for this.

Step 3. Use a dishwasher cleaner, or distilled vinegar, to help remove scale and mineral buildup. To clean with vinegar, place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with one cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack and run an empty cycle with hot water.

Step 4. Many new dishwashers have sanitize cycles that meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) residential standards. Check your use and care manual to see if your dishwasher has a sanitize cycle and how to use it. By running this cycle, you can reduce 99% of bacteria on dishes.

Additional Dishwasher Tips

Scrape your dishes — but don’t rinse — before loading to remove leftover food. Rinsing your dishes before washing may cause the dishwasher sensor to think your load is cleaner than it is. And result in a less than optimized wash cycle.

Ovens

Whether you have a standard oven or a self-cleaning oven, we’ll help you make short work of tackling its baked-on messes.

Aim to give your oven a deep clean every three months.

Items you'll need:

• Hot, soapy water

• Baking soda

• Vinegar or lemon juice

• Scouring pads

• Razor scraper

• Clean towels

Standard Ovens

Step 1. First make sure your oven is cool. Then slide the oven racks out and place them in a tub of hot water and dish soap to soak.

Step 2. Next, create a cleaning solution of baking soda and water by mixing them until they form a paste. Baking soda is known for dissolving dirt, grease and other residue without leaving scratches behind.

Step 3. Spread the baking soda paste around the oven interior, taking care to avoid the glass window. Allow the solution to rest for at least 20 minutes before spraying the interior with white vinegar or lemon juice.

Step 4. Use a towel to immediately wipe up the solution. For any remaining stubborn spots, use a scraper.

Step 5. After two hours, remove the racks from their soap bath, gently scrub them and give them a good rinse. Be sure they are dry before sliding them back into the oven.

Self-Clean Ovens

The self-clean cycle is a time-saving convenience feature. The oven is cleaned by extreme heat. For ovens with a self-clean mode, follow these instructions or check your product care manual for more details.

Step 1. Remove all items from inside the oven (check your product manual to see if your racks and grates can stay in).

Step 2. Use a damp towel to wipe excess grease and food from your oven interior. Then close the door.

Step 3. Press the self-clean button. (Note: Once the cycle begins you will not be able to open your oven. It will remain locked until the cycle completes and the oven is cooled. A cycle can last up to three hours.)

Step 4. Once the cycle is finished, use a wet towel to wipe away any leftover ash.

Additional Oven Tips

Frequent wiping with mild soap and water (particularly after cooking meat) will prolong the time between major cleanings.

Glass Cooktops

Like any glass surface, even minor spills and splatters will stand out on a glass cooktop. Worse yet, any dried bit of food that isn’t immediately wiped up can burn onto the surface the next time you cook.

To maintain a clean cooking surface, try for daily quick-cleans. These tips will help your cooktop sparkle and shine.

Items you'll need:

• Dish soap

• Microfiber cloths

• Razor scraper

Step 1. Once your cooktop is cool, wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth. Doing this each time you cook is a low-maintenance way to keep your cooktop clean week after week.

Step 2. If stubborn stains persist, spread dish soap around in circular motions with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. This will help the razor glide in our next step.

Step 3. Hold a razor scraper at a 45º angle against the glass surface and scrape – it will be necessary to apply pressure.

Step 4. After scraping, use a fresh microfiber cloth to remove any remaining residue.

Step 5. Mineral deposits from evaporated water and food can sometimes leave a metallic sheen. You can remove them with a gentle commercial cleaner such as Cerama Bryte.

Additional Glass Cooktop Tips

When cooking, take caution not to slide pots and pans across your cooktop. It will leave metal markings on the cooktop surface.

Also, be sure to check all pan bottoms for nicks, gouges or any rough areas that could scratch the cooktop.

Final Takeaway

Kitchen appliances last longer when cleaned on a regular basis. If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help.

Brothers Main offers a wide selection of smart, self-cleaning and smudge-resistant appliances that are specially designed to make cleaning a breeze. Home of reliable appliances from brands you know and trust, our catalog includes in-stock options for every budget and lifestyle.

Our friendly, expert staff will help you find everything you need for the lowest price around.

Browse, shop and compare in-store or online today.

*This information does not replace, modify or change in any manner the manufacturer product manuals that accompany each appliance purchased from Brothers Main.