Useful Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Are you planning a major home cleaning overhaul? The perfect place to start would be the kitchen! Why is that? Think about it – this is the one place in your home that is like an oasis for the bacteria, germs, and allergens. It is not a good idea to leave your kitchen utensils and appliances unattended for a long time – the nasty microelements they can accumulate can quickly end up in your body and cause you some serious health issues. We know home cleaning chores are the least favourite in any household, so we decided to put up a list of useful tips and suggestions on how to kick of your cleaning campaign in the kitchen! With that we hope the clean up will be at least more bearable :).
How To Clean Your Toaster
Sandwich toasters vary in sizes and brands, but they all work on the same principle. This small kitchen appliance could be found in many households as it is easy to use and clean. It makes every breakfast delicious and enjoyable, and it doesn’t take long for it to be prepared. Moreover, these sandwich toasters make the sandwich from both sides without the need to use butter or other oils. Although they are made from a non-stick material, it is a good habit to clean the sandwich toaster after each use to avoid any food leftovers on the sides if for any reason they stick onto them.
Although we talk about the cleaning of the sandwich toaster, it is not the same as cleaning other small kitchen appliances because of the material it is made of. The cleaning usually takes less than five minutes and is pretty straightforward.
What materials are necessary for the cleaning?
Kitchen paper
Few cloths
Washing up liquid/dishwasher detergent
Warm water.
Avoid using sharp or metal tools to clean the sandwich toaster as you will damage its surface and may cause malfunctioning. Sandwich toasters are designed to be cleaned with soft domestic cleaning materials to avoid damaging them.
Keeping your toaster clean is important for two reasons. First, to ensure that it does not pose any health hazards and second, to keep your toaster in good working condition. It is a common complaint that the toaster isn’t working as efficiently as it used to when it was brand new. If you have had similar complaints, it is time that you look at your toaster carefully, both from inside and outside. Most of the time, the accumulated dirt and grime inside the toaster result in its deteriorating performance. Check the panel of the toaster for accumulated dirt, grim and bread crumbles. Tilt the toaster a little bit and use a small brush to clean the panel and to free it from the breadcrumbs. Make sure that you do not bend the coil inside the panel or you will end up messing with the functionality of your toaster. It is always better to have a look at the instruction manual to find out if you can soak the panel in water to clean it.
While a lot of toasters are quite user-friendly and can be cleaned up using a lot of water or under the running tap water, some toasters are to be cleaned with extra care. If you are not sure about the instructions on how to clean the toaster as shown in the manual, then just go the safer way and use a sponge soaked in soapy water. You can also use a disposable cloth towel with some water and soap to clean the insides of the toaster, including the panel. After rubbing and cleaning with soapy water clean it with a sponge soaked in cold water or you can also use a rag soaked in water to clean the soap. After you are done with cleaning the soap, allow the toaster to dry or if you would like to use it instantly or put it away in the cabinet, then make sure that you wipe it with a clean, dry cotton rag.
After cleaning the inner parts of the toaster, you should clean up its outer body too. Cleaning the exterior is far easier and simpler than cleaning the insides of the toaster or for that matter any electrical appliances. It does not mean, however, that the outer panel cannot become as dirty as the inside – far from it. You will find a lot of hand stains, butter grease, watermarks, jam and whatnot. Sometimes you will even discover dust if you haven’t used your toaster for a while. You can use any handy cleanser or spray bottle with little soft detergent mixed in water in it to clean the outer body. Wipe it clean with a rag or a sponge and your toaster will be sparkling clean. Indeed, the electrical appliances are better maintained if they are used regularly, keeping them away on a rack or in a cabinet for a long time takes away the smoothness of its functioning.
Let’s sum it up – Follow these simple steps, and your results are guaranteed:
First, you need to wait until the sandwich toaster cools down to avoid any burns on your skin
Wipe away any bread crumbs with a dry cloth or kitchen towel
For any sandwich residues, use a damp cloth with a small amount of washing up liquid or a dishwashing detergent diluted with warm water.
For any areas which you can’t reach, you may use a stick with a rolled kitchen paper around it to clean in the difficult to reach areas.
Rinse the interior of the sandwich toaster with a cloth and clean water until the liquid is completely removed.
Dry the grill plates with a dry cloth.
Wipe it from the outside with a damp cloth.
Your sandwich toaster is clean and ready for the next use.
How To Clean A Coffee maker
Cleaning a coffee maker is not a difficult task and requires little to almost no effort on your part. But it should always be borne in mind that a coffee maker needs a thorough cleaning at least once a month to make it get rid of its grime 
and dirt so that it ensures smooth functioning. Your coffee maker requires regular cleaning not only to get rid of the dust particles but also the old oils from that of the pots which were previously brewed.
The best way to clean a dripping coffee maker is by cleaning it with a mixture which contains 1 part of vinegar to 2 parts of water. First, you should be making a solution of the vinegar and water and then pour it all into the reservoir and then switch it on. After there is a through running of the mixture, you should turn on the appliance and then let it cool in a dry place for a considerable time. But you must bear this fact in mind that if you are cleaning a coffee maker which has not been cleaned regularly, then you might need to repeat the process for quite a few times. But make sure every time the mixture or the solution that you use is fresh.
After repeating the process for a few times, you must make sure that you have rinsed the pot thoroughly with plain and water. Following that, you must pour some plain water into the reservoir and then switch on the knob again to ensure that you have followed a thorough rinsing process. As soon as you get rid of the rinsing process for the final time, let the coffee maker dry under the shade. Don’t ever expose it to the harsh rays of the Sun.
You do not need to apply rocket science to clean this kitchen appliance. If you have a mesh filter after the cleaning process, you will be able to see how much grime and dirt has accumulated within it. But instead of following a hectic process, it is wise if you clean your coffee maker at least once every week. To clean effectively, you should make use of commercial cleaning products as they come with a guarantee. But before buying any cleaning products make thorough market research. Don’t go for the attractive packages as they will not be any worth. Always make sure that the cleaning products that you are using are the best available in the market. Using them, you can be assured that they will give you the best cleaning. Before using the detergents, you must also read the instructions that are provided in the sidebar. Always follow the guidelines to maintain the performance. Remember these instructions were put here for a reason, and it does not help to ignore such instructions and warnings.
Cleanse your coffee maker frequently enough to retain the flavour of your freshly brewed coffee that you take every morning. The best way to savour the divine taste is to consume coffee from a clean coffee maker.
Regularly Cleaning Your Electric Kettle
Most people like drinking tea and the electric kettle is an inevitable part of almost every kitchen. You may be drinking tea in the morning as part of your breakfast or in the evening just before you go to bed, but if your tea has a strange taste, it might be because of the developed limescale inside your kettle. The limescale will not do any damages, but the appliance will work better if you remove it regularly. Following these simple tips might help you keep your kettle clean.
Descaling the kettle is vital for its operation and the taste of boiled water. You don’t want to drink ruined tea when you have a choice to do something. Buying a new kettle every three to six months is not an option as the tea you drink will turn to be extremely expensive. To descale your kettle, you will need some kind of an acid. You have a choice to use commercial descalers or natural cleaners. White vinegar or lemon juice will do the job. After you have made your choice which cleaning agent to use, it is time to add some water to make it the perfect descaling substance. Pour your home made mixture into the kettle and make sure it covers all the areas which need descaling. There are two ways you could proceed from then – either boil the kettle with the mixture or leave it for a few hours without boiling. If you decide to boil it, you need to leave the kettle until it cools down. Pour out the content of the kettle and rinse it with clean water. You can wash it with washing up liquid before you fill it with clean water. If for some reason the whole limescale hasn’t gone after this treatment, you can repeat it one more time. Whatever the outcome is, you will have a cleaner kettle with less limescale. You can then drink your tea made in a clean kettle and enjoy its taste.
Cleaning the kettle from outside is very straight forward. You need to unplug it first and wash it by hand with a washing up liquid and a dishwashing sponge. Scrub every part of the kettle to remove any dirt and grease it might have on its surface. Depending on whether it is a plastic, metal or stainless steel material, you need to be careful not to scratch it. If there is a possibility to damage it, use a cloth or a soft sponge to clean it rather than a harsh sponge. After you have washed it, you need to rinse it with warm water and leave it to dry before you fill it with clean water and plug it.
How To Clean Your Food Processor
Food processors make cooking easier due to their ability to slice, chop and shred food products for your recipes instantly. Moreover, it cuts the ingredients into equal parts which make your meal looking good. The food processor needs to be cleaned after each use, though and below are outlined some easy steps how to do it.
Before you start cleaning your food processor, you need to take it apart as food goes into every part of it. The components of the food processor are delicate as they are made from plastic, and it is recommended you clean them by hand instead of using a dishwasher. If your food processor parts are suitable for washing in a dishwasher and you prefer this method of cleaning, place them on the top shelve of the dishwasher to prevent heat damage.
The slicing disks and all other parts could be cleaned with a washing up liquid and warm water. After you remove every food part, rinse thoroughly and leave them on a towel to dry. You can polish the blade of the food processor by using a hand brush, and you need to take extra care not to cut yourself when cleaning it. The brush is also useful for the difficult to reach areas where food often gets stuck.
It is effortless to clean the outside of the food processor. A damp or wet cloth will do the job, but if there are any dried food parts, you could use a brush to scrub it gently. Avoid using hard brushes to avoid making scratches on the body of the food processor. It is not recommended washing it under running water as you may damage the electrical part.
Take Care Of Your Aluminium Utensils
Aluminium utensils are popular kitchen items because of their lightness, durability and ease of use and maintenance. The various patinas and finishes that can be given to aluminium also make it a common metal for decorative household and office items. Cleaning aluminium cookware is something that you must do as soon as the use of the utensil is over to prevent stains developing and the finish getting damaged. Besides the regular post-use cleaning, a regular maintenance schedule that covers the following steps will help to keep your aluminium cookware looking good for years.
Begin by giving the utensil a regular wash with detergent and water to remove surface dirt. Make a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar, lemon juice or cream of tartar mixed in one quart of water. Using these proportions make enough of the solution to fill the utensil. Place the utensil on a stove and turn the heat to medium (do not try using a high heat setting to save time – the effect will not be as good). If you have any small aluminium utensils that need cleaning and can fit in the one on the stove, place them inside – they will be cleaned too.
Allow the water to come to a boil and turn down the heat to a simmer. Allow the simmering to continue for about ten minutes or until the stains are gone. Now take the utensil off the stove and drain away the water. Wait till it has cooled and wearing rubber gloves gently scrub the inner surfaces with steel wool. Rub in a back-and-forth motion only, and a circular rub will cause the finish to look uneven. And remember that steel wool can scratch aluminium, so do not rub too hard.
That takes care of the cleaning to the inside of the utensil. If the outside also needs cleaning, use a mild non-abrasive cleaner or polish. If you want to give a shine to the inside of the utensil, do not use a detergent. Just fill it with water, drop in some apple peels and boil the water for a few minutes. Drain off the water. The shine will have returned to the inner surfaces.
