Birds chirp, flowers bloom and deep spring cleaning begins! There’s a lot to accomplish this season. In all the cleaning hustle, don’t forget your small kitchen appliances. Small appliances are the perfect way to begin your spring-cleaning process because they’re quick and simple to clean, giving you instant gratification and squeaky-clean results.
Kitchen Deep Cleaning: Small Appliance Checklist
Coffee maker & tea kettle
If you need an easy win to kickstart your spring cleaning, begin by descaling your coffee maker and tea kettle. This is an important step in prolonging the life of your machines and keeping them brewing great-tasting coffee and tea. Thankfully, it’s a quick and easy task.
To descale, simply fill your machine with a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar. For your tea kettle, give it a boil then let it sit for 20 minutes. Discard the vinegar solution and scrub with a bottle brush. Give it a good rinse and your kettle will be ready for another year of cozy tea.
For your coffee maker, run it like you would a regular pot of coffee with equal parts water and white vinegar. Once finished, give it a good rinse with a few cycles of fresh water.
And, with that, your spring-cleaning list just got a little shorter!
Coffee bean and whole-spice grinder
First, empty out any coffee beans or spices from the grinder by giving it a good shake to remove loose particles. All removable parts can be washed with warm, soapy water. All parts attached to the electric base can be cleaned with a small brush or damp cleaning cloth. Be sure all parts dry thoroughly before putting them back in the grinder.
Toaster
Unplug your toaster and remove the crumb tray located at the bottom of the toaster. Give the tray a good shake over the garbage (or compost) to get rid of loose crumbs, then wash it in hot, soapy water. To get rid of those final, clinging bread crumbs, gently shake your toaster upside down. Return the tray and voila – you’re done!
Microwave
One of the easiest ways to clean your microwave is to place a bowl of water inside and run it on high for a few minutes. The rising steam will loosen stuck-on food, allowing you to wipe down the interior and remove hard-to-clean grime. Once finished, wash the bowl in hot, soapy water.
Blender
To clean your blender, fill it halfway with warm water and add a drop of dish soap. Turn it on for a minute or two before rinsing with hot water. Allow the machine to air dry and you’re ready for blending action once again!
Food processor & juicer
Disassemble the food processor or juicer and wash all parts in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and air dry or wipe them down with a clean dish towel.
Waffle iron & panini press
Unplug your waffle maker or panini press and brush away loose crumbs with a pastry brush or toothbrush. If the plates are removable, wash them in warm, soapy water, rinse well and let dry.
If plates aren’t removable, wipe them down as best you can. If there’s still grime, mix two tablespoons baking soda in 1/2-cup hot water, then pour the mixture onto the plates. Let the mixture sit for up to ten minutes. Wipe down with a clean, wet cloth.
Portable grill
Start by preheating your grill to high heat. Use a wire brush to scrub the grates clean. Once the grates are clean, turn the grill off and allow it cool.
Stand mixer
Unplug your stand mixer and remove the bowl and attachments. Wash the bowl and attachments in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
Slow cooker
Fill your slow cooker with hot, soapy water and turn on low heat for a few hours. Let cool to a manageable temperature, rinse and wipe down to remove leftover spots.
Instant pot
Unplug your instant pot and remove the lid, seal and inner pot. Wash in warm, soapy water, then rinse and air dry. If some pieces are not removable, wipe them down with a soapy cloth, then wipe away any residue with a wet cloth. Air dry before reassembling.
Air fryer
To clean your air fryer, start by removing the basket and giving it a good shake to get rid of any loose crumbs. Then, let the basket soak in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes. In the meantime, wipe down the interior of the air fryer with warm, soapy water followed by a damp cloth.
Scrub away food stains and rinse. Once you’ve let everything air dry, flip the unit upside down and gently scrub away greasy spots (such as the fan blades) using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a mixture of comet and water.
Food dehydrator
Unplug your food dehydrator and remove the trays. Wash the trays in warm, soapy water, taking care to pick away any dried-on foods. (A toothpick works well to get in-between the trays). Rinse the trays with hot water and let them air dry.
Finishing your spring clean with style
There you have it – a quick and easy guide to cleaning your small appliances. You’re well on your way to a solid spring clean, and that much closer to summer-ready! But, before you go, don’t forget to give each of your small appliances a quick wipe down on the exterior to really make them shine!
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