Dirty Kitchen Appliances? Here’s How To Clean Them, From Stove Tops To Air Fryers

I am not a clean freak. I’d never learned how to clean a stove top, or the best way to refresh my fridge. I didn’t think I needed to — just wipe and go, you know?

That’s what I thought, at least, until I found out how disgusting all of my appliances are, because I’m not cleaning them as often as I should. And I know I’m not alone in this. I previously wrote an article on how to clean a bunch of your bigger appliances – washing machine, oven, dishwasher, etc. –  but I didn’t think about all of the kitchen items, like my blender, microwave, toaster…the list goes on.

So, I found out how to take care of that microwave you half-clean, the stovetop you don’t know how to clean, or the air fryer you simply don’t realize you need to clean (like, every day). And don’t forget the blender, the toaster, the fridge…if this sounds like you, yep, it’s time for a cleaning overhaul. Here are my tips to make your appliances shine again.

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The Essentials For Cleaning

Before we begin, there are specific items you definitely need in order to get into the nooks and crannies, as well as adequately wipe and scrape without damaging your appliances. We recommend these to prepare you for the following cleaning methods!


Microwave 

Cleaning your microwave frequently is important. Things splatter, explode, drip…and it gets gross when they sit there, collecting bacteria.

To get that grossness out, simply fill a microwave-safe bowl halfway with water, squeeze half of a lemon into the bowl, microwave for five minutes, and boom: your microwave is now ready to be wiped away with a paper towel or cloth. 

Sometimes, there are just some stains that have hardened and won’t come off. If that’s the case, you might want to steam it with vinegar, spray with a gentle cleaner, or use wipes specifically for microwaves.


Stove Top 

Everyone’s stovetop becomes a mess at some point. Who wants to clean after cooking a large meal? I certainly don’t, and yes, I’m aware that that needs to change. In my defense, I didn’t even know how to clean my stove top. Turns out it’s pretty easy.

When cleaning your stovetop, it’s important to wipe it down and collect anything that doesn’t need to be targeted, like crumbs or removable remnants that come off with a little elbow grease. Next, sprinkle the stovetop with baking soda, then spray with white vinegar until it begins to fizz.

After you’ve seen the fizz, take a towel and soak it with hot, soapy water. Lay it on top of the stovetop, which will then start the baking soda reaction (which does most of the work). Wait 15 minutes, then scrub away at any tough spots and wipe away the baking soda with the towel. Finally, use white vinegar one more time to get rid of any leftover spots.


Blender 

Yes, you can often place some parts in the dishwasher and let it do its thing. But there are blenders out there that are not waterproof, and the carafe is the only part you can clean easily. Here’s the low-down. 

 
 
 
 
 
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There are a few ways to go about cleaning the carafe, the easiest being to fill it with dish soap and hot water, then run it for 30 seconds. If there are stains, adding a lemon that’s been coarsely chopped can help rinse these away. Finally, using a tough sponge, like a steel wool sponge, can get the harder spots that simple blending can’t get out. 

When it comes to the base, wringing out a washcloth or sponge that’s been dipped in warm, soapy water will get rid of the easy spots. You do not want to wash the base – it’s an electrical hazard waiting to happen. Finally, dry it gently with a washcloth. 

If the control buttons are getting grimy, use a Q-tip or toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol, then scrub away. The alcohol will evaporate on its own, but if there are any wet spots left, use a washcloth until it’s dry. 

Lastly, the blades. This is what gets the brunt of your blended food – they’re doing the (literal) dirty work. But trying to clean it through the carafe can be dangerous, and using a sponge doesn’t get into its hard-to-reach parts. So, remove the blade entirely, use a wet sponge to clean as much surface area as you can, and then take a toothbrush to the nooks and crannies.


Air Fryer

“Air fryers don’t use much oil, so there’s no grease!” Sorry to break it to you, but the amount of grease in there is…a lot. And you should be cleaning it after every single use. And I’m not just talking a quick wipe down – a full wash is necessary.

Obvs, you can’t just dip your entire machine in water (unless you’re into getting electrocuted). But you should be washing the basket, tray, and pan with soap and water each time you finish using it. Do not use anything that can ruin the non-stick interior, such as metal, steel wire brushes, or even sponges tough enough to scratch. 

Even if you’re washing it after each use, it needs a deep clean every now and then, too. As always, you’ll take out the baskets and pans and wash with warm, soapy water. If they’re covered in food remnants or grease, submerge them into the water, then scrub (again, with a gentle sponge!). 

 
 
 
 
 
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Now that the pans and baskets are out of the way, it’s time to get to the interior of your air fryer. Using a non-abrasive sponge or gentle towel, use a small amount of dish soap to suds up, then wipe away with a damp – not dripping wet – washcloth.

Next, turn the machine upside-down and wipe down the heating piece. If there’s any hardened residue, take baking soda and water and mix them into a paste. Using a soft-bristle brush – or a gentle toothbrush – scrub away the caked-on residue, then wipe off the mixture with a clean washcloth.

Finally, take a damp cloth and wipe the exterior. You don’t have to scrub this part – just wipe off dust and any other spots.

Let everything air dry before reassembling, and you’re done!


Toaster

Just think about how many crumbs are sitting in the bottom of your toaster and burning up – kinda gross to think your current bread is touching super old bread, right? Cleaning out your toaster regularly probably isn’t something you think about, but it’s absolutely something you should be doing.

 
 
 
 
 
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Most toasters have crumb trays, which can usually be removed by pulling out a raised lip on one side of the toaster. All you have to do is grab it, dump crumbs in the trash, then wash with hot, soapy water. It’s a small tray, so using a toothbrush is your best bet. Dry it well – even drying it directly, then air drying to be extra safe – and place it back into your toaster.


Fridge and Freezer 

Your fridge and freezer desperately need to be cleaned regularly. After all, they hold all types of food – including some that leak, are expired, or carry residue from where they were sitting before they were put in the fridge. (Think about how many hands touched that milk carton before you.)

Learning how to clean your fridge might seem daunting, and, yeah, it takes more effort than cleaning your stove top. But it’s super important to keep the place your food sits up to snuff.

 
 
 
 
 
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First step to cleaning out your fridge and freezer: pull out all food and get rid of everything that’s spoiled. For those of us with stuffed fridges, this can cause a headache – pulling out everything can take a while. But you’ll be happy to throw away that moldy cheese that’s been sitting in the back for god knows how long. 

Next, take out any removable parts, like shelves and drawers. You want your fridge to be as barren as possible, so you can see the whole thing. Plus, these shelves will need to be deep cleaned with hot, soapy water (now, before you do anything else).

Once you’ve washed and dried your fridge and freezer’s accessories, it’s time to tackle the entire appliance. To start, take a soapy, hot towel and wipe down every area (including items that can’t be removed, like shelving), then dry with a washcloth. This removes lighter grime.

 
 
 
 
 
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Now we get a biiiit more intense. Mix one tablespoon of liquid bleach with one gallon of hot water, and clean every inch. Do not use pure bleach, because this can damage the interiors of your appliances. Make sure to wear gloves so you’re not in direct contact with the bleach.

Once you’ve covered it in the bleach-water mix, wash with hot, soapy water again, then put the shelves and drawers back in. Tada – you have a clean fridge and freezer!


Now that I’ve written this article, I’ve fully disinfected everything in my kitchen. As we all know by now, I’m obsessed with kitchen appliances, so there was a lot to clean. And, yep — it was disgusting. But hey, the more you know, right? Never again will I let grease sit at the bottom of my air fryer for days or wonder how often I should clean my stove top — and neither should you. Hey, look at us — we’ve got our shit together. Feels nice.

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Do you know how to clean your appliances? Any cleaning products you swear by? Share with us in the comments!


For More House Cleaning Tips, Read These Articles:

Do You Know How To Clean Your Appliances? Don’t Worry – We Did The Research For You

These Common Cleaning Myths Have Had Us Fooled For Years

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