Appliance Cleaning Tricks

Microwave Ovens

• Spilled food in your microwave will burn next time you use the appliance and cause an offensive odor. To wipe the spills away, first pour 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of lemon juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the solution in the appliance for about five minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave. The solution creates steam that dissolves any greasy buildup or food debris. Remove the bowl carefully to avoid burns, and wipe the appliance immediately with a damp sponge. It may be necessary to repeat this method two or three times if you burned something in your microwave that has a strong odor, such as popcorn.

Stove Top

• Cleaning a stove top is a chore that many people dread because stuck-on food and debris is often quite difficult to remove. Allow the area to cool, and remove the drip pans and grates if your stove is not a ceramic or glass top. Soak them in a sink full of warm water with dishwasher detergent in it while you treat the stove top. Smear a dollop of dishwasher detergent gel onto the spill, or apply a wet paste of powdered dishwasher detergent and water. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes to loosen the debris, and use a damp sponge to wipe it up. If it doesn't wipe up quickly, add a few drops of water to the detergent gel or paste and allow it to soak another 15 minutes. Rinse the area well with a damp sponge after cleaning.

Coffee Maker

• Residue builds up in your coffee maker over time, giving your morning cup of coffee a foul taste. To remove buildup, put a clean filter into the filter basket. Pour hot water into the water reservoir, and drop a denture cleaning tablet into the reservoir as well. Let it sit for about five minutes to completely dissolve the tablet. Turn the coffee maker on and let it fill the carafe. Allow the carafe to cool, and empty it. Replace the filter with a clean one and run the coffee maker through another cycle, using fresh water only.

Dishwashers

• Many people rinse their dishes and put them inside a dishwasher to keep them out of sight, but they don't run the machine until it is full. This practice, along with the regular use of the appliance, can leave it with a foul odor. Clean the interior of the dishwasher by filling the detergent reservoirs with white distilled vinegar. Run it through a regular cycle without any dishes inside to leave it sparkling clean and odor-free.