{31 Days to a Functional Kitchen} Day 7: Cleaning the Dishwasher

One would think that the dishwasher, an appliance designed to "clean" would be, well, clean.  However, if you have looked at the inside of your dishwasher, you may be surprised.  Food particles, paper labels, hard water deposits and grime can be seen upon a not so close inspection.

To ensure that your dishes are sparkling clean I recommend that once every couple of months (or more frequently if necessary) you do a quick cleaning.

1.  Remove visible debris - Pull out any loose debris on the bottom of the dishwasher.  Some units have a screen area that will collect these larger pieces of food, etc.

2.  Inspect the spray bars - Insure that the holes on the spray bars are free of debris and hard water deposits.  If necessary, take a small paring knife to scrape any mineral deposits away from the holes to insure that the water sprays properly and fully.

3.  Wipe down the interior - Using a sponge or soft rag and some hot soapy water, wipe down the interior of the dishwasher.  Pay special attention to the area where the door seals.  Wipe down the seals well and don't forget to wipe down the interior of the door itself.

 

4.  Run a disinfect/cleaning cycle with an empty dishwasher - Place a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid Lemonade concentrate into the soap dispenser and run your dishwasher on the hottest setting available.  The citric acid from the lemonade helps remove hard water deposits and grime.  The super hot water further disinfects the interior of the unit by killing any bacteria that may be found.  Make sure the unit is empty as the citric acid could etch your glass and stoneware.  Double advantage - your dishwasher smells lemon-fresh!

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY...

Don't assume that something that is used to "clean" is, in and of itself "clean". Neglecting to care for your appliances both inside and out can result in diminished performance.

Assignment:  Next time your dishwasher is empty, give it a quick once over.  Run a cycle using a packet of lemonade.  If you don't have lemonade, try putting a cup of vinegar on the bottom of your dishwasher and run a cycle. 

{31 Days to a Functional Kitchen} Day 2: Cleaning Behind/Under Appliances

If I have learned anything in recent months, maintaining our major appliance is so important.  In the past several of months we have replaced our washing machine and replaced the fan in our refridgerator.  I am not certain that cleaning would have helped the fate of my machines, however it can play a big part in the health of your appliances.

Today I took a few extra minutes while doing my floor and pulled out the appliances to clean under and behind them.  It is amazing the number of dust bunnies, crumbs and other "things" you might find under there!  Yuck (And please don't judge, it had been a year! Yikes!) 

For the longest time, cleaning under my appliances seemed like such a daunting task. I was sure that I would not be able to get it moved out without breaking it. But guess what, they have wheels and actually glide out quite easily. 

1.  Grab a broom and vaccuum and get to work! Sweep up the big stuff and vacuum up the small stuff.

2.  Fill your sink with some hot soapy water.  Grab a soft cloth or sponge and wipe down the walls, cabinets and the sides of the appliances.  I added a cup of vinegar to my water to help cut the grease.  In a few spots I used a magic eraser to get the stubborn, sticky stuff to come off.

 

3.  Now, clean the back of your appliances.  Use your vacuum cleaner hose attachment to clean any dust that has accumulated on the back of the appliances.  I also grabbed a can of compressed air and blew off the coils and elements.  I followed that up with another quick vaccuum and then wiped it down with a damp cloth.

4.  Next, grab a mop or rag and clean the floor.  I had a few stubborn spots that required a little extra muscle but overall, it wasn't so bad.  NOTE:  The more often you do this, the easier it is, trust me!

5.  Push the appliances back.  Remember, they are on wheels so this isn't too difficult.  The most difficult part is to make sure that you line them up to go in to the tight space.  Also, be sure to leave a little breathing space against the wall so that air can circulate and vent properly.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY...

Cleaning under and behind your major appliances is key to their long-term health and the safety within your kitchen.  Crumbs and dust can cause a fire.  Dust, dirt and grime on your refridgerator coils can cause the motor to overheat or not cool properly.

Assignment:  Grab your supplies, pull out your stove & fridge and get cleaning. When you are done, mark your calendar to do this monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly at the minimum.