Cleaning Small Kitchen Appliances

Tips for cleaning small kitchen appliances.

You keep a nice clean house. Your cabinets sparkle. The laundry's always done. You could eat off your floors. OK, most of the time, anyway.

But how long has it been since you cleaned your coffee maker? That's what I thought.

Let's face it: It's hard enough to get through your regular cleaning routine without worrying about toasters, waffle irons, and electric can openers. So small kitchen appliances are often overlooked. 

Most of us would clean the silly things - if we just knew how. Here's how to clean small kitchen appliances.

Cleaning Small Kitchen Appliances: The Toaster

To clean the toaster, unplug and shake out the crumbs over the trash can. Wipe down the toaster exterior with a damp sponge.

Cleaning a Coffeemaker

After each use, clean the pot and filter in warm, soapy water. Wipe the exterior of your coffeemaker with a damp cloth.

Once a month, mix a cup of water and white vinegar and run it through the coffeemaker. Follow with a pot of plain water to rinse it clean.

You could also buy commercial cleaners that do the same thing. But why?

Cleaning a Waffle Iron

Never wash the grids of a non-stick waffle iron with soap and water. Instead, wipe them clean with a paper towel after each use. 

If waffles stick to the iron, it should be seasoned again with vegetable oil.

Toaster Oven Cleaning

Clean the toaster oven's crumb tray after each use, scrub the racks as needed, and clean the exterior with a damp sponge.

Cleaning an Electric Can Opener

Remove the electric can opener's cutting wheels and soak them in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Then, scrub with an old toothbrush. Wipe the rest of the electric can opener clean with a damp sponge.

For best results, clean after each use. Wait for it to cool, then unplug and wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge. 

If it's greasy, wipe it with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water, then wipe it with a wet sponge to remove any soapy residue.

Be sure not to immerse any electrical units in water. Use baking soda in water to clean exterior metal surfaces and window washing solution for plastic or enamel ones.