clean your large appliances
You spend a lot of money on them, so keep them working at their best with these simple tips…
Get your white goods sparkling again
1 START WITH THE WASHING MACHINE
First, remove the drawer and scrub it clean of any residue using an old toothbrush and hot soapy water. replace it, add 250ml of white vinegar to the drum and run a hot water cycle. When finished, open the door and wipe around the seal using a damp cloth to remove any hair or lint and give the whole exterior a wipe down, too.
2 TACKLE THE DISHWASHER
remove the lower rack and fish any trapped bits of food out of the drain. replace the rack and pour 250ml of vinegar into the bottom, then start a hot cycle. When that’s finished, sprinkle the base with around 100g of bicarbonate of soda and run another hot cycle. When done, wipe a cloth around the door seal and over the front door of the machine.
3 SCRUB THE OVEN
if you clean yours regularly and it just needs freshening up, mix 2tsp baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste, cover the inside of your oven with it and leave overnight. the next day, spritz the surface with white vinegar (it’ll foam up) then scrub away the residue. if your oven is really dirty, you could opt for one of the many chemical oven cleaner kits on the market. Look for one that has bags to put your oven racks into, to make them easier to clean – and always wear gloves.
4 CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE FREEZER
First, unplug it and remove the freezer drawers, covering them with a few tea towels to help keep the contents cold. Leave your freezer door open to defrost any build-up of ice. remove the contents from your fridge. Wash the drawers and shelves in warm soapy water and leave to dry. Wipe the doors and seals, then replace the fridge contents. chip away at any ice deposits in the freezer using a plastic spatula before replacing the drawers. clean the coil at the back with a vacuum that has a dusting attachment. Plug back in.