Modern home appliances make our chores a whole lot easier – right?

But when one of them stops working properly, or worse, stops functioning altogether, it can cause absolute chaos at home. 

Usually, these problems occur due to improper maintenance of these appliances – the problem is, it sometimes needs to be clarified how to do that. 

This is why you should use our professional tips on how to clean appliances. 

How To Clean Your Washing Machine

When detergent residue builds up in washing machines, it severely impacts the machine’s ability to properly clean clothes and other fabrics. 

DIY Cleaning

  • Ensure you’re using the hottest water setting, and add some vinegar or bleach to the drum to break up the grime in there. 
  • Remember to clean the gaskets each time you clean your washing machine – especially if it’s a front-load machine. 
  • Use a mixture of vinegar and water to get rid of foul smells.
  • If you have some really stubborn mould, use an equal mix of bleach and water. 
  • Remember to clean the detergent trays too. Old soap buildup can cause blockages and adversely affect how your washing machine cleans your clothes. And cleaning them is simple; you only need to wipe the trays down with a clean, damp cloth. 
  • Allow your washing machine drum to air-dry with the door open after you complete each wash cycle to prevent mould buildup.

When You’re Short On Time

Nowadays, many machines come with a self-cleaning function. However, to boost the effectiveness of the self-cleaning function;

  • Add a little white vinegar or bleach to the drum before turning on the function. 

Warning: Don’t mix bleach with vinegar. When combined, they form a type of chlorine gas that can cause several – sometimes severe – health complications.

How To Clean Your Dryer

If you find that your clothes always seem a little damp or that they smell bad after being in a dryer cycle – it’s probably due to an issue with the dryer. 

Check For Residue

  • Lint traps do collect a fair amount of fibres during each cycle. So every couple of months (depending on how often you use your dryer), remove the lint trap and gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. 
  • Always let it air-dry before fixing it back into your dryer. 

Tip: If you have a vacuum with an attachment for tiny crevices, you can alternately use this to zap lint from the lint trap quickly.

Wipe Down The Drum 

  • Make a DIY cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
  • Spray the solution into the drum.
  • Once you’ve sprayed the inside, wipe the drum dry using a clean microfiber cloth.

How To Clean Your Refrigerator

Since your fridge keeps your food fresh and healthy, it’s a home appliance that needs to be well-maintained. 

Empty Your Fridge

  • Remove all the items from your fridge, including the glass shelves. 
  • Dispose of all expired and spoilt food items. 
  • Clean the shelves with warm soapy water, then rinse with clean water. 
  • Ensure you clean the gasket, too – as grime, grease, and crumbs can get stuck there. 

Tip: While it might not be necessary each time, you should also clean your refrigerator condenser coils. 

  • First, unplug your fridge.
  • Use a soft brush – or even a vacuum with a brush attachment – and give the coils a once-over. 

Use A Homemade Cleaning Solution

  • While there are plenty of commercial cleaning solutions available, homemade cleaning solutions are the simplest and safest to use by yourself. 
  • Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of hot – but not boiling – water. If you also need to get rid of stale and foul smells, use a 1:1 ratio mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Clean The Exterior 

  • Here’s how to clean appliances’ exterior. Give the outside of your fridge a wipe-down with mild dishwashing soap and warm water solution. Once it’s sparkling again, wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth. 

How To Clean Your Dishwasher

A clean, well-functioning dishwasher means spotless dishes – nobody wants to eat food from dirty plates. 

Clean the Filter

  • First things first, check the filter and the drain. You’ll likely find food particles in both areas.
  • You should remove these food particles before continuing with the cleaning process.

Clean All Gaskets And Seals 

  • It’s important to keep gaskets well-maintained because if they don’t close properly, it will cause quite a bit of damage to your dishwasher – so wipe them down at least once a month.
  • To wipe them down, use a clean cloth and a cleaning solution of warm water and dishwashing soap. In case you need to use something stronger, use white vinegar instead. 
  • Pay attention to the spray arm. Here’s what you should do:
    • Wipe the spray arms with a clean, damp cloth, then use a toothpick to dislodge or remove food particles or debris.

Making a DIY Cleaning Solution For Your Dishwasher

Pantry staples like baking soda and vinegar save a lot of time, money, and effort too! Why? Well, white vinegar can break up grime, grease, and soap residue – while baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent that removes stains and tackles odours. 

Here’s how you can use this DIY solution to clean your appliances:

  • First, take a dishwasher-safe bowl, pour in 1 cup of white vinegar, and put it on the lower rack of your dishwasher. 
  • Then run your dishwasher on a hot water cycle. 
  • When this cycle is done, sprinkle a little baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher and run it on the shortest cycle available. 
  • If you see any residue remaining, simply run your dishwasher on a short, eco mode, and voila! You’ll have a clean, sparkling dishwasher on your hands!

Finally, if you still find that there is a lot of residue, stubborn grime or stale smells left over, or if this all sounds too much to handle, you can always call professional cleaners to clean appliances and take these tasks off your plate!