None of the mistakes I made had to do with the recipe or ingredients. It was my oven.
A complete hour went into prepping a baked salmon dish accompanied by lemon and assorted herbs. But, to my surprise, the fish had a peculiar aftertaste. It was neither smoky nor burnt; it was just “off.” Later, I realized that the grime in my oven had accumulated into some sort of “seasoning” over time.
If you’ve ever pondered why your coffee tastes different or your microwave has an odd smell even after cleaning—you are at the right place. I intend to explain the precise steps towards deep cleaning done to kitchen appliances without transforming a weekend into a deep drama.
My approach is straightforward: easy steps, genuine product recommendations, and tested tricks. Together, we can declutter the chaos in the kitchen.
Why Deep Cleaning Appliances Matters More Than We Think
This is the part that caught me off guard: even countertops that appear pristine can pose a deceitful dilemma.
Cleaning just means wiping some surfaces for many of us. You may be surprised to learn what else lurks in our beloved appliances like oil, crumbs, mold, burnt-on splatter, etc. Hence, the food we cook may be affected in the long run. For example, the oven may be stealing heat due to some layer and the fridge can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Damage Done By Not Cleaning It
- Your microwave will have stale air.
- Your dishwasher will give off a musty odor.
- Stovetop grease will clog all filters.
- Sometimes your coffee maker can even grow mold.
What might change our lives is reclaiming taste, energy efficiency, and hygiene which starts with proper cleaning.
False claim: “Deep Cleaning Takes A Long Time”
I’ve also faced the false claim that proper cleaning would take a lot of efforts. We can start somewhere we think we wouldn’t like.
The only improvement we need to make is switch an entire Saturday dedicated to scrubbing, to breaking scrub sessions into 15 minutes.
Creating Cleaning Rituals
Take each day of the weekend to scrub one part and finally Sunday can be a clean day where you scrub everything.
This way wasn’t just effective in changing my mindset about cleaning, but became a whole kitchen skincare ritual.
My 5-Step Routine to Clean Deep Every Time
Let me explain the steps I take to clean any appliance in the simplest way:
📌 Five Step Process (Universal For All Appliances)
1. Turn off and unplug the appliance
2. Take out all removable components: trays, racks, and filters.
3. Use the appropriate cleaner (homemade or store bought).
4. Allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes.
5. Wipe, rinse, dry, and assemble parts in their designated place
This sequential format can be utilized on ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, air-fryers, etc.
My pro tip? Set a timer. When tackling cleaning chores, always setting a timer will always give an end goal.
Natural Cleaning Solutions That Actually Work
This is where it all shifted for me: My cleaning routine drastically changed once I focused on a few main ingredients instead of purchasing five different cleaning sprays.
📌 My Important DIY Green Cleaning Recipes
- Ovens, glass doors, and stovetops: use white vinegar combined and baking soda.
- Microwaves and odor removal: use lemon juice and water.
- Salt and boiling water for greasy tray and metal rack.
- Plastic screen and baby’s shampoo for delicate work.
What To Avoid (I learned the hard way)
- Never ever use Aluminum vinegar, as it will corrode.
- Bleach should be avoided around food appliances due to the smell.
- Cleaners should be tried on corners first.
These safety combinations are simple yet powerful. What’s better? Your kitchen does not smell like a lab, but a lemon grove.
The Ultimate Appliance Cleaning Schedule (That I Actually Follow)
After the trial and error stage and an incident with melting plastic, I’ve developed a cleaning guide.
You can print, pin, or screenshot this guide. Just don’t wing it the way I used to.
📊 My Appliance Deep Clean
| Appliance | How Often | My Favorite Method |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Monthly | Baking soda paste + vinegar spray |
| Microwave | Biweekly | Lemon water steam + cloth wipe |
| Refrigerator | Every 3 weeks | Mild soap + warm water + microfiber |
| Dishwasher | Monthly | Dishwasher tab + vinegar rinse |
| Coffee Maker | Every 2 weeks | Descaling solution or lemon rinse |
The Mistakes I Made — and What I Do Differently Now
As far as embarrassing secrets go, this was pretty low on the list: I tried cleaning my microwave with steel wool and ended up breaking it. Yikes.
📌 What I Did Wrong (So You Don’t Have To)
- Scrubbed delicate parts using rough cleaning pads
- Cleaned components with electronics too close
- Never unplugged the appliances
- Left them damp which resulted in mold
What I have learned to do instead
- Use soft cleaning sponges only
- Always read the manual, it’s worth it
- Never plug back in until everything is dried first
- Complete the task zone by zone, never all at once
If you’re as impatient as me, these changes are life-changing. It’s all about pacing with cleaning tasks and getting things done in the right order.
My Routines When I Am Extremely Busy
For those busy days when everything seems as if it’s too much.
What you need is not a deep clean —what you need is an efficient reset.
Life is much easier with hacks, including Making Cleaning Easy
- Cleaning as I Microwave,
Set a timer for boiling lemon water in the microwave while multi-tasking on cooking.
- Cleaning the Oven Will Be Done Most Effectively While It’s Still Warm,
While vinegar is being sprayed into the oven, it will loosen tough grime from the glass door.
- Rinsing frigde drawers while unloading groceries
Wiping coffee maker parts right after they are used,
These small acts of cleaning will add up together. It is a technique I call ‘living clean’.
Cleaning Between Deep Cleans is How I Maintain My Clean
Let me illustrate how this has transformed my life:
Through maintenance cleaning, I have reduced the need for extensive cleaning sessions
📌 My 3 Golden Rules
- Take 10-20 seconds when needed — remove any rubbish that accumulates.
- Wipe after use — only a damp cloth is needed.
- Сhouting parts — do not allow stains to dry.
Do a weekly scan to tell your true feelings — every Sunday claim the 10 minutes as me-time.
This is why it works
It’s not only the outdated stains that are the issue, it’s the mental strain as well.
Ensuring you maintain a calm and collected head space allows the rest of the home to feel open and ready to deep clean, as well as ensuring you’re ahead of the mess.
The Kitchen is Empowering, Rather than Empowered, That Wins
Insta-ready and perfectionist approaches aren’t necessary for deep cleaning.
Allows you to take a breather and is a simplified form of care.
Whatever portion of it gets done, no matter if it is just cleaning the microwave, it is part of a greater goal: letting in freshness.
✨ Save this piece if it assists you to reset for another season.
👉 What is your go to tip for cleaning? Tell me in the comments.
