Cleaning Pros Say Most People Aren't Cleaning These Appliances Often Enough
Well, this is a wakeup call.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm quick to forget about cleaning household appliances. Sure, I'll wipe down the kitchen and clean the bathrooms a few times per week, but it never really crosses my mind to go beyond that unless the appliance is visibly dirty.
I'm not sure what that says about me and my level of adulting, but I'm determined to make my living space even cleaner and more functional. So, I spoke with two experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute about appliances you should clean more often. Here, they share insights into the ones you'll want to keep an eye on, along with practical tips for cleaning them quickly and efficiently. Spoiler alert: You need to clean your ice maker more than once a year, even if it looks OK.
Coffee maker
If you use your coffee machine regularly, you’ll want to clean it regularly too. "It’s easy for coffee makers to collect residue from minerals in the water and oils in the coffee beans," says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliances Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "If your coffee maker has a removable water reservoir, I recommend washing that with soapy water and a bottle brush every couple of weeks. I'd also wash the plastic parts at least once a week to prevent coffee residue buildup."
You should descale your coffee maker any time you start to notice changes to the flavor, or when your coffee maker prompts you to do so.
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Ice maker
There's nothing like a chilly glass of water on a hot day, and ice makers built into your refrigerator make them even easier to enjoy. However, they are prone to buildup over time, according to Papantoniou. "Some ice makers tell you when to descale it and when to sanitize it, and I would stick closely to those recommendations," she says. "Otherwise, you should descale it every couple of weeks and sanitize it every month or so."
It’s also wise to wash all the extra parts every couple of weeks just to keep it clean for future use.
Water filter pitcher
Utilizing a water filter pitcher can come in handy, especially if you’re trying to cut back on your household’s single-use plastics. "Some filters can last up to six months, but you should clean the reservoir and pitcher every couple of weeks," says Papantoniou. "You’ll start to notice buildup and that the water looks a little murky. You don’t want to let it get to that point."
Air fryer
Air fryers might slip your mind, but they shouldn’t be overlooked—especially if you use yours often.
"Think of them like cookware," says Papantoniou. "The basket and tray should be washed well after every use to prevent buildup, uneven cooking, odors, and possible smoking or fires."
If you're unsure how to clean your air fryer, refer to the instructional manual for best practices.
Stove
It’s much easier to wipe down your stove after cooking than to wait until spills settle and build up, reminds Papantoniou. "I’ve learned to love a round sponge for my gas range since it gets around the burners well," she says. You can clean most glass cooktops with a degreaser and a sponge.
Washing machine
You might toss your dirty clothes in the washing machine and call it a day, but Noah Pinsonnault, an analyst in Good Housekeeping’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, says you should clean your washing machine about once a month.
"Without regular cleaning, washing machines can develop a film of detergent residue and laundry soils, and front-loaders are prone to odors," he explains. "Run a cleaning cycle if your machine has one with a full bleach dispenser or use a washing machine cleaner like Affresh."
If your machine doesn’t have a dedicated cleaning cycle, just run a normal cycle with the hottest water setting and then follow it with a rinse cycle to remove any residual bleach or cleaner.
Thermal coffee carafe
If you use a thermal coffee carafe regularly, then you probably know how they pick up coffee flavors quite easily. "You should hand wash it well after every use with warm, soapy water and a bottle brush," says Papantoniou. "That said, I’d recommend using something like Bottle Bright to deep clean it monthly as it contains citric acid which breaks down coffee oils and will keep your carafe and coffee tasting fresh."
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
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