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You aren’t cleaning these appliances often enough, say kitchen pros
Well, this is a wake-up 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 a 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 as good as new.
Coffee machine
If you use your coffee machine regularly, you’ll need to clean it regularly, too. ‘It’s easy for coffee machines 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 machine 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 build-up.’
You should descale your coffee machine any time you start to notice changes to the flavour, or when your machine prompts you to do so.
Related: How to clean a Nespresso machine
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’re prone to build-up over time, according to Nicole. ‘Some ice makers tell you when to descale it and when to sanitise it, and I would stick closely to those recommendations,’ she says. ‘Otherwise, you should descale it every couple of weeks and sanitise 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 jug
A water filter jug 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 jug every couple of weeks,’ says Nicole. ‘You’ll start to notice build-up 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 Nicole. ‘The basket and tray should be washed well after every use to prevent build-up, uneven cooking, odours and possible smoking or fires.’
If you’re unsure how to clean your air fryer, refer to the manual for best practice.
Hob
It’s much easier to wipe down your hob after cooking than to wait until spills settle and build up, Nicole advises. ‘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 hobs with a degreaser and a microfibre cloth. Wait until it’s cooled down, but ideally still warm, before you start cleaning.
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 they’re prone to odours,’ he explains. ‘Run a cleaning cycle if your machine has one, or use a washing machine cleaner like Dr. Beckmann.’
If your machine doesn’t have a dedicated cleaning cycle, just run an empty cycle on the hottest water setting (minimum 60 degrees). Run a service wash once a month, and use a proprietary cleaner every three to six months.
Related: This one-second habit will stop your washing machine smelling - and it's not open the door
Thermal coffee carafe
If you use a thermal coffee carafe regularly, then you probably know that it picks up coffee flavours quite easily. ‘You should hand-wash it well after every use with warm, soapy water and a bottle brush,’ says Nicole. ‘That said, I’d recommend using something like Bottle Bright to deep-clean it once a month, as it contains citric acid, which breaks down coffee oils and will keep your carafe and coffee tasting fresh.’
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