It’s that time of year, spring cleaning is in the air! While scrubbing appliances may not be the first chore to cross your mind, your appliances should be at the top of your cleaning checklist. Proper maintenance and care of your household appliances can increase their effectiveness and life span, as well as decrease possible safety risks. Follow this checklist to learn how to deep clean your major appliances.

How To Deep Clean Your Appliances

A guide to spring cleaning can’t ignore how to deep clean appliances. Here’s how to keep these key players in tip-top shape:

Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

• Empty the contents of the refrigerator and dispose of any expired or spoiled food.
• Remove all removable shelves, drawers, and other components.
• Wash removable components with warm, soapy water, and dry them thoroughly.
• Use a soft cloth and a mixture of water and vinegar to clean the interior walls and doors.

For more information about how to deep clean your refrigerator, click here. 

Clean Glass Stove Top Without Scratching It

Before you begin to clean your glass stove, make sure it’s cooled down completely.

• Wipe off any loose debris, crumbs, or burnt-on food with a cloth or plastic scraper.
• Use a water-vinegar mixture to spray onto the glass surface.
• Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the solution into the surface.
• Rinse the stove top with a damp cloth, and use a dry cloth to prevent streaks or water spots.

For more tips on tackling tough stains on your glass stove top, check out our complete guide.

Clean Your Dishwasher and Filter

If you’ve started to notice unpleasant odors coming from your dishwasher, or your dishes aren’t coming out clean, it may be time for a deep clean!

• Remove the bottom rack to access the dishwasher filter.
• Remove filter and scrub it gently with a soft cloth and warm soapy, water.
• Rinse the filter with water before replacing it.
• Next, place an Affresh dishwasher tablet in the detergent dispenser, or use a dishwasher-safe container filled with vinegar on the top rack.
• Run the hottest cycle and repeat as necessary to prevent odors and maintain proper function.

Is odor or performance still affecting your dishwasher’s performance? Learn how to clean the spray arms and other tips here!

Clean the Inside of Your Washer

As you may know, front-load washers require special attention to prevent odors from mold growth and detergent build-up.

• Empty the washer completely.
• Run the hottest water setting cycle using Affresh Washing Machine Tablets or a mixture of vinegar and water.
• Remove any residue or mold buildup on the door seals by wiping them down.
• Remember to leave the door open after each cycle to prevent the growth of mold by ensuring proper ventilation. 

Lingering odors? Learn where in your washer they could be coming from, how to remove them, and how to prevent them with our guide.

Remove Lint Buildup from Your Dryer

Cleaning the lint trap before or after every cycle is crucial to preventing performance issues and fire risks.

• Remove the lint trap and rinse it with warm soapy water to remove buildup.
• Use a vacuum with a long attachment to remove lint and debris from the filter compartment.
• Next, disconnect the venting from the dryer and the wall.
• Vacuum the venting to remove lint from both ends.
• Remove the exhaust hood from the exterior of your home and vacuum lint or debris.

For the best performance, it’s recommended to clean the exhaust vent annually to prevent lint buildup. Want more tips on how to maintain your dryers’ performance?