Overview
A Kitchen is any room in your home where food is prepared that has a refrigerator, sink and cooking facilities.
This can include a full kitchen that has a Refrigerator/Freezer, Stovetop Range, Oven, Microwave Oven, sink, etc. Or it can be a ‘kitchenette,’ which has only a small refrigerator, a sink and a Microwave Oven.
Post-holiday Detox CheckList for your Kitchen
The holidays can be very hard on your kitchen, and your appliances may be feeling a bit “hungover.”
So January is a great time to “detox” your kitchen, and here is a handy checklist that you can use to get your kitchen appliances back in shape.
Kitchen Appliance Routine Care Checklist
Refrigerator
Vacuum condenser coils
Clean drain hole and drip pan
Clean and check door gasket
Clean/defrost inside of refrigerator
De-frost/clean freezer and ice-maker
Check inside temperature
Change water filter (if applicable)
Adjust front support feet
(helpful accessory: refrigerator coil brush; water filter refrigerator)
Stove
Clean range hood, filter, and fan
Clean reflector bowls
Clean control knobs
Clean burners (gas models)
Clean gas grates (gas models)
(helpful accessory: cooktop cleaner)
Microwave Oven
Clean inside cavity with mild detergent and water
Clean around the door and door seal, and make sure door closes tightly.
if your unit has a turntable, then be sure to clean underneath it.
to remove odors, boil a solution of a cup of water and several tablespoons of lemon juice in the microwave for 5-7 minutes.
clean grease and dust from around the air vents.
check inside light bulb, clean or replace as necessary
(helpful accessory: microwave oven light bulb).
Dishwasher
Treat your dishwasher for scale build-up
Clean filter and trap
Clear spray arm holes
Clear the “air trap”
Check and tighten any loose water hose clamps.
check the door seal gasket for any cracks or leaks.
check the pre-heating mechanism
(helpful accessory: dishwasher cleaner)
Oven
Oven cleaning procedures and maintenance vary significantly by the type of oven (e.g. “self-cleaning, “continuous cleaning”, and “conventional”) and you should consult your manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific procedures for your particular model.
Garbage Disposal
Clean your disposal by grinding up ice cubes
Check under sink for any signs of leaking
Freezer
Defrost the freezer
Vacuum dust off the condenser coils
Ensure that the magnetic door seal on the unit closes tightly
Trash Compactor
Clean inside the compactor bin
Check for signs of corrosion