Why Cleaning Your Electrical Appliances Matters
Hectic schedules, little ones in the house or a variety of other reasons can make it hard to clean up as often as we want to.
Once you finally get around to cleaning up your dwelling, one area that may not cross your mind is cleaning your appliances. However, keeping your electrical appliances clean and maintained is vital to keeping them running like new for as long as possible. Not sure what you’ll need, how to clean or how to maintain electrical appliance safety? Keep reading to learn more.
4 Keys to Electrical Appliance Cleaning
If you plan to clean anything that runs on electricity, here are a few key things to remember:
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Unplug, unplug, unplug. Even if you don’t think there is a risk, it’s best to unplug appliances before cleaning them. From a toaster to your clothes dryer, make sure the device you are cleaning is disconnected. This reduces your risk of electrical shock. If you are cleaning a portable electronic, like a phone, remote or laptop, remove the battery if it’s accessible.
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Use recommended cleaning techniques for your brand of appliance. If you don’t have the manual for the machine you want to clean, look for its model number online. Most devices have a digital version of the manual that gives some cleaning and care instructions.
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Use the right cleaning solution. Always check the manufacturer's instructions before using any cleaning solution to avoid damaging the appliance.
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Use the best cleaning instrument for the job. From microfiber cloths to bristled brushes, keeping your electrical appliances clean also requires different instruments to ensure your appliances stay in pristine condition.
Cleaning Up in the Kitchen
When you clean your kitchen appliances, a dish rag or towel with dish soap should be your go-to.
Small Appliances
With smaller appliances, like hand mixers, toasters and blenders, unplug and disassemble for a thorough clean. You can wipe down some small appliances; others require hand or dishwashing. Only wash the removable parts of these small appliances. Never submerge any part of an appliance with electrical components, whether plug-in or battery operated.
Large Appliances
For larger appliances like dishwashers, stoves and refrigerators, you may need baking soda or other strong cleaners to cut through lingering odors, food particles or grease.
Dishwashers
Regular dishwasher cleaning helps remove food buildup, odors and residue. Clean the filter, door edges and seals, then run a cleaning cycle using a product recommended by the manufacturer. Some dishwashers can be cleaned with vinegar, but check your owner's manual first. Never mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach and vinegar.
Ovens
Keeping your oven clean helps prevent grease and food buildup that can create smoke and fire hazards. Use cleaning products recommended for your oven, and follow the manufacturer's instructions before starting a self-cleaning cycle. Remove loose debris, keep the kitchen well-ventilated and stay home while the cycle runs. Allow the oven to cool completely before wiping away any remaining residue.
Refrigerators
Dust and dirt on refrigerator coils can make some refrigerators work harder to stay cool. Check your owner's manual to see whether your refrigerator needs its coils cleaned and where they're located. If cleaning is recommended, disconnect the power and use a soft brush or vacuum to remove dust, following the manufacturer's instructions.
GFCI Outlets
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are essential for kitchen, bathroom and outdoor electrical appliance safety. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets installed near faucets and other water sources, call your local electrician to make the switch.
Cleaning Up in the Laundry Room
It’s smart to clean the washer and dryer every few months to keep them running like new. To do this, you will need:
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Chlorine bleach or a chlorine bleach alternative
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Rubber gloves
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A cleaning brush
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Cleaning cloths
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Any other specialized cleaners
Regular washing machine cleaning helps prevent odors and buildup from detergent and fabric softener. Follow your owner's manual to choose the right cleaner and cleaning cycle. Turn off the machine before wiping down the door, rubber seals and detergent dispenser. Never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaning products.
Lint buildup in dryers can become a serious fire hazard. Clean the lint filter after every load and have the dryer vent and ductwork cleaned at least once a year. Before cleaning the vent yourself, turn off and disconnect the dryer from power, following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for lint buildup behind the dryer and around the outside vent. If you're unsure how to safely access or clean the ductwork, contact a qualified professional.
Cleaning Up in the Living Room
Television sets, game consoles, home computer setups and other electronics in your home need a good clean from time to time.
Microfiber cloths are your best bet for cleaning. For TVs, a microfiber cloth dampened with water should do the trick to clean it up. For computer monitors and laptop screens, you can use specialized cleaners depending on the screen’s finish.
You don’t want to use the wrong chemical for the job, so exercise caution when cleaning screens. TVs and monitors alike can have specialized coatings to reflect glare, which can come off if you use glass cleaner or other chemicals.
Remember to unplug and remove batteries from any devices if possible when cleaning electrical appliances in the living room.
Two Electrical Appliance Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
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Don’t clean electrical appliances while they are plugged into the socket. Unless they need to run to clean, unplug your device before cleaning it to reduce the risk of electrical shock.
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Don’t use an all-purpose cleaner on every appliance in your home. All-purpose cleaners may seem like a perfect, one-size-fits-all solution for electrical appliance cleaning, but they may not properly clean your devices. Make sure to consult your owner’s manual, brand website or other expert resources for cleaning instructions.
For more electrical safety content, visit our indoor and outdoor electrical safety pages to learn how to keep you and your family safe.