Kitchen Helpers

You’ll be the Queen of Clean with these time-saving tips for taking on the big projects, like cleaning the refrigerator and stove, as well as helpful hints for keeping everyday appliances perking and blending.
 

One-Step Cleaning. Although the stores are full of expensive cleaning products, 1-2 tablespoons of plain baking soda dissolved in a quart of warm water cleans and deodorizes every surface and appliance in your kitchen easily, safely and much more economically. To add a sparkling shine, wipe with a finishing rinse of white vinegar.

Removing Odors. Clean the inside of the refrigerator with baking soda, adding a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water to make it smell wonderful. Pour a few drops of vanilla on a cotton ball and place inside the refrigerator and cabinets to eliminate odors. Grind orange and lemon peels down the garbage disposal to keep it running smoothly and give the entire kitchen a citrus scent.

Refrigerator. Keep food organized and reduce hard-to-clean spills by storing condiments on a carousel tray and fruits and vegetables in space-saving bins. Stash wine and eggs in under-shelf racks to expand shelf space. Cleaning underneath the refrigerator twice a year (more if you have pets) keeps it trouble-free. Unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Remove the bottom grill and use a brush to loosen the dirt. Vacuum up loose dirt before sliding the refrigerator back into place.

Stove. Soak ceramic burners in the sink, applying a paste of baking soda and water to remove stains. Sprinkle Cascade® on the bottom of the oven, cover with wet paper towels, let sit a few minutes, then wipe up the Cascade with the paper towels, finishing with a wet cloth. To clean greasy oven racks, put them a trash bag, spray with oven cleaner and tie the bag closed for several hours; remove and wipe clean.

Dishwasher. Run a cup of white vinegar through the entire cycle to remove soap film. To leave the dishwasher lemony fresh, slip a wedge of lemon in the knife compartment.

Coffeemaker. Run a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar through your machine once a month to dissolve mineral buildup. Follow with a cycle of cold water.

Electric Can Opener. Detach the cutting wheel and run it through the dishwasher. For tough grime, clean the wheel with a scrubbing pad and lubricate with cooking oil.

Toaster/Toaster Ovens. A toaster will last a lifetime if kept clean. Turn it upside down and gently shake out the crumbs. Sponge the toaster oven’s tray after each use. If it smokes, let it cool and remove residue with a wet toothbrush dipped in baking soda.

Blenders and Food Processors. Fill with water, add a squirt of detergent and turn the machine on high for 30 seconds; rinse clean and dry with a towel.

Organizing. Mount can openers, coffeemakers and microwaves under cabinets to free up counter space. Store items that aren’t used every day, such as food processors, blenders and breadmakers, inside cabinets or on a baker’s rack.