We know how important it is to get your property looking sparkling between guests or tenants. The kitchen is a spot that can easily get dirty over time. But an area that can get often overlooked is the appliances. So, in this blog, we’re going to focus on some tips that can help you make the kitchen shine before guests or tenants stay in the rental.
Dishwasher: The dishwasher is one of those appliances that can get a little filthy inside. Make sure to check under that bottom rack to ensure there isn’t any food left behind. Woman’s Day suggests that you also give dishwashers a deep clean periodically. “One way to do this is to fill a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl with white vinegar and place it on the upper rack of your dishwasher. Afterwards run the (otherwise-empty) dishwasher on the hottest setting.” If you’re not a fan of the odor that vinegar puts off, they suggest using a cup of baking soda sprinkled “along the bottom of your dishwasher and rinse on a hot-water cycle instead.” Don’t forget to also clean the drain trap. “remove and disassemble it and — once it’s apart — use a sponge or toothbrush and dish soap to remove any stuck-on food bits or mold.”
Coffee Maker and Electric Kettle: Coffee and tea are known to stain, and minerals can build up inside these small appliances. That’s why it’s a good idea to use a 50/50 vinegar and water solution to clean them. Good Housekeeping recommends for a coffee maker that you “let the solution brew halfway, then stop and let it sit for 30 minutes before completing the cycle. Rinse by ‘brewing’ a pot of clean water afterwards.” You can do the same thing for an electric kettle; however, 15-20 minutes sit time is recommended by Women’s Day for this particular appliance.
Microwave: Want to remove the gunk from a microwave? It’s much easier if you first heat up a cup of water (and a few tablespoons of vinegar and pieces of lemon to the mix) then microwave. When the window in the microwave starts to steam up, you can stop it (this will probably take two to three minutes depending on the microwave). Don’t wipe immediately though. Leave the mix sit in the microwave for a few more minutes. After which, you can remove it and give the microwave a wipe down.
Oven: This can be a source for food build-up. Make sure to check to see if it needs cleaned. Some ovens have self-cleaning options. Others might need a store-bought oven cleaner or a homemade mix. If you don’t have a cleaner, Good Housekeeping suggests you “sprinkle table salt to absorb fresh spills and wipe it up with a damp sponge or cloth once the oven is cool.” Women’s Day suggests that you “remove your oven racks and let them sit in dishwashing liquid for at least an hour before scrubbing with a mild abrasive cleaner if needed.” They suggest wiping down the inside of the door while your oven racks are soaking. A store-bought oven cleaner or a “paste using baking soda and water” can be effective. If using this paste, they suggest wiping it over the oven door and leaving it on there “no more than 20 minutes” before you wipe it off.
Stove top: If you have a glass one in your rental, this will be an easy clean. Make sure it’s turned off and wipe it clean. But if you have tougher stains you can use “baking soda and vinegar. First, make a baking soda paste using a three-to-one ratio of baking soda to water, mixing it in a bowl until it thickens.” After it’s ready, you can spread it over the stove top. Women’s Day recommends “using a spatula or a brush.” After this point, then you just lightly spray the paste with vinegar. Leave “warm, wet towels” on top for about 30 minutes. Afterwards you can wipe down “the surface in circular motions.”
Refrigerator: Periodically, the entire fridge will need cleaned, which means taking out the shelves, drawers, and racks. You can wash these using water and dish soap. If you have a difficult spill, then leave a “warm, wet cloth” on there for a “few minutes” as this will make it easier to scrub up afterwards. The areas that you can’t remove will need to be wiped down. You can use “one part baking soda and seven parts water.”
Toaster: Make sure to dump the crumb tray and wipe down the exterior while it’s unplugged. You can wash the toaster tray as well, but make sure it’s fully dry before replacing it. Women’s Day suggests using “a small pastry or basting brush to get into the hard-to-reach corners.”
Cleaning is hard work, and we just tackled the kitchen appliances! But the good news is, when you partner with us, we have this covered. Our housekeeping vendors work wonders for keeping properties clean from top to bottom! Learn more about our services by visiting our website today.
