Creating Your Own Appliance Cleaning Solutions

Are you interested in avoiding the use of harsh chemicals in your household? Perhaps you've found yourself without your preferred cleaner during a thorough spring cleaning session. In this article, Mega Appliance Appliances offers a comprehensive guide to crafting homemade appliance cleaners, providing cleaning tips, and explaining how to effectively eliminate stains and stubborn grime.

Cleaning Your Kitchen Appliances

Refrigerator Cleaning

When it's time to clean your refrigerator, many people instinctively reach for bleach. However, you don't have to resort to harsh chemicals to achieve that pristine, brand-new look. Here's what you'll need:

- One cup of white vinegar

- Two cups of hot water

- 8 to 10 drops of essential oil (popular choices include lemon and orange)

Combine these three simple ingredients in a spray bottle, then apply the solution both inside and outside your refrigerator. This effective cleaning mixture will gradually dissolve food stains and lift away grime from the interior. As a result, you'll spend less time scrubbing stubborn stains.

Cleaning Under Your Refrigerator and Freezer

While many people overlook this step when cleaning their refrigerators, it's essential to do it at least every other time. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the refrigerator door for easier access, prop open the grill, and remove the grill cover.

2. If it's your first time cleaning, the grill cover will likely be coated in dust. Take it outside and rinse it off with a water hose. If there's still dust remaining, use an old rag and dish soap to thoroughly clean between the cracks. Allow the grill to air dry if time permits; otherwise, use a rag or paper towel to dry it.

3. Return indoors to sweep and vacuum beneath the refrigerator, removing any lingering dust, lost items, crumbs, or debris.

4. Reattach the grill cover outside, improving ventilation for your refrigerator and maintaining a cooler temperature.

5. Eliminating Unpleasant Odors

6. If your refrigerator has developed unpleasant odors, follow these steps to address the issue:

- Fill an old sock with activated charcoal, which can be found at aquarium stores. Seal the sock with a knot and place it at the back of your refrigerator. This quick fix can last up to a couple of months, depending on the size of your refrigerator.

- To combat food odors in your household, soak three cotton balls in your preferred essential oil (vanilla is a common choice) and place them in the refrigerator's back.

Dishwasher Cleaner

Cleaning the interior of your dishwasher with a homemade appliance cleaner is a straightforward process:

1. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe cup, filling it approximately two-thirds full.

2. Place the cup upright on the top rack of your dishwasher and close the door.

3. Start a regular hot cycle on your dishwasher, which adds an extra level of sterilization. The vinegar will help break down soap scum, grease on the dishwasher's walls, and food particles. It will also clean the racks and assist in clearing the drain as it flows through.

4. Once the cycle is complete, open the door and remove the cup from the top rack. Check the drain for any large particles; if necessary, remove the filter and clean it with warm soapy water.

5. To maintain a clean dishwasher, repeat this white vinegar cleaning cycle every few weeks.

Stove Cleaning

Achieving a streak-free appearance on your stove is easily achievable with this homemade appliance cleaner, which takes only about 5 minutes to prepare and yields 24 fluid ounces of cleaner. Here's what you'll need:

- 1 cup water

- 1 cup white vinegar

- 1 cup rubbing alcohol

- 3 drops of dish soap

- Four drops of your preferred essential oil or fruit extract (optional, but helpful for countering the vinegar smell)

If you choose fruit extract, begin by soaking two to three orange peels in one cup of vinegar. After two weeks, strain the mixture into a jar, discarding the peels. Follow these steps:

1. Combine the listed ingredients in a 24 oz spray bottle and shake well.

2. Directly spray the mixture onto the stove surface.

3. Wipe away the mixture with a microfiber cloth, ensuring a streak-free finish.

4. Repeat the cleaning process until you're satisfied with your stove's appearance.

Oven Cleaner (Grease Remover)

To remove grease from your kitchen and oven, create this sudsy ammonia cleaner. It contains detergent that effectively tackles stubborn grime on metal surfaces. Here's what you'll need:

- ½ cup of sudsy ammonia

- Empty one gallon of a water jug, then fill it with water

To use this cleaner, simply mix ½ a cup of ammonia with the rest of the water, creating your grease remover. Apply it by dripping some onto a sponge, wipe it over the surface, and rinse it clean with water.

Additional Homemade Appliance Cleaners

Scented All-Purpose Cleaner

Create a versatile all-purpose cleaner with the following ingredients:

- One-part white vinegar

- One-part water

- Lemon rind

- Rosemary sprigs

Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle, allowing them to infuse together for a week before use. This all-purpose cleaner effectively removes hard water stains, smudges, and cleans various surfaces. The addition of lemon provides a pleasant scent while boosting cleaning power.

Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer

This mixture serves as an excellent cleaner and deodorizer for kitchen appliances, refrigerator interiors, countertops, and more. Here's what you need:

- 1-quart warm water

- Four tablespoons of baking soda

Baking soda is a superb deodorizer and can also be used to polish stainless steel appliances and sinks. To shine stainless steel appliances, create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to a damp cloth, and gently rub it along the grain of the metal. Rinse, buff, and dry the surface. Additionally, baking soda can help deodorize your home when placed in drains or garbage disposals.

Glass Cleaner

Prepare an effective glass cleaner with the following ingredients:

- Two cups of water

- Half a cup of white or cider vinegar

- ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol

- 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil or your preferred scent

Mega Appliance Repair and Homemade Appliance Cleaners

Now that you've learned how to create simple homemade appliance cleaners for a tidy home and well-maintained appliances, remember that Mega Appliance Appliances is ready to assist with any appliance-related issues that go beyond cleaning. We prioritize honesty and reliability, setting us apart from other appliance repair companies. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment at your earliest convenience.