Best Ways to Clean Small Appliances

Small appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and juicers are great labor-saving devices. Unfortunately, they can collect dirt and grime quickly due to their small size, curves, and moving parts. By cleaning up splatter and other messes on your small appliances right away, you can keep them cleaner overall and possibly make them last longer. Just make sure that you unplug the device before you start cleaning and always follow the manufacturer's advice that came with it. With care and reasonable common sense, these cleaning techniques can also be applied to your larger kitchen appliances.

Here are some best practices for cleaning the most popular small appliances:

• Toaster: Crumb trays come in handy, but they don't catch everything. To get your toaster clean, place a piece of newspaper underneath the tray after ensuring the toaster is cool. Next, shake all loose crumbs onto the newspaper. You can now use a nylon scrubber or soapy sponge to remove caked-on particles and then dry the toaster with a soft cloth.

• Food processors and blenders: Many of these models are safe for the dishwasher, but their awkward shape makes it difficult to load them. They will likely come much cleaner if you wash them by hand. Start by removing the blade and then washing each part of the food processor or blender with warm soapy water. For stuck-on food debris, try using a bottle brush or toothbrush.

• Microwave oven: You can clean the outside of your microwave oven with a soft cloth and mild cleanser. Be sure to wipe up spills on the inside of the unit as soon as they happen. Wiping the walls and floor with a damp, hot cloth should do the trick. If you notice unpleasant odors, place one-quarter of a cup of lemon juice and a bowl of water in the microwave and run it for one minute at a high setting.

• Drip coffee maker: Be sure to rinse out the carafe and drip basket after each use with dish soap and water. Don't forget to wipe coffee that has spilled onto the hot plate once it cools. This may require you to scrub with baking soda and a wet sponge.

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