Add These 6 Home Appliances to Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is finally here. The new season is an opportunity for people to plant new flowers, have a picnic at the park and sleep with the windows open. Springtime is also a chance for homeowners to clean their houses from top to bottom.

If you’re going to do some spring cleaning in your home, you’ll want to start with your home appliances. The accumulated dirt and dust can put a strain on these appliances, risking an early breakdown and potentially costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair.

When you’re spring cleaning, remember to add these appliances to your “to clean” checklist:

1. Air Conditioning System

Having your AC unit inspected and cleaned during spring is important. Layers of debris can obstruct the machine’s airways. This prevents your air conditioner from operating effectively. By getting rid of the dust and dirt, you’re allowing the appliance to run efficiently. This translates to dollars saved on your home electricity bill.

Try to schedule your AC inspection and cleaning with a professional HVAC technician before summer. A check up can spell the difference between a unit operating efficiently through warm weather and a machine that breaks down without warning. The last thing you want to happen is to replace your AC unit that stops working in the middle of a heatwave.

2. Microwave 

Frequently used and often neglected, this home appliance can serve as a breeding ground for germs and bacteria that can harm your health. You don’t want this machine to end up like the communal employee microwave where the inside looks and smells disgusting.

You can take good care of your microwave by implementing monthly inspections and cleaning spills immediately with a soft cloth, such as a tea towel.

If you come across stains that just won’t go away, loosen the stubborn buildup by sticking a few slices of lemon in a water bowl inside the appliance. Then, microwave for at least three minutes. This should loosen the buildup and allow you to scrub away the debris.

3. Coffee Machine

You need to clean your coffee maker to prevent it from affecting the brew time and the flavor of your hot beverage. Start by taking out the appliance’s carafe and filter. Next, descale the remaining water deposits you find in the machine. Then, wipe the outside of the appliance and dry using a clean cloth.

After you reassemble the coffee maker, run two cycles of plain water before you brew yourself a fresh cup of joe.

Take the time to turn off the TV and check the amount of dust that has accumulated around the appliance. If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned the television, you’ll need to include this in your spring cleaning list. Begin by wiping off the dust, cobwebs and other debris using a clean, microfiber cloth. Alternatively, you could use anti-static screen wipes to keep dirt at bay.

4. Oven

Your oven may be due for a thorough clean if you smell something burning after turning on the appliance. First, heat the oven slightly to soften the debris. Then, vacuum the debris. After that, wipe down the shelves, racks and hobs. Make sure that you clean the extractor fan and exhaust, as well.

5. Dishwasher

Dishwashers savefamiliesa lot of time. Rather than wash dishes by hand, which can take a while to complete, they can simply load the dishes and allow the soapy water to clean everything in one sitting.

When working on the dishwasher, check the drain for detachments and leaks. Don’t forget to take out the food debris hanging around the drain.

Then, place a small bowl containing distilled white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher. Next, turn on the appliance and set it to high-heat empty cycle. This cleaning procedure dissolves stubborn mineral deposits, sanitizes the inside of the appliance thoroughly and removes grime.

6. Vacuum Cleaner

A clogged vacuum is as ineffective as mopping the floor using a dirt-filled sponge. You could end up with a defective or broken appliance if you ignore the overflowing dust compartments and filthy matted brushes.

So make sure that you do some maintenance on your vacuum cleaner before using the appliance for house cleaning. First, make sure that you change the machine’s filters and bags. If you’re using a bag-free model, take out the canister, clean it with a sponge and place it back in the machine. Also, don’t forget to install a vacuum air freshener. This keeps the appliance smelling fresh and eliminates unwanted odors.

As you tidy up your house, remember to clean these seven appliances. Keeping your house clean will help you avoid spreading unwanted germs and developing allergies caused by large amounts of dust and debris.