How to Clean Appliances

Are you ready to clean your appliances but don't know where to start? Need some figuring out what each appliance needs? We've got answers for you. Check out our top DIY appliance cleaning projects, as well as our discussion boards and video tutorials. We've got you covered on everything from toasters to refrigerators and everything in between.

How to Clean Your Front Loader Washing Machine

Tips for Cleaning Appliances

Read the manual: Every appliance has a specific way to be cleaned, this is why it’s imperative to read the instructions first to avoid harming it.
Unplug the appliance first: This should go without saying: Always unplug your appliances before you clean them.
Be wary of water: Not all appliances or parts can go under water. Make sure it’s safe before getting your appliance too wet.
Cleaning water spots: To clean water spots, place boiled distilled white vinegar on a towel and apply it for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda and scrub.
Clean under appliances: Your appliance usually sits in one spot and doesn't move for years. Who knows what’s under it. Keep the space clean to avoid a mess later.

More cleaning categories

Top Projects for Cleaning Appliances

Our top DIY appliance cleaning projects. Find your inspiration.

How to Clean Your Front Loader Washing Machine

Like all things that have anything to do with water, if you are not keeping your washing machine clean and dry, the smells will come- and let me tell you those smells won’t be pretty. Just like stripping your laundry, your washing machine needs to be deep cleaned too. Over time, washing machines build up sludge from detergents, fabric softeners, and different fibers from our clothing. This sludge then gets trapped in a warm, damp machine.

Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome

How to Clean a Washing Machine for Fresher Laundry

You know you should learn how to clean a washing machine, but shouldn’t it already be clean since that’s its job? Well, wherever there’s moisture, there’s a need to clean.Learn how to clean your washing machine the right way so mold, mildew, soap scum, mineral deposits, and other organisms and smells don’t give you the laundry day blues.Our guide gives you methods to clean your machine, whether it’s a top-loading or front-loading model or an older or newer high-efficiency (HE) model.

Marilyn Syarto

Dawn Dish Soap Hacks

Dawn is great for cleaning dishes - did you know it's great for other things too? I have used it to clean my carpet, as a laundry spot cleaner, and here are a few more ways I wanted to share with you... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker for Better-Tasting Coffee

By Alexa EricksonWho wants to wait for a whole pot of coffee to brew when a perfect, single cup of coffee takes moments to make? That’s the question Keurig answered with its genius single-serve coffee machine. Simply plop an individualized pod into the designated spot on the machine, press the brew button, and your cup of coffee or tea will appear in seconds. The Keurig has become a big hit among coffee and tea drinkers alike, and keeping the device clean ensures your coffee remains at its freshest and prolongs the lifespan of the machine.Here’s a guide on how to know when it’s time to give your Keurig a good cleaning, and how to do it.

Alexa

How to Deep Clean a Coffee Maker

Deep cleaning your coffee maker might not be a cleaning chore you think of doing often, but it is something that is so important to stay on top of.Giving your coffee maker a good deep clean regularly will not only extend the life and performance of your coffee maker, it will also keep the machine germ, bacteria, and buildup free thus resulting in a great tasting cup of coffee.Deep cleaning a traditional coffee maker is not complicated at all, and takes minimal time. Read below to find out how I like to clean out my coffee maker.

Wren’s Little Nest

How to Clean a Box Fan in Under 10 Minutes

By Judy SchumerA box fan is a solid workhorse that cools you off in the summer, moves warm air around your house in the winter, and lulls you to sleep with white noise. These machines are also great for clearing smoky air from your kitchen if you aren’t the next Martha Stewart.Like any fan, box fans collect dust, which can eventually gunk up the motor. If you learn how to clean your box fan and maintain a solid cleaning routine, this household staple can last for many years. And once it does quit working for good, you can turn it into a super cute garden decoration or a child’s table and chairs!Besides increasing the longevity of your fan, by keeping a clean fan you’ll breathe cleaner air without dust blowing through your home. Imagine cool breezes drifting through your abode, bringing refreshing relief from the summer heat as opposed to an angry appliance spewing dust and dirt all over your house and into your sinuses. Keep reading to learn how to properly clean a box fan.

Judy Schumer

Coconut Oil Hacks

Coconut Oil is huge right now, and a lot of people are trying it for cooking. I have some other ways I use it in my home that I'd like to share with you... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean a Humidifier and Thoroughly Disinfect It

There’s nothing more soothing than a humidifier in the parched winter air. There are innumerable benefits of running a humidifier: You’ll have softer skin, moist nasal passages, relief from coughs, and your tropical plants will benefit, as well. But if you’re an owner of this appliance, you need to know how to clean a humidifier correctly so it doesn’t become a magnet for germs, mold, and mildew.Our guide gives you the best ways to clean a humidifier so you can make sure it emits the cleanest, freshest mist to make your home healthy and comfortable.

How-To Guides

Alka-Seltzer Cleaning Hacks

I was recently challenged to clean with Alka-Seltzer. What I loved about this challenge is it taught me some tricks I didn't know as well as helped me speed clean some things, and save time and energy. You can see more of my crazy creations hereAlka Seltzer is made of baking soda, citric acid, and aspirin. These are great cleaners and deodorizers.

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean an Air Fryer of Grease and Grime

Anyone who’s ever used an air fryer would probably tell you that these appliances are like a little gift from the kitchen gods. They allow you to enjoy your favorite fried foods without oil splashes and spots on every surface of your kitchen by the time you’re done with the meal prep.But with no visible oil spots and splashes on their air fryer, most people mistakenly believe that they don’t need to clean the appliance regularly when, in fact, the opposite is true. Ideally, you should clean your air fryer after every use. Not only should you do this to avoid gunky buildup or charred, burnt food the next time you use it, but you should also think about keeping it clean to keep cross-contamination at bay.The good news is cleaning an air fryer is relatively easy. Ahead, this guide walks you through the best way to clean an air fryer and we’ve also included a few best practices for keeping the mess to a minimum.

Sharon Brandwein

How to Clean Your Front Loader Washing Machine

Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome

How to Clean a Washing Machine for Fresher Laundry

Marilyn Syarto

Dawn Dish Soap Hacks

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker for Better-Tasting Coffee

Alexa

How to Deep Clean a Coffee Maker

Wren’s Little Nest

How to Clean a Box Fan in Under 10 Minutes

Judy Schumer

Coconut Oil Hacks

Coconut Oil is huge right now, and a lot of people are trying it for cooking. I have some other ways I use it in my home that I'd like to share with you... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean a Humidifier and Thoroughly Disinfect It

How-To Guides

Alka-Seltzer Cleaning Hacks

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Clean an Air Fryer of Grease and Grime

Sharon Brandwein

Appliance Cleaning Videos

We have DIY video tutorials to get you started on cleaning your appliances.

Dawn Dish Soap Hacks

Chas' Crazy Creations

Coconut Oil Hacks

Coconut Oil is huge right now, and a lot of people are trying it for cooking. I have some other ways I use it in my home that I'd like to share with you... You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Alka-Seltzer Cleaning Hacks

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Remove the Lint Trap Housing on Your Dryer

After my curtains got caught and twisted on my lint trap in my dryer, I realized that a lot of lint had gotten past the trap and I needed to get the lint trap housing off so I could clean all of the lint out. It was quite a process, but I took detailed pictures (which I turned into a vidoe) and can show you exactly what to do should you need to remove your lint trap housing!This is my lint trap when it is in the proper position. But for some reason it wasn't pushed all the way down and my curtains caught on a corner of it.

Liberty Brammer

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Appliance Cleaning Projects

We've collected the best appliance cleaning projects on Hometalk. Check them out.

How to Clean a Dishwasher in a Few Easy Steps

The only guide you'll need to make sure your dishwasher shines!

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean Oven Racks (In the Bathtub)!

My oven was DIRTY and I needed a solution for cleaning the large oven racks. I searched online for ways to do this and decided dryer sheets and dish soap were worth a try since I already had them on hand. Lo and behold, it WORKED!

Andrea @ Life Love Larson

How To Clean Your Front Load Washer

Question: How many of you have ever thought about cleaning our appliances? Admittedly, I never did - until I got a front load washer. After using it a few months, it began to smell. All those months of cleaning nasty workout clothes and food-covered kid's clothes was taking its toll. Luckily, with a bit of cleaning, I had it back in working order in no time. How long does it take? Depending on how dirty your washer and dryer are, it can take several hours. The most basic clean-up requires a minimum of 1 hour. How often should you clean your washer? Basic maintenance should be done every other month for optimal performance. More in-depth cleanings should be done every six months.

The Rozy Home

How to Clean and Disinfect the Microwave With Just Vinegar and Water

5 easy steps to clean and disinfect your microwave with just vinegar and water.Things You'll NeedMicrowave safe bowl ( I used a large glass measuring cup)SpongePaper towels1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar1 cup of waterhttp://athomewithmechristine.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/athomewithmechristine

Christina Falcon

How to Clean a Dishwasher in a Few Easy Steps

The only guide you'll need to make sure your dishwasher shines!

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean Oven Racks (In the Bathtub)!

Andrea @ Life Love Larson

How To Clean Your Front Load Washer

The Rozy Home

How to Clean and Disinfect the Microwave With Just Vinegar and Water

Christina Falcon

Popular Cleaning Appliances Discussions 44569777

Check out what's new on the DIY appliance cleaning discussion board.

How to clean a dishwasher filter?

/> Nancy J Todd

I feel like a dishwasher filter should be cleaned out once in a while, but I have no clue where to start. Any ideas?

View discussion

How do I clean a showerhead?

/> Sara

View discussion

How to clean dryer vents?

/> Mr smith

Howdy y’all,I’m a Texan with a question. I have a 2 story home that has the dryer upstarts. The dryer vents doesn’t have your traditional vents. It looks like it vents thru the roof. I don’t recon I’ve seen this before. Can anyone give me 💡?Thank y’all in advance

View discussion

Why does my washer smell like fish?

/> Sarah

I've noticed a fishy smell coming from my washing machine. What is the reason for this and how can I clean my washer to get rid of the odor?

View discussion

New Appliance Cleaning Projects

We've got new appliance cleaning solutions for your next DIY project.

How to Clean a Waffle Iron the Right Way

By Sharon BrandweinWarm and toasty waffles are a fun treat on a Sunday morning. Whipping them up is as easy as mixing the batter, pouring it onto the preheated waffle iron, and voila, you’ve got a breakfast that’s a real crowd-pleaser. But while making waffles is relatively easy, the clean-up leaves a little to be desired. From caked-on messes to sticky residue, waffle irons can be a bit tricky to maintain—unless you know how to properly clean a waffle maker.This guide walks you through how to clean a waffle iron and in it, we share a few different ways to clean your appliance. As a bonus, we include a few tips for keeping your waffle iron clean which will keep it working optimally and can even prolong its life.

Sharon Brandwein

How to Clean a Refrigerator From the Outside In

By Alexa EricksonThe refrigerator is one of the most used appliances in the home. While keeping it stocked and organized may be your top priorities, a deep clean is likely on your to-do list. A good wipe-down of the outside helps avoid grimy buildup and keeping up with interior cleanings ensures spillage doesn’t harden and become difficult to clean out. Taking care of buildup also prevents the breeding of germs that can cause diseases like food poisoning. This guide on how to clean a refrigerator will take you through the best methods and best practices to keep your refrigerator healthy and pristine.

Alexa

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine in a Few Easy Steps

Disclaimer: Hometalk may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via Amazon links in this article but at no cost to you.No need to travel to Italy or even down to your corner café for an espresso thanks to your home coffee bar outfitted with a nifty Nespresso machine. Maybe buying a Nespresso machine was a bit intimidating at first, but you made it through the learning curve. Now you’ll need to learn to clean your coffee machine if you want to keep that perfect morning infusion flowing.Regardless of whether you have a Nespresso from the Original Line or the VertuoLine, natural oils and tap water residue (called scale) can build up inside your machine, resulting in off-flavored, tepid-temperature coffee, and a potentially clogged machine.Nespresso cleaning is broken into two parts: Routine cleaning of the machine to kill bacteria and germs, and descaling to eliminate interior gunk and built-up minerals. Routine cleaning is easy; descaling is a multi-step process that, depending on the model of your machine, will involve pressing one or two buttons to start the process.If you can’t find your owner’s manual, or you just want a quick review of how to clean your machine, this guide can help. By cleaning it well and often, your machine can last a long time. Follow these steps for a clean Nespresso machine in no time!

Marilyn Syarto

How to Remove the Lint Trap Housing on Your Dryer

Liberty Brammer

How to Clean an Instant Pot Inside and Out

The Instant Pot is a kitchen workhorse, making everything from soups to cakes to hearty meals—and fast. You can even fill your house with the warm, spiced scent of fall by using your Instant Pot pressure cooker to make potpourri. Knowing how to clean an Instant Pot can protect this kitchen wonder from wearing out prematurely.The easiest way to clean an Instant Pot is to do a light cleaning, especially the lid and sealing ring, after every use. Cleaning after cooking helps keep food from getting stuck onto the inner pot and turning into gunk around the other parts. You’ll still want to do a deeper cleaning once a month, particularly if you use it a few times a week (and we’ll show you how below).An Instant Pot has many parts, but you can easily remove all of them for quick cleaning. The inner liner, lid, sealing ring, and condensation cup can be effortlessly detached. By following our instructions for how to clean your Instant Pot, you’ll have it working in tip-top shape for years to come.

Judy Schumer

How to Clean a Keurig

Our Keurig gets a lot of use. Even though it looked clean, I wondered how clean it really was. I learned how to descale a Keurig and how to clean a Keurig with and without vinegar. These methods will work no matter which Keurig model you own. Here are some of the different ways you can clean your Keurig in order to keep your family healthy when you drink your coffee, tea, and other hot beverages.