Dishwasher

Remove racks and give them a scrub in hot, soapy water. Wipe down interior walls. You can run an empty cycle with white vinegar in the detergent cup to clean out any deposits if you wish. Dust the fan and wipe down the door.

Microwave

Scrub turntable and wheels in hot soap water. Wipe down interior walls and door. Then replace turntable and wipe down the exterior with a natural all-purpose cleaner (like Living Green)

(If you’ve got a lot of baked-on food in your microwave interior, before cleaning add a few lemon slices to a cup of water and microwave this on high for 3 minutes. Leave to sit inside for another 3 minutes. This softens the food).

Coffeemaker

Fill the sink with hot, water and natural dishwashing liquid. Wash the filter and carafe, rinse, then replace them in the unit. Next, fill the water chamber with 2-3 cups of water and 2-3 cups vinegar and brew. Halfway through the brew cycle, turn off your machine. Let the water sit in the chamber for an hour or so, then turn on and complete cycle. This will descale the deposits left by your water.

Next, run two cycles of ordinary water through the machine to rinse out the rest of the vinegar. Finally, wipe down the outside of the machine.

Toaster

Unplug, then remove toaster racks and soak them in hot soapy water. Use a scrubbing brush to remove charred food. Wipe down the interior and exterior with damp cloth. You can use an old toothbrush to get in the corners to remove old food.

Blender/food processor

Fill the sink with hot, water with natural dishwashing liquid. Soak blades, bowls, and all removable parts. Scour the blades to remove any caked-on food. Wipe down the base unit, including the buttons. Dry everything thoroughly, and reassemble.

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