Squeeze out!

Keeping small kitchen gadgets free of grime is no easy task. We offer you a few tips and tricks to start you off

Last updated: September 15, 2018 | 20:04

2 MIN READ

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Blenders

Blenders are a huge help in any kitchen, but unfortunately they come with their own share of gunk problems. So how do you get rid of the stubborn leftovers that seem to lodge themselves in the blades and refuse to leave?

American celebrity chef Martha Stewart’s website www.marthastewart.com recommends pouring a cup of warm water and some baking soda into the contraption. Run the blender for 30 seconds to one minute and rinse it nicely. Repeat the cycle with warm water to have a shiny, as-good-as-new machine.

Microwave

It may be relatively easier to clean your microwave rather than a blender or juicer, but often even soap and water won’t get the grease out.

Also, sometimes the aroma of food seems to lodge itself in the walls of the microwave, greeting you each time you open the door or flavouring whatever else you are trying to heat up. So how do you take care of this one?

The Good Housekeeping website suggests you take a large bowl and fill it half way with water. Slice a lemon, orange or lime in half and place it in the bowl. Put the vessel in the microwave and run it till the water boils. Leave the bowl in the fridge for about 15 minutes and then wipe it down using a damp cloth.

The combo not only acts as a deodoriser, but the grease gets dislodged because of the steam. Voila! You are left with a fresh citrus smell and a spotless interior.

Juicers

One of the best ways to get your vitamins and minerals is by drinking a fresh glass of orange juice every morning. What do you do when the pith and mulch get stuck between the juicer’s blades? Log on to www.howtocleanstuff.com and the website recommends dismantling and scrubbing the individual parts with a nail brush or hard bristled toothbrush. The bristles get to those hard-to-reach places and knock even the most stubborn fibre out. Don’t forget to rinse and repeat.

Toaster

One of most difficult appliances to clean is the toaster. There’s also a danger involved in cleaning it — if you don’t get it right and there is moisture left over, you may electrocute yourself when you plug it in.

That said, it is easy enough to clean and makes a huge difference to the quality of your toast. Popular food website www.thekitchn.com suggests using a pastry brush to gently clean the insides. Here’s what you can do: Unplug your toaster and pull out the crumb tray. Dip a piece of cloth in mild detergent and wipe it down gently. Using a dry cloth wipe it off carefully making sure you don’t leave any moisture on it.

Hold the toaster over a bin or plastic bag and gently tap it. Don’t shake it too hard or you will end up breaking some of the tiny parts inside. Next, use the pastry brush to sweep out the more stubborn crumbs. Clean the outside of the toaster using a mild detergent solution. You now have a toaster that's as good as new.

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