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Day Four of the 30 Day Spring Cleaning Challenge: Clean oven, dishwasher & other appliances
OVEN
To clean my oven I found a cleaning recipe from Clean Mama that used water, baking soda and castile soap. I like using Dr Woods Products Pure Almond Castile Soap with Organic Shea Butter 32 oz
I was cleaning my oven with my kiddos around, so it was great to be able to use completely safe ingredients. No one was inhaling toxic junk. The paste worked well, but I have two suggestions to add:
- Prior to cleaning the oven, give it a quick swipe with a paper towel to get all the bigger chunks of any burned food that may be on the bottom of your oven. Otherwise you just are spreading around an even bigger mess.
- Start with 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup baking soda, then adjust accordingly to get a paste. I found that starting with 1/2 cup water made it too watery.
DISHWASHER
- Place a bowl filled with vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run the cycle with the hottest water available. Nothing else should be in the dishwasher. The vinegar helps to wash away grime and remove any musty odors.
- Sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher. If you have bad stains, scrub with a paste of baking soda and water. (Optional: Let sit for a few hours.) Run a second cycle to wash the baking soda away. The baking soda helps to freshen up the dishwasher and remove stains.
MICROWAVE
You can clean a microwave in just a few minutes using vinegar. Basically just microwave a bowl of vinegar for a few minutes, let it sit for a few more minutes and wipe clean! The vinegar dissolves the grime. It’s so quick and easy! Here is a How-To.
COFFEE MAKER
Run your coffee maker with a mixture of half water and half vinegar. This will help to freshen up your coffee maker and remove buildup. After this cycle has completed, run your coffee maker once or twice more with just water.
STAINLESS STEEL
If you have stainless steel appliances, I highly recommend using a Swedish dishcloth. It is the easiest, quickest chemical-free way to get streak-free appliances. You just need water and the dishcloth. There are many patterns and colors available if you look around. I have this one:
In case you missed the entire 30 Day Challenge schedule, print the Spring Cleaning Challenge printable here!
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Brittany at Equipping Godly Women says
Good to know! Ours could use a good cleaning!
Julie says
Great tips. Wow vinegar is good stuff apparently:)
admin says
Yes, vinegar is a champ for cleaning!
Meredith says
I found you on Small Victories Sunday link-up. Good to know! I wish there was a fast way to clean my fryer. Oh, I should get rid of it. But, have you tried the “Big Boss” Oil-kess fryer? It does a great job on chicken wings. Blessings~
admin says
We don’t have a fryer…one less thing to clean. ;)
Brandi Clevinger says
These are great tips! To clean my microwave, I fill a medium size bowl with water, add 4 lemon slices, then microwave for five minutes. Let the water stand for two or three minutes, then wipe the microwave clean. Absolutely no scrubbing involved! And it leaves a fresh scent.
I found your post at Small Victories Sunday linky party.
admin says
I have heard of people adding lemon when cleaning their microwave. Thanks for sharing!
Leigh Powell Hines says
I think vinegar has so many great uses. That an lemon essential oil,
Popping over today from Small Victories link-up.
Rachel G says
I’m ovenless at the moment, but I know it only takes one dish bubbling over to create a huge mess to clean. Great tips! We have a microwave and a small fridge, and I stay on top of those by just wiping them down frequently.
admin says
Yes, if you stay on top of it it’s so much easier and quicker to clean.
Marina says
I love it! Going to to kitchen appliances cleaning this week and will use some of your tips :)
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says
I’ve done the vinegar in the microwave thing and it makes it so much easier. I actually clean my microwave occasionally now!
admin says
It’s nice when there is a quick and easy way!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
These are so helpful. I have been looking for more natural cleaning solutions. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday. Pinned to our linkup board.
Holly says
love love love this post! I swear I clean my entire house with hot water, vinegar and baking soda!!
I will be trying some of these tricks thanks :)
admin says
Nice! And they all are cheap ingredients. Now if only they could do the vacuuming for me…
Cheryl @Treasures from a Shoebox says
We just purchased a stainless steel fridge to match our stove (which we haven’t had very long either). Never heard of a Swedish cloth before; so this information is very helpful! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Titus 2 Tuesday
admin says
Yes, check out the cloth!
Terri Presser says
I really don’t enjoy cleaning my oven because of the harsh chemicals which smell so awful. Thank you so much for sharing how to clean it without that. Also thank you for the tips on cleaning the dishwasher, I am not going to wait until spring to try that. Thanks for linking up at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
admin says
I hope the tips work for you! Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon Rowe says
I must find a Swedish dish cloth! Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness link party :)
Nathana says
I was hoping to find a recipe like this for the oven because I am pregnant and don’t want anything toxic with fumes. I did a good job ridding our home of any questionable chemical cleaners and use vinegar for almost everything! Though, the other day I was spray painting a chair outside and later thought that probably wasn’t the smartest choice . . . Microwaving half a lemon and wiping clean also works well for cleaning the microwave and smells great!
admin says
It’s so nice to be able to use non-toxic cleaners, especially when pregnant! Vinegar is wonderful…
Thanks for adding the tip about the lemon!
Karren Haller says
I love cleaning tips that dont use chemicals, so much better for us.
Thanks also for the link back to Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week!
Have a great week, Karren
admin says
No problem on the link back!
Yes, I prefer not to inhale too much junk. :)
Sandy says
I need to check out that swedish cloth. I have never heard of that, but it sounds perfect for our appliances!
admin says
I love it!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
Thank you for posting this- it’s a nice reminder to give our appliances a little love- spring cleaning can feel so overwhelming, even in our small 1300 sq. ft. home. THis is definitely hepful.
I stopped by from Women With Intention Wednesdays.
admin says
Thanks for stopping by!
shannon says
I like your spring schedule! I really need to deep clean my kitchen :)
Erica says
Thank you so much for sharing on Wordless Wednesday! Hope to see you again this week! xoxo
Carmia @ Clementine Creative says
Thanks so much for the tips, Emily! I dread cleaning the kitchen appliances ;)
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
Can you come clean my oven? :) Great tips! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays!
admin says
What? You don’t think it’s a fun chore?
Vera Mercer says
Great tips and advises! My sister just moved to anew place and has decided to try cleaning her new home only with natural and non toxic cleaning solutions. Your tips seem to work great for her and I’m definitely recommending your post. Thanks for the great information and advises!
Emily says
You are welcome. Thank you for sharing my post!!