Ever notice how your blender, toaster, or coffee maker quietly becomes a sticky, crumb-filled mess over time?

While it’s true that those appliances are the little workhorses of your kitchen, quite often they’re also last on your cleaning list. Luckily, you can easily turn this around by making a few changes to your cleaning routine.

Here are 7 quick and easy hacks to bring your small kitchen appliances back to life.

Vinegar or Baking Soda

These common kitchen items are not only powerful but also inexpensive. They’re also eco-friendly, meaning you won’t risk your health or that of your family when cleaning, as you would when using harsh chemicals.

Just make sure you use each of them separately and never mix them together, as that will result in saltwater, which won’t be of much use for cleaning.

Now, vinegar is quite effective because of its acidic properties.

One way to use it is for tackling limescale buildup in your coffee machine. Pour a 50:50 ratio of water and vinegar into its chamber, and run a brew cycle. After that, follow with plain water to flush everything clean.

You can also use it to tackle the inside of your microwave oven. Fill a bowl with the same ratio and heat it for several minutes. The steam will loosen the dirt and debris inside the appliance, making it easier to wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

Baking soda is mildly abrasive, which is good as it lifts grime without scratching surfaces. It’s also great at neutralising odours. Use it to clean your toaster and mini oven, and even your mini fridge.

The process is also quite easy– you just mix the bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste, then use it to clean all the stuck-on crumbs and grease.

Microfibre Cloths for a Streak-Free Finish

If you ever wiped down one of your kitchen appliances and ended up with a cloudy mess, then you know how frustrating that can be. That’s when microfibre cloths save the day.

They’re like tiny dust magnets, pulling dirt and grease off surfaces and locking it in. It doesn’t matter if it’s stainless steel, glass, or plastic. They glide over all of it and leave nothing behind but a flawless shine.

Using little moisture works wonders here. By dampening the cloth slightly first, you help it grab onto stubborn crumbs or dried spills. Even those annoying fingerprints that cling to chrome vanish with a few gentle swipes.

When something more stubborn shows up, just press down a bit harder and let the cloth do its thing.

Lemon Juice for Deodorising and Disinfecting

The same lemon that perks up your recipes can just as easily cut through grime and freshen up your appliances.

Its juice is packed with natural acids that break down grease, kill germs, and leave behind a scent that makes the whole kitchen feel lighter. This isn’t just surface-level freshness either. Lemon juice dives deep, cleaning and disinfecting without anything harsh.

Refrigerators often trap food odours. Wiping down shelves and drawers with diluted lemon juice removes sticky spots and eliminates unpleasant smells.

There’s a simple hack that works wonders for your microwave. All you have to do is squeeze a lemon, drop the slices into a bowl of water, and heat it up.

One minute later, the inside will be full of citrus steam that softens gunk and makes it easy to wipe clean.

There’s no need to keep scrubbing like your life depends on it. With just a quick swipe, it will look like new again. There’s no strong cleaner smell, odd aftertaste near food, or plastic spray bottles involved.

Dish Soap and Hot Water for Greasy Surfaces

Grease has a way of showing up where it’s not welcome, like near the stove, around the toaster, or on blender buttons. It sticks, spreads, and refuses to budge without a fight. Here’s a secret, though: hot water and dish soap are a more powerful combo than they seem.

Start by making sure the water’s hot enough to melt that grease—just not so hot it burns. Add a squeeze of dish soap, give it a quick stir, and grab a sponge or cloth.

The key is to really soak the sponge so it holds the heat. Then press it onto the greasy area, letting the warmth loosen things up before gently scrubbing.

After the grease lifts away, go back over everything with clean water to rinse off the soap. Now you have shiny surfaces that aren’t slick or sticky anymore.

You don’t really need a fancy cleaner to get the job done. With a bit of heat, some patience, and a kitchen staple that’s always nearby, you’re good to go.

Water Bath for Removable Parts

Hidden grime sticks to removable parts. Crumb trays, blender lids, and food processor discs are all magnets for dirt and residue. When those parts don’t get cleaned regularly, the whole appliance can start acting up.

Taking a few minutes to remove and wash them makes a huge difference. Start with a soak and let the pieces sit for a while. Warm water and a little soap help loosen anything clinging to corners and edges.

Once softened, everything wipes or brushes off easily. Use a sponge, a cloth, or even an old dish brush to scrub the areas that need extra attention.

Rinse each piece under clean water until there’s no soap left. Then, dry them completely. Letting parts sit wet can lead to rust or mould, especially on metal or plastic parts that lock into place.

Once dry, they go back into the appliance, cleaner and fresher than before.

Toothbrush for Hard-to-Reach Areas

Some spaces are just plain annoying, such as the tiny crevices around buttons, narrow vents, and the corners where attachments meet the base. However, while fingers and sponges can’t quite get there, a toothbrush can.

That’s why an old toothbrush isn’t trash, and you should keep them around as they’re perfect cleaning tools. With some vinegar or soapy water, those bristles slide into the hard-to-reach spots and scrub out whatever’s hiding there.

Around knobs, between grooves, behind handles—it all comes clean without damaging anything. Angled bristles help get deeper into corners, while a light grip keeps the pressure just right.

However, there’s no need to scrub too hard. It’s about patience and precision, not force.

Regular Cleaning

Tackling all your kitchen appliances once in a while helps, but a simple routine keeps everything under control. Quick weekly wipe-downs prevent dust and splatter from sticking around, and reduce the frequency of deep cleanings.

While at it, you should also do a monthly thorough clean, as that takes care of the mess that sneaks through. Writing down a plan or setting reminders on your phone helps you stay on top of things.

When you care for your appliances, they work and look better, and they last much longer. This is all totally worth it as your kitchen will look clean and you’ll spend less money on costly replacements down the line.

If life gets too busy or you prefer to rely on the pros, flat cleaning services can handle the hard work for you.

The pros will make everything spotless and save you plenty of time and effort, which you can invest in more pleasant or important things, like your favourite hobby or just enjoying the warm Australian sun with friends or family.

Conclusion

A clean kitchen isn’t just about looks. It makes your life easier, your mornings smoother, and your appliances do their job the way they’re meant to.

The secret isn’t in fancy products or complicated routines. It’s in the small habits, the everyday choices, and the little bits of care that keep things running right.

So, use these tricks and keep your gadgets fresh. They’ll repay you with the same love and care you give them, and long years of service.