Ovens and Fridge Cleaning

Using the stove oven seems intuitive enough.  You just put stuff you want to roast or bake in it, turn it on and set the heat and wait.  

If it is something particularly greasy (such as a roast) lots of fat melts off and coats the inside of the oven.  Most times this is not noticed in our rush to consume the yummy stuff we have made.  But someone eventually has to clean the left over grease coating in the oven or it begins to make other stuff cooked in the oven taste funny or not cook properly.  

EASY - NO-SCRUB METHOD

1. Pre-heat the oven to where the surface inside is warm to the touch, but not hot.
2. While it is heating up make a smooth, thin paste of baking soda and vinegar (yes it is neat to watch it fizz up) 
3. Spread the paste around the inside of the pre-warmed oven coating all the surfaces, especially the areas that are especially messy
4. Close the oven door and go do something else (maybe clean the refrigerator).
5. Let the paste sit on the walls and floor, ceiling and inside of the door until the oven is cool again.  
6. Fill a little bucket, basin or the sink with warm, clear water
7. Moisten a sponge or soft cloth and wipe it off the paste
8. Most of the mess will come off easily.    

NEVER USE A KNIFE OR A TOOL OR SCRUBBER 

THAT WILL SCRATCH THE SURFACE 

OF THE ENAMEL OF THE OVEN!

The damage done from scrubbing with a scratching implement makes it nearly impossible to clean the oven in the future, because the grease will embed and bake itself into the tiny scratches left behind.  Just repeat the eight steps above a second (and maybe even a third) time, coating the specific troublesome area(s) until the baking power and vinegar melts off the grease and grime.

I just found this SUPER ARTICLE that you can read to know the best way to keep our oven clean and it also has a video in it about how to clean the refrigerator. 

REFRIGERATOR CLEANING

Obviously, if you spill something in the refrigerator you would know to wipe it up immediately with a damp cloth.  However, over time lots of fluff and liquids and stuff that is unrecognisable begins to appear as if out of nowhere in every refrigerator.

Regularly checking for use by dates or when smells grow beyond "something died in the fridge!" can be the first sign it's time to actually pull everything out and wash all the shelves, walls and ceiling of the inside surfaces of the fridge.  

Recommended not to do this on the hottest day of the year, and if it is important that you do clean the fridge on a hot day, bring in the old Eskie and put the most perishable items in it while you focus on your task. 

Once the food is all out, take time to check the shelves in the door(s) and the veggie crisper drawer at the bottom.  Remove each of these carefully and set them aside on the counter for a bit.

Here is where baking soda comes into play again.  Dissolve about a half cup of baking soda in a liter of warm water.  I use an old plastic ice cream bucket.  And wipe everything down with a soft cloth soaked in this mixture.  (I wear rubber gloves any time I am working in water, so you might want to consider this.)

DO NOT USE SOAP OR OTHER TYPES 

OF CLEANERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR.  

There is only one product I've found that is specifically made for cleaning inside the refrigerator that is safe on all surfaces.  It is called "Vanilla Fridge Spray" that not only cleans gently, but also leaves behind the pleasant scent of vanilla (which also helps mask some unpleasant stale odors in a fridge).   You can also MAKE YOUR OWN, if you like to clean out your fridge and freezer with super-smelling results.  

But I find baking soda is more than sufficient and if you leave a box of it open in the fridge and freezer it will absorb the stale orders before they embed themselves in the walls of your fridge. 

If you find some stubborn stains in the fridge, just put some of the baking soda paste on it, close the door and leave it soak a bit.  

Then clean each of the shelves and the door shelves and the crisper drawer and let them air dry.  

NOTE:  Air drying dishes, etc., 

minimises the transferance of bacteria 

from a dish towel onto a dish.  

So whenever possible let stuff air dry rather than wiping it with a dish towel.  If you are in a hurry and must dry something, use paper towels, as they are fresh and will not be hiding any bacteria.   

(Will get to cleaning the freezer another time.)

MICROWAVE OVEN CLEANING

First, when you use a microwave oven, we all know not to put metal implements or aluminum foil inside the oven, I hope.  If you do there will be heaps of sparks and serious-sounding popping noises, and the build up of heat can actually explode the microwave.  

If this happens the microwave is no longer safe and will need to be replaced.  Since I've already replaced the microwave five times in the last eight years, it will be your responsibility if you forget.

Please, do not put something inside the microwave to warm up that will spatter (such as meat or sauce or soup) without covering it with either a paper towel (highly recommended) or some cling wrap (Although I caution you not to use cling wrap as some studies have indicated this can produce cancer-causing particles to invade or coat your food.)  

Unless a dish or plastic container is specifically marked microwave safe, it is best to search out another container, as other containers might explode or give off fumes that coat your food with highly unrecommended film.  Hence, using papertowels is best.  

If, for all your best efforts, something spatters onto the walls or other surfaces inside the microwave, please take a moment to clean it up immediately.  If you do not, these splatters cake on and become more difficult to clean off and sometimes even stain the inside of the surface.  

Cleaning the inside of the microwave is just like cleaning the inside of the refrigerator or freezer. 

1. Prepare baking soda dissolved in water or the Vanilla Fridge Spray.  
2. Unplug the microwave.
3. Take out the glass plate and spinning wheel inside
4. Wash these in soapy water 
5. Let them dry in the dish drain while you finish the task
6. Please be careful of the glass plate.  It is heavy and breaks like crystal (many small pieces scatter all over the place if you drop it).  

IF YOU DROP AND BREAK THE GLASS PLATE 

INSIDE THE MICROWAVE

 - THE MICROWAVE CANNOT BE USED 

UNTIL A NEW ONE IS PURCHASED TO REPLACE IT.

7. Then wipe clean all the surfaces of the inside of the microwave.  
8. Do not use any scratching implement - EVER
9. Do not remove or get the little cardboard panel you may notice on the one side of the microwave.  
10. Once every surface is clean, leave the door open for a bit so it dries out thoroughly
11. Place the dry spinning wheel inside and ensure the plate is properly seated inside so it will spin automatically.
12. Plug the microwave back in.

Be sure to test the spinning plate inside by putting a small cup of water inside and off to the side a bit.  Close the door and step back to ensure that it spins around smoothly.  If so, take the cup out and you are done.  If it does not spin properly, take the cup out and fiddle with the glass plate to ensure it is seated properly on the spinning wheel.  Test it again to be sure it is right.

NEVER EVER WATCH YOUR FOOD INSIDE 

THE MICROWAVE WHILE IT IS COOKING!

Studies have shown this is a possible contributor to glaucoma.  This eye condition affects your sight by beginning to block out the middle view of your eyes and leaving you only able to see out of the sides of your eyes (peripheral vision).  It is progressive and cannot be reversed once it begins.