Read also: Why DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks Rarely Work (and What to Do Instead for a Sparkling Oven)

Take advantage of the fridge cleaning to throw away any expired food.

Fridge Cleaning: Conquering the Clutter, Stains, and Dirt

With summer upon us, keeping your fridge clean and well-functioning becomes crucial. We store more food during the warmer months, from barbeque leftovers to refreshing salads, and a clean, well-maintained fridge ensures everything stays delicious and safe to consume. Here’s what to do to sanitise and freshen up your fridge step-by-step:

1. The Great Food Eviction

Before tackling the nooks and crannies, it’s time for a complete fridge inventory. Grab a basket or two and remove everything – yes, everything! This is your chance to identify expired items (guilty of forgetting that jar of mystery chutney in the back?), conduct a food safety check (goodbye, wilted lettuce!), and mentally note what needs restocking.

2. Sorting and Storing

While the fridge is bare, sort through your food and discard anything past its prime. Place leftovers in airtight containers to prevent them from drying out or tainting other items. Group similar items together: fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawers, dairy products on higher shelves, and meats at the bottom (to prevent any drips from contaminating other items).

Check also: A Professional Cleaner’s Guide to a Spotless Extractor Hood

If you have to use bleach or other strong cleaners when cleaning a particularly dirty fridge, wear gloves to protect your hands. Image by yanalya on Freepik

3. Deep Fridge Cleaning

Now comes the fun part (well, almost!). Here’s what you’ll need:

• Two buckets (one for soapy water, one for rinsing)
• Microfibre cloths, scrubbing sponges
• Rubber gloves
• Baking soda
• White vinegar (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Dish soap
• Bleach (for the really messy situations)

First things first

Remove all shelves and drawers. Most fridge components are removable for a thorough cleaning. Wash them in warm, soapy water in your sink or the shower.

Pro tip: Avoid boiling hot water, which can warp some plastics.

For the fridge interior

Mix a solution of warm water and liquid dish soap in one bucket. Dip your microfibre cloth, wring it out well to avoid dripping, and wipe down all surfaces, including shelves, door shelves, walls, and the rubber door gasket (a breeding ground for bacteria!).

Tackling sticky stains

Baking soda is your secret weapon against stubborn grime. Apply baking soda and water paste to any sticky areas. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub gently with a damp microfibre cloth.

Some types of food like fresh produce are in direct contact with the shelves. That’s why it’s so important to sanitise the fridge interior. Pic: Vadim Vasenin Deposit photos

Dealing with mouldy patches

Use equal parts white vinegar and water solution on mouldy spots, gaskets, corners, or drip pan. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Deep fridge sanitisation

Power cut while you were on vacation, and now your fridge is filled with spoiled food and rancid or rotten smell? We’ve been there! Everything will be okay, but the fridge needs sanitisation beyond dish soap and baking soda. Mix 1 litre of water with 4 tbsp bleach and wipe every part of the interior. Use gloves when doing this.

Side note from our experienced end of tenancy cleaners who regulalry deal with deep fridge cleaning: If you plan to use any other cleaning products to clean your fridge right after you clean it with bleach, make sure they don’t contain ammonia.

Rinse and Dry

Once you’ve finished cleaning the interior, empty the soapy water bucket and rinse everything down with clean water. Use a fresh microfibre cloth to wipe away any remaining moisture.  Leaving surfaces damp can lead to mould growth.

Read also: 4 Easy Steps to an Impeccably Clean Washing Machine

With glass cleaner, you can easily remove fingerprints and smears from the fridge door.

Exterior Fridge Cleaning

The fridge’s exterior also deserves some TLC:

• Wipe down the surface: Use a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and splashes. For stubborn stains, a diluted vinegar solution often works wonders.
• Tackling greasy splashes: If your fridge is near a cooker, you might find oil or food splashes on the outside. Baking soda paste, oven degreaser, or a solution of warm water with a few drops of dish soap can help remove these sticky messes.

Bonus Tip: Removing Children’s Art

We understand that little hands sometimes have a way of “decorating” appliances with stickers; some leave stubborn, sticky, adhesive residues. Here’s how to remove them without damaging the fridge surface:

• Heat it: A hairdryer set on low heat can loosen the adhesive on the sticker. Hold the hairdryer a few inches from the sticker and slowly peel off as the adhesive softens. Be careful not to overheat the surface, especially with stainless steel fridges.
• Treatment with oil: A little vegetable oil can go a long way. Apply a small amount to the edges of the sticker and leave it for a few minutes. The oil will help loosen the adhesive, allowing you to peel it off gently. Afterwards, clean the area with soapy water.
• The dental floss trick: Slide dental floss underneath the edge of the sticker and gently glide it back and forth. It can be a slow process, but it’s effective for removing stubborn stickers without leaving marks.

While these methods work well for existing artwork, a little prevention goes a long way. Consider using designated sticker areas on the fridge, like a small whiteboard section, to channel your little artist’s creativity.

Check also: Deep Cleaning vs Regular Home Cleaning: What You’re Actually Missing

A foul smell of spoiled food is a good reason to clean your fridge during the summer. Image by bearfotos on Freepik

Dealing with Fridge Funk

Here are the most common sources of foul odours in your fridge and how to deal with them:

• Expired food: This is the most likely culprit. Double-check for forgotten food items, especially behind condiments and crisper drawers.
• Spoiled spills: Clean up any spills promptly to prevent odours and stains.
• Strong-smelling foods: Wrap pungent foods like onions, cheese, and fish in airtight containers to neutralise them. Consider using baking soda as a natural odour absorber in a small open container.

Freshening Up: Beyond the Baking Soda

While baking soda does wonders for most odours, there are instances where it might not be enough. Here are some additional options:

• Coffee grounds: Place a small bowl of fresh coffee grounds in your fridge to absorb strong-smelling odours like fish or garlic. Discard and replace when the coffee grounds lose their potency.
• Lemon halves: Cut a lemon in half and place it on a shelf. The citric acid helps neutralise odours and leaves a pleasant, fresh scent. Replace the lemon halves every few days.

If your fridge smells like nail polish, you might have to call an appliance repair service.

The Mystery Stench

Sometimes, the culprit behind a smelly fridge isn’t a cleaning issue. Here are some additional tips to keep odours at bay: Here are some common culprits:

• Overflowing drip pan: the drip pan that collects condensation can start smelling mouldy or musky over time. Check your manual for its location and clean it regularly.
• Freon leak: If the interior of your appliance reeks of acetone or nail polish, you are most probably facing a more severe issue. Contact a qualified appliance repair technician immediately if you suspect a Freon leak. Freon is a refrigerant gas that can be toxic if inhaled.

Read also: 5 Things We Often Forget When Cleaning Our Home

Keeping fish and poultry in an open container is a recipe for stinky fridge. Image by freepik

Maintaining Fridge Freshness: A Long-Term Strategy

Now that your fridge is sparkling clean and odour-free, here are some habits to keep it that way:

• Don’t let spills become breeding grounds for bacteria and odours. Address them as soon as they happen.
• Use airtight containers for leftovers and strong-smelling foods. Wrap fruits and vegetables in breathable storage bags.
• Schedule a quick fridge inspection every week. Identify and discard expired food before it becomes a source of odours or potential foodborne illnesses.
• Aim for a thorough fridge clean every 3 months or more often if needed. Deep cleaning ensures a hygienic environment for your food and keeps your fridge functioning optimally.

KTMA Ltd.: Professional Expertise for Long-Lasting Freshness

Don’t have the time to clean? We can help! Our experienced domestic cleaners in London can do much more than tackle dirty appliances! Call us for a one-off cleanup or regular home cleaning. Let us take care of the cleaning so you can enjoy the summer with your family!

The post The Ultimate Guide to a Fresh and Clean Fridge appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

As professionals with years of experience in oven cleaning in London, we’ve seen it all—burnt-on spills, stubborn caked-on grease, and ovens that haven’t been properly cleaned in years. While we appreciate the desire to save money or to conquer the task, the truth is that DIY oven cleaning methods often fail to deliver a truly extensive cleaning.

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing some of the reasons why DIY oven cleaning hacks might not be as effective as you think and what you can do instead to achieve a sparkling oven that you’ll be proud of.

Read also: Our Professionals’ Guide to Impeccably Clean Extractor Hood

Some DIY oven cleaning hacks involve abrasive products that can scratch the appliance’s surface.

The Trouble with DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks

There are many reasons why DIY oven cleaning methods can fall short. Here are a few of the most common:

Ineffective cleaning power: Many DIY recipes rely on common household ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda. While these ingredients are safe and non-toxic, they don’t have the grease-cutting power to tackle baked-on grime, burnt sugar, and stubborn food stains.

Abrasive ingredients: Some DIY methods recommend using abrasive materials like baking soda or salt to scrub the oven. While these can be effective on light grime, they can also scratch the surface of your appliance, making it more susceptible to staining and more challenging to clean in the future.

Time-consuming: First, scouring your oven for hours on end is no one’s idea of fun. Second, many DIY hacks require extensive scrubbing and soaking, which can be a chore, especially on a heavily soiled oven.

Safety concerns: The improper use of certain household products can be dangerous. A common mistake to avoid is combining bleach and ammonia, which can produce toxic gases.

Incomplete cleaning: DIY methods can work well on the surface of the oven; however, they often leave grease and grime behind in the nooks and crannies, like in between the oven door glass or the racks and their rails and other awkward and hard-to-see places.

Check also: 4 Easy Steps to a Perfectly Cleaned Washing Machine

Sometimes only strong cleaning products can change the grime sight of your heavily soiled oven.

DIY Oven Cleaning with High-Quality Products

We understand that not everyone may be ready to call in a professional cleaning service. If you’re looking to tackle oven cleaning yourself, there are ways to do so effectively. Still, ditching the baking soda and vinegar routine for heavily soiled ovens is crucial to the outcome. Here’s what you can do:

• Invest in high-quality commercial cleaners: Skip the supermarket cleaning aisle, head to a professional cleaning supply store, or look up specialised sites online. You’ll find high-quality commercial-grade oven cleaners formulated to tackle tough baked-on grease and grime. These cleaners are more potent than household products and cut through grime faster.
• Safety first: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using any cleaning product. Wear thick gloves and eye protection, and ensure proper ventilation when using harsh chemicals.
• Prepare the oven: The prep work is just as important as the cleaning itself. If you’ve used the appliance before the cleaning, allow it to cool completely. Remove oven racks and detachable components (like drip pans) and soak them in a hot, soapy water bath with a degreaser added. Cover the surrounding surfaces with old towels to protect them from splatters.
• Apply the cleaner: Following the product instructions, spread generous amounts to the oven interior, avoiding heating elements and the fan. Many commercial cleaners have a foamy consistency that clings to surfaces, ensuring maximum contact time.
• Let it work: Allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended amount of time, which can range from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the product. This time allows the cleaner to break down tough grease and grime.
• Scrub and rinse: Once the dwell time is complete, put on thick gloves and use a non-abrasive scouring pad or sponge to scrub the loosened grime. Pay particular attention to greasy areas and burnt-on food stains. Rinse the oven interior thoroughly with clean water, ensuring that all traces of cleaner are removed. Repeat this step if necessary.
• Dry completely: Once you rinse the appliance, use clean cloths or towels to dry the oven interior completely. Leaving any moisture behind can promote mould growth.

While high-quality commercial products can be effective on moderately soiled ovens, you can still encounter some limitations to DIY oven cleaning:

• Time commitment: Oven cleaning, even with good products, can be a dull and lengthy task, especially when dealing with old stubborn stains and dirt.
• Safety hazards: Commercial oven cleaners are powerful and can irritate the skin and eyes if not appropriately handled.
• Stubborn stains: Even commercial-grade cleaners may struggle with heavily soiled ovens with baked-on grease or burnt-on food.

Read also: 7 Ultimate Tips for a Safe and Easy Cleaning Routine

Happy House Cleaning’s experienced professionals will get your oven spotless.

Our Professional Approach to a Sparkling Oven

So, what can you do instead of wrestling with DIY oven-cleaning hacks? The answer is simple: book a professional cleaner for the job! Here’s what our professional oven cleaning service involves:

1. Pre-clean inspection: Our cleaner will examine your oven to assess the level of cleaning required. This inspection will help them determine the best approach and choose the right cleaning products.
2. Safe appliance disassembly: We will carefully disassemble the oven door and remove the racks and trays. This step allows the cleaner to access all oven surfaces, including the door seal and the oven cavity interior.
3. Professional-grade oven cleaning products: We use high-quality, commercial-grade cleaning products specifically formulated to tackle tough oven grease and grime. These products are safe for use on your oven and will not damage the surface.
4. Meticulous cleaning: Our cleaner will then thoroughly work on all oven surfaces, including the interior cavity, the door, the racks, and the trays. We always pay particular attention to areas prone to grease buildup, such as around the oven element and the drip pan.
5. Reassembly and final touches: Our cleaner will reassemble the door and replace the racks and trays once the oven is clean. They will also wipe down the oven’s exterior to leave it sparkling clean.

Check also: 10 Spring Cleaning Tips to Help You Tackle the Task Like a Pro

You can count on us to make your appliance shine!

Get a Pristine Oven with Happy House Cleaning

Don’t hesitate to book our professional cleaning service if you value your time and safety and want a spotless oven. Happy House Cleaning’s experts will make your appliance pristine and ensure all nooks and crannies, including the door, racks, and sides, are squeaky clean. We use only the safest and most effective products to leave your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.

So, whether you tackle oven cleaning yourself with high-quality commercial products or call in KTMA Ltd. Company, remember: a clean oven is a happy oven!

The post Why DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks Often Fail (and What to Do Instead for a Sparkling Oven) appeared first on KTMA Ltd..

Vapours from soups and stews contain small amounts of grease that accumulate on the hood over time.

The Dirty Truth: Why Regular Cleaning of Your Extractor Hood Matters

As professional home cleaners here in London, we see extractor hoods in all states of disrepair. The good news is a clean extractor hood isn’t just about aesthetics (although, let’s be honest, a gleaming hood makes the whole kitchen feel brighter!). Here’s why regular cleaning is essential:

• Grease buildup: Extractor hoods become magnets for airborne grease particles over time. The buildup not only looks unpleasant, but it can also be a fire hazard.
• Foul odours: Grease traps cooking smells, leading to lingering odours in your kitchen. No one wants their home smelling like last night’s curry!
• Reduced effectiveness: A clogged extractor hood simply can’t do its job properly. Grease buildups equal more steam, smoke, and cooking smells wafting throughout your home.
• Kitchen aesthetics: A grimy extractor hood can drag down the entire look of your kitchen.

Read also: 5 Oven Cleaning Hacks You Wish You Tried Sooner

Follow our cooker hood cleaning method for a kitchen that shines.

The Easiest Way to Clean Your Extractor Hood

Now that you’re convinced, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of cleaning your cooker hood!

Gather Your Cleaning Arsenal:

To conquer your extractor hood grease, you’ll need a trusty team of cleaning supplies. Here’s what to have on hand:

• Protective gear: Rubber gloves will shield your hands from harsh chemicals.
• Gentle cloths: Microfiber cloths are perfect for delicate surfaces, ensuring a scratch-free clean.
• Scrub power: A soft cleaning sponge helps loosen the dirt and tackles everyday grime.
• Reach for the tight spots: An old toothbrush is your secret weapon for those hard-to-reach corners of the appliance.
• Natural cleaning duo: Baking soda, a natural degreaser, handles lighter grease buildup, while white vinegar cuts through grime with ease.
• Everyday essentials: Dish soap and warm water are your workhorses for any kitchen cleaning chore.
• For stubborn grease (optional): A degreaser can be your saviour for tackling heavy grease buildup on hoods, hobs, ovens and other cooking appliances.
• Additional tools for some models of extractor hoods: Depending on your appliance, you might need a screwdriver to remove the filters.

Remember: When dealing with heavy grease buildup, bringing out the big guns is okay! Don’t hesitate to use the degreaser for those incredibly stubborn, sticky old grease stains.

Check also: 8 Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar

Before cleaning the extractor hood, ensure it is turned off and disconnected from the power source.

Step-by-Step Cleaning of The Cooker Hood:

Here’s the tried-and-tested method to make your appliance shine recommended by our specialists:

1. Safety first! Turn off the extractor hood and unplug it from the mains.
2. Consult your manual: Most extractor hoods have removable filters. Check the appliance’s user manual for specific instructions on how to remove them.
3. Tackle the filters: Here’s the hero of the show! Fill the kitchen sink with warm, soapy water and add a cup of white vinegar. Soak the filters for at least 30 minutes or longer for heavily greased filters. If the grease is particularly stubborn, prepare a thick baking soda and water paste to scrub stubborn areas. Pro Tip: use an old toothbrush for a bit more muscle for those stubborn stains.
4. Deep clean the extractor hood: While the filters soak, get to work on the hood itself. Wipe down the entire surface using a microfiber cloth dampened with warm, soapy water. Pro Tip: For particularly greasy areas, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and use a circular motion to scrub.
5. Fight the grease: A degreaser can be your best friend for heavily greased areas. Test the product on a small, inconspicuous hood area first to ensure it doesn’t cause discolouration.
6. Rinse and shine: Once you’ve removed all the grease and grime, rinse the hood and filters with clean water and dry them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. A sparkling clean hood is just a polish away! A stainless steel cleaner can add a finishing touch, but a simple microfiber buff will do in a pinch.
7. Reassemble and relax: Reattach the clean filters and reconnect the hood to the mains. Pat yourself on the back – your extractor hood is back in tip-top shape!

Read also: 4 Simple Steps for DIY Deep Cleaning of Your Washing Machine

Hoods built up in the cabinets can collect dirt that is easier to overlook, so make sure to check the appliance occasionally.

Keeping the Extractor Hood Clean:

Here are a few ways to extend the life between deep cleans:

1. Wipe it down regularly: After every few uses, give the hood a quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth to prevent grease buildup.
2. Replace filters regularly: Most extractor hood filters need replacing every 3-6 months, depending on how often you cook.
3. Deep clean every few months: Schedule a deep clean of your extractor hood every 3-4 months to prevent a heavy grease buildup.

Check also: Deep Cleaning vs Regular House Cleaning: What’s the Difference

Feeling Overwhelmed? We’ve Got You Covered!

Let’s be honest: London life is hectic. If the thought of tackling your extractor hood fills you with dread, don’t despair! Happy House Cleaning London’s friendly and professional home cleaning team is here to help. We’ll take care of your cooker hood and all your other kitchen appliances, leaving your home sparkling clean and smelling fresh.

Weekends are for living, not scrubbing. Get a spotless kitchen without lifting a finger! Call us today on 077 3548 6642 or use our booking form to request a free quote. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

The post One Professional Cleaner’s Guide to Impeccably Clean Extractor Hood appeared first on KTMA Ltd..