10 Home Hacks for Your Appliances

For many, the kitchen is where the magic happens at home. And your appliances are the backbone of said magic. They help us cook, clean, and keep groceries fresh. But did you know that there are more ways you can put your appliances to work? Read on to discover clever home hacks to get the most out of your appliances, plus a little magic you can perform to keep them in top condition.

1. Warm Plates in the Toaster Oven

When you put hot food on a cool plate, your meal’s temperature drops, affecting the overall experience. An easy way to elevate your dinners to “restaurant quality” is to serve your meals on warm plates.  Save energy and space in your oven by setting your toaster oven to its coolest setting, then place your oven-safe plates inside (e.g. glass, ceramic, and steel plates).

2. Make Fresh Breadcrumbs in Your Food Processor or Coffee Grinder

Forgot to pick up breadcrumbs from the store? You can whip some up in a pinch with a coffee grinder or food processor. Slightly toast the bread first to get it crunchy, then either grind it piece by piece on the highest coarseness setting or pulse it in your food processor until it’s the desired consistency. Much fresher and tastier than what you’d buy at the grocers!

3. Wash Your Throw Pillows in the Dishwasher

Have you ever thrown your pillows into the washing machine only to find frayed edges, mangled stuffing, and damaged fabric? Try loading your pillows (without their cases) into the top rack, run a cycle, and omit the heated dry option. You’ll want to avoid suds, so use Borax instead of laundry detergent and hang the pillows to dry.

4. Keep Your Garbage Disposal Sharp and Fresh

Every once in a while, throw some ice cubes and a few small pieces of lemon rind down your garbage disposal while running cold water. The ice will help to keep the blades sharp, and the lemon will eliminate foul odors. 

5. Eliminate Refrigerator Odors

To keep your fridge smelling fresh, keep an open box of baking soda in the back, which gives the smelly particles something to attach to. Trust us on this one, it works like a charm.

6. Use Your Microwave to Disinfect Sponges

Sometimes sponges get smelly quicker than you’d like. If it doesn’t have any metal in it, throw your damp sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds and voilà! In minimal time, 99% of the bacteria in your sponge will be killed or inactivated. 

7. Baking Soda and Vinegar are Your Best Friends

More and more people are leaving their chemical-filled cleaners for more natural, eco-friendly alternatives. The chemical reaction between alkaline baking soda and acidic vinegar creates carbon dioxide bubbles that help lift away stubborn stains and smells. It can be used to clean ovens, washing machines, and sinks, just to name a few. 

8. Steam Clean Your Oven

When your oven is completely cool, place a pot of boiling water inside the oven. The steam will loosen buildup, allowing you to easily wipe away the grime with a sponge. This is a good opportunity to make a DIY cleaning paste with half a cup of baking soda and warm water. Apply the paste to the oven’s stubborn stains and leave it overnight. Wipe the paste away the following day and use a paper towel soaked in white vinegar to remove any remaining stains.

9. Easily Dispose of Dryer Lint

We all know it’s important to clean your dryer’s lint trap after each cycle. Use an empty tissue box to store the lint. The plastic on the top of the box keeps the lint contained, and you can simply discard the box once it’s full.

10. Remove Sticky Labels from Dishes Before Washing

Although it seems like a no-brainer to throw new dishes in the dishwasher to remove their tags, the glue can clog the machine’s filter and pump. To avoid an unnecessary dishwasher repair bill, peel them off by hand before running them through a cycle. 

BONUS – Store Bedding in Pillowcases

Fold and store bedding inside a pillowcase – it keeps the sheets tidy, and you’ll never have to hunt for a matching set again. (Okay, this isn’t really an appliance tip, but it’s such a good idea we couldn’t help but share!)

We hope these simple home hacks help keep your home appliances humming along. However, if you’re having trouble with any of your appliances, give us a call. Our experts will be glad to help.

Happy home hacking!