Cleaning Countertop Appliances

Philip Friedman/Studio D

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Biggest Challenges

1. Greasy, crumby toaster oven

2. Splattered microwave

3. Sluggish coffeemaker; stained carafe

Fastest Fixes

1. Tackle the toaster oven. This little guy takes on breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and has the burned crumbs and baked-on pizza cheese as proof. Unplug it and remove the crumb tray, rack, and any soiled pans, and spray them __with an all-purpose cleaner. Use a nonabrasive scrubbing sponge to get off gunk. Rinse and let air-dry. Now, back to the oven: Spritz a plain sponge (for nonstick interiors) or a scrubber sponge (for regular interiors) __with more cleaner. Never spray appliances directly, and steer clear of the heating elements inside. Wipe down the inside surfaces, including the glass door; now hit the exterior. Thoroughly rinse and wring the sponge (to avoid streaking); go over the same areas. Be sure the oven's dry — about five minutes — before plugging it in.

2. Zap microwave stains. Want to erase last week's baked-beans explosion? The easiest way to clean cooked-on bits of food: Heat a cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl on High for five minutes — the steam from the boiling water should make any mess wipe right off with a sponge. Remove the bowl and microwave turntable; wipe down the latter plus the inside surfaces of the oven, with an extra pass around the frame so the door closes tightly. For the exterior and the control panel, spray a cloth with all-purpose cleaner and wipe. Rinse.

3. Pump up the brew. If your coffeemaker's taking longer to drip these days, it may be clogged with hard-water minerals. To flush them out, follow the owner's manual, or try this GHRI-tested trick: Fill the chamber with equal parts white vinegar and water. Insert a paper filter into the empty basket, and put the empty carafe in place. Allow it to brew halfway; turn off the coffeemaker. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Turn it back on, finish the brewing, and dump the vinegar water. Rinse the machine by putting in a new paper filter and brewing a full pot of water; repeat. To clean a dingy glass carafe, fill it with warm sudsy water and add some rice as a light abrasive. Swirl the mixture inside the pot. Empty the pot and use your scrubber sponge to remove the loosened gunk.

Make It Easier Next Time

• Clean the toaster oven's drip tray regularly. Though lining it with foil is tempting, don't — it can cause overheating and even a fire.
• Keep a paper plate near the microwave oven to cover foods and prevent splatters.
• Consider a coffeemaker with a built-in filter that captures clog-causing minerals, like one made by Cuisinart.