Kitchen Cleaning

Important - what you need to know before using cleaning agents

There is one thing that is particularly important to do before you start using various cleaning agents and that is to read the accompanying instructions.

If you accidentally use the cleaning agent incorrectly, you risk damaging the machine or the surfaces where you use it.

You may also find that you do not achieve the optimal result if the instructions are not followed.

Additionally, some products may require extra caution, including wearing gloves during use.

There are typically also specific instructions on how to subsequently store the various cleaning agents for safe storage.

Descaling

Descaling agents are somewhat of a broad category, and they are because you can find descalers for many different appliances in the home.

In fact, you can get descaling agents for almost all the machines and appliances in the home that use water.

This includes everything from coffee machines, kettles, and milk frothers, to irons and steam stations, to dishwashers and washing machines.

You will find descaling solutions that are specifically for certain appliances, but you can also find universal descaling solutions that can be used for almost all types of machines experiencing scale buildup.

If you are unsure why it is necessary to descale, it is because Danish water can contain a lot of lime, which settles in the machines.

If lime is allowed to build up in the machine, it can shorten the machine's lifespan, so it is a good idea to descale from time to time.

Cooktop cleaner

Before you buy a cooktop cleaner, you need to be aware of what kind of cooktop you have.

There are gas cooktops, induction cooktops, ceramic cooktops, and mass cooktops, among others.

Ceramic cooktop cleaner

The ceramic cooktop cleaner can often also be used on induction cooktops since both are made of glass and thus require a mild cleaning.

You can find ceramic cooktop cleaners in various forms, including spray, foam, and scrubbing cream.

Typically, you just apply the cooktop cleaner and wipe it afterward, whereas other agents need to be scrubbed in a bit, but the instructions will indicate how the product should be used.

Scraper for ceramic and induction cooktops

It is often a small scraper made of metal or plastic with a small metal blade, which is the actual scraper head.

They are somewhat similar to hobby knives, where you can push the scraper blade up when you want to use it and down when you are no longer using it.

This way, you will not damage the scraper when it is not in use and will also not accidentally scratch anything with it.

The scraper is used to remove burnt food, so it can help remove much of what a normal cloth cannot handle.

Each time you need to use the scraper, you should check that there are no nicks in it, so you do not end up damaging and scratching your cooktop.

Oven cleaner

Many oven cleaners can actually be used in both regular ovens as well as microwave ovens, but always check the instructions first to be safe.

Some types of cleaning agents require you to turn on the oven, often at a low temperature, to get the oven cleaner to react and thus work, while others just need time to work.

Then, of course, there are also products that work immediately with a bit of elbow grease.

Oven cleaners come in various consistencies and with different advantages and capabilities, and you can see some of them below.

Spray

You can get oven cleaners in spray form, either as a liquid, gel, or foam.

The consistency itself does not have any bearing on the effectiveness, but you may have a preferred consistency to work with.

Scrubbing cream

Oven cleaner is also available as a scrubbing cream, but this is often only to be used on specific parts of the oven, so it's again important to read the instructions carefully.

Typically, you may want to use mild scrubbing cream on, for example, baking trays and oven racks, but again, check the instructions for safety.

Wipes

You can also get disposable wipes to clean your oven with. They work just like you might know from regular wet wipes, just that they are soaked in cleaning agent instead.

They are therefore easy and quick to pull out and clean with, which is handy for small spills in the oven.

With wipes, you also do not have a cloth that needs to be washed afterward, making it an easy cleaning in several ways.

Fridge cleaner

A fridge can become very dirty over time and also easily start to smell. 

Therefore, it is important to clean your fridge from time to time, so food does not come into contact with a lot of dirt.

For the same reason, it is indeed important that you use cleaning agents that are specifically meant for use in the refrigerator so that your food does not come into contact with harsh cleaning agents.

Fridge cleaners often come in a spray bottle, making it super easy for you to work with.

Glass cleaner

Glass cleaners may not necessarily only be used on glass, but are often also a good cleaner for screens, such as computer screens, phones, and tablets.

Foam

There are specific types of foam sprays for cleaning glass, which are also particularly well-suited for cleaning electronic devices.

In many cases, the foam glass cleaner is therefore also antistatic and antibacterial.

When we touch our phones, tablets, computers, and other equipment multiple times during the day, many bacteria can settle on the devices.

Therefore, the antibacterial property is particularly good for the glass surfaces we touch often, to minimize the amount of bacteria.

Spray

To get beautiful shiny windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces, the more common glass spray with liquid is very good.

You know this glass cleaner by the often distinctive blue color of the liquid and the spray bottle makes the cleaning agent super easy to work with.

Cleaning agents

Cleaning agent for stainless steel

A smart cleaning agent particularly suitable for stainless steel, which cleans and polishes the steel surface at the same time.

It can be used for stainless steel on many different surfaces and kitchen appliances, such as the exterior of dishwashers, hoods, refrigerators, stoves, splash backs, and many other appliances in stainless steel.

Steel brush

With steel brushes, you need to be careful about which surfaces you use them on, so you do not leave scratches or completely ruin coatings.

Steel brushes work particularly well on some grout and tiles or, for example, on grill grates.

Because steel brushes are so coarse, they are good for removing ingrained food and generally just for tougher stains and dirt.

Sometimes you can also find steel brushes in sets, where they may also come with nylon or brass bristles.

Dishwasher cleaning

There are various types of cleaning agents for dishwashers and different ways you can clean them.

From time to time, the dishwasher needs a thorough cleaning, and it includes places where you cannot reach yourself, so a machine cleaning product is a good idea.

It can indeed clean in drains and corners where you have difficulty accessing.

Typically, dishwasher cleaner comes in liquid or powder form and usually works well against grease, as well as food and limescale residues.

Grease remover

Grease can be difficult to remove and unfortunately often sits in many places after cooking.

Particularly cooktops and frying pans can end up being well-greased, but hoods and ovens can also accumulate grease over time.

Some grease removers can be so strong that there are certain materials they should not be used on, so it is important that you are aware of this.

Grease removers help dissolve the grease, making it easier to wipe off and not just smear it around even more.

Spray

A grease remover in spray form is easy to work with, especially if you have tough grease residues.

This way, you can easily target the surfaces you want and let the grease remover sit for a bit and work, making it easier to wipe off afterward, provided the instructions recommend this.

It is usually only certain materials that can withstand the product sitting on them for an extended period of time.

Wipes

Wipes are especially good for removing grease immediately and can usually be used on most types of surfaces in the kitchen.

They can typically also leave surfaces such as aluminum shinier and can make the material less susceptible to marks and greasy fingerprints.

You can find many different appliances such as grills, induction cooktops, wine coolers, hot water dispensers and much more at avXperten.