How to Clean Behind and Beneath Your Kitchen Appliances

The areas behind and underneath your kitchen appliances are easy to overlook on cleaning day. However, they often hide dust, hair, food remnants and other unpleasant things. The buildup will eventually become visible from the front of the appliances if you don’t clean this space regularly. The mess also attracts pests and impacts the longevity and performance of your appliances.

While cleaning the appliances is essential, you don’t want to risk damaging them or getting electrocuted. How do you safely clean behind and beneath your kitchen appliances?

How Often Should You Clean Behind and Under Appliances?

As a rule of thumb, clean behind and under appliances at least once every few months. However, if you know there’s something nasty lurking behind or below an appliance, clean it right away.

For example, if spaghetti sauce slides down the side of the stove while you’re cooking dinner, clean the mess as soon as the stove cools down. Otherwise, the sauce can attract pests. It can also breed mold and germs. If your kitchen smells funky and you can’t find the source, it might be time to clean behind and underneath your appliances.

How to Clean Behind Heavy Appliances

Appliances like the fridge and oven are heavy, and the spaces are usually tight. This makes for a challenging cleaning job. To do a thorough cleaning job, you need full access to the appliance. Carefully slide the appliance out and away from the wall. Get help moving the appliance, if needed. Because of the weight, be aware of potential damage to your floor, and move the appliance with care.

Depending on the type of appliance and hookup you have, you may be dealing with an electricity cord or gas line at the back of the appliance. Unplug the cord. If you have gas, turn off the supply valve before disconnecting the line.

Once you have access to the floor underneath the appliance, use a broom or vacuum to remove the debris. Using the handheld attachment for the vacuum, clean the sides and back of the appliance as well. Then, lightly spray an all-purpose cleaner on the area, and use a scrubber or brush to remove any remaining grime. Let the appliance dry completely before reconnecting it and sliding it back into place.

How to Clean Under Appliances Without Hurting Your Back

If you want to avoid the back pain associated with moving a heavy appliance, you can take a different approach. If your vacuum has a flat attachment, slide the attachment underneath the appliance.

An alternative is to use a flathead mop or to attach a microfiber cloth on the end of a broom handle. You can also use this to wipe down the sides and rear of the appliance. When cleaning the rear, be careful not to knock the electrical cord or gas line loose.

Pro Tips for Cleaning Without Moving Appliances

Professional cleaners know tips and tricks that simplify the cleaning process. Use these tips the next time you clean your appliances:

• To access the space below the dishwasher, remove the kickplate. You can then clean the space with a duster or vacuum.
• If you have a built-in refrigerator, remove the motor plate for easier access to the space underneath.
• For ovens that have a bottom drawer, pull out the drawer to clean the floor below.

How to Prevent Dust Buildup in Hard-to-Reach Areas

When the buildup behind and below kitchen appliances gets thick and nasty, the clean-up job is much more difficult. There are several steps that you can integrate into your routine to minimize the buildup.

For example, you can regularly vacuum underneath your appliances with a flat vacuum tool when you clean the rest of your home each week. Around the stove, use a splatter guard to prevent food from spilling down the sides.

The areas underneath and behind kitchen appliances are only some of the spaces that are commonly overlooked on cleaning day. At Cleanzen Manchester, our professional maids are dedicated to giving our valued customers spotless homes. To learn more about our cleaning services and to book an appointment, contact us today.