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When it comes to cleaning, many of us focus on visible areas like countertops, floors, and sinks, but there’s a hidden part of the home that often gets neglected: the space behind appliances. Cleaning behind appliances is more than just a good practice – it’s crucial for maintaining hygiene, ensuring appliance efficiency, and even preventing fire hazards.
This guide will help you understand why cleaning behind appliances matters, how to do it safely, and how often it should be done.
Why Cleaning Behind Appliances is Important
- Health and Hygiene
Over time, dust, dirt, and debris accumulate behind appliances, which can harbour bacteria and allergens. This hidden build-up can affect air quality and potentially lead to respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma or allergies. Regularly cleaning behind appliances helps to reduce allergens and promotes a healthier living environment.
- Preventing Pests
Unseen food particles can fall behind appliances, creating an attractive space for pests such as rodents, ants, and cockroaches. These pests not only cause hygiene problems but can also damage wiring and insulation. Cleaning behind appliances can reduce the chances of infestation and keep your kitchen pest-free.
- Improving Appliance Efficiency
Dust and dirt can clog vents and fans on appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers, causing them to work harder and use more energy. This inefficiency not only increases your energy bills but can also shorten the lifespan of your appliances. By keeping these areas clean, you help your appliances run more smoothly and extend their longevity.
- Fire Safety
Lint, grease, and dust build-up can become fire hazards, particularly behind ovens, tumble dryers, and refrigerators. Regular cleaning of these areas reduces the risk of electrical fires, making your home safer.
Safety with Cleaning Behind Appliances
Cleaning behind appliances may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be done efficiently and safely. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Turn Off and Unplug
Safety should be your priority. Always turn off and unplug any appliance before moving it. This prevents electrical shocks and reduces the risk of damaging power cords. If you’re cleaning behind a gas appliance like an oven, be sure to turn off the gas supply to avoid potential leaks.
- Move the Appliance Carefully
Many large appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can be heavy and difficult to move. Use gliders or a hand trolley to make the job easier. If you’re moving a washing machine, take care not to disconnect the water supply, and avoid tilting the appliance too far to prevent leaks or damage.
- Vacuum First
Before wiping down the area, use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust, dirt, and debris. A vacuum with a hose attachment is ideal for getting into tight corners and behind the appliance. Make sure to vacuum both the wall and the floor behind the appliance, as well as any venting systems.
- Wipe Down Surfaces
Once the loose dirt is removed, use a damp cloth or sponge with a mild detergent to clean any stains or grime on the floor and walls. For areas with stubborn grease, such as behind an oven, a degreaser can be effective. Ensure all surfaces are thoroughly wiped down and dried before moving the appliance back.
- Clean the Appliance Itself
While the appliance is moved, take the opportunity to clean the appliance’s exterior and any vents or grills. Dust and dirt can clog these parts, affecting performance.
You may also like: How to do a proper oven cleaning at home?
How Often Should You Be Cleaning Behind Appliances?
The frequency of cleaning behind appliances depends on the appliance itself and how much dirt or dust typically accumulates. Here’s a general guideline for different types of appliances:
- Refrigerator: Every 6 months. Cleaning behind and under the fridge helps improve its efficiency and prevents the build-up of dust on coils.
- Oven and Hob: Every 3 to 6 months. Ovens tend to accumulate grease and food particles, so more frequent cleaning is necessary.
- Washing Machine: Every 6 to 12 months. Checking for leaks and cleaning lint build-up helps maintain performance.
- Tumble Dryer: Every 3 to 6 months. Lint and dust are common behind dryers and can be fire hazards, so more regular cleaning is essential.
Preventative Measures
Once you’ve done the hard work of cleaning behind your appliances, it’s worth taking a few preventative measures to make future cleanings easier:
- Use protective pads: Place easy-to-clean mats or pads under appliances to catch dust and debris, making future clean-ups quicker.
- Install appliance gliders: Gliders or sliders make it easier to move heavy appliances without damaging the floor, ensuring you can clean behind them more frequently with minimal effort.
- Check seals and filters regularly: Keeping seals and filters in good condition reduces the amount of dirt and debris that can build up around the appliance.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning behind appliances is a task that’s often overlooked, but it’s an essential part of maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe home. By incorporating this task into your regular cleaning routine, you’ll improve air quality, prevent pests, increase appliance efficiency, and reduce fire risks.
And if home cleaning is not your cup of tea, you can delegate that task to a professional home cleaner. Feel free to contact us and request a cleaning quote. You can find more info about our cleaning services at Merci Cleaning London or on our official Facebook page.
You may also like: 5 reasons for hiring a professional house cleaner
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