These are the dirtiest appliances in your kitchen - and tips on how to clean them

Known as the heart of the home, it’s unsurprising how fast our kitchens become dirty – just think about how much time we spend cooking and eating in them. 

You may think you do a stellar job of cleaning the space until it shines, but new research has revealed the common appliances people forget to scrub.

Which kitchen appliances do we forget to clean?

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The study, carried out by cookware store Oliver’s Kitchen, found 69 percent of respondents admitted to not cleaning their oven regularly, while 48 percent said they neglect their fridge. 

A lot of dirty dishcloths - which can be a breeding ground for bacteria - are being reused, with 62 percent confessing that they don’t wash or change them often.

The bad habits even extend to personal hygiene, with 21 percent revealing they don’t wash their hands before preparing food, which is not very encouraging in the age of coronavirus.

Yet, the filthiest kitchen appliance is one you most likely use every day: the microwave. 

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The research found eight out of 10 people said they never clean their microwaves, despite the amount of food which ends up splattered on the inside. 

This can lead to a build-up of bacteria which can be notoriously tedious to get rid of. 

Quick tips to clean your oven, fridge and microwave

Your appliances can be easily cleaned using a few DIY tricks, using supplies already found in the house – move over Mrs Hinch. 

Fridge: Fill a spray bottle with 250mls hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda - a hero household cleaning ingredient. Apply this home-made potion to all the inside walls, the shelves and the inside of the door. Wipe clean with a wet sponge or cloth, et voila. 

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Microwave: A common trick to restore your microwave to its original level of cleanliness only requires one ingredient: a lemon. Cut one in half, and squeeze the pieces into 120ml of water in a microwaveable bowl, and drop in the pieces. Microwave on high power for three minutes, then leave to stand for another five. You should then be able to wipe the whole microwave clean – simple. 

Oven: A classic oven-cleaning solution involves white vinegar. Pour equal parts vinegar and warm water into a spray bottle, and spritz all over the inside of the oven (take out the trays first). Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes, before scrubbing away the grease and grime to reveal a perfectly clean surface.

Repeat these easy tricks every week during your big clean, and you’ll be left with a sparkling kitchen that looks (and smells) brand new.