Tips To Clean Your Electric Toaster

Early in the morning the first thing you walk towards in the kitchen is your toaster to prepare breakfast. It is the fastest thing which can get your food ready in minutes when you are in a hurry to reach your workplace on time. Obviously once you have the food, you hardly bother about the crumbs and bits getting deposited in your toaster everyday.

These leftover crumbs and bits inside your toaster may damage it in the long run. These can cause the toaster to emit sparks which can also lead to some unwanted mishap. So, to avoid such a situation you need to clean your toaster of these particles so that it functions smoothly over time. Every electric toaster has a side tray which should be cleaned regularly to remove the crumbs and debris.

Tips To Clean Your Electric Toaster

How often you need to clean your toaster depends on the how much you use it. However you should clean it at least once in week. Follow these tips and keep your toaster free of dirt and debris:

Switch it off: The most important step before beginning to clean the toaster is to power off the appliance. Then unplug the toaster and lay it on a layer of newspaper. This will help you to collect the crumbs together.

Clean the crumb tray: Most toasters have a removable tray at the bottom. Most of the crumbs get deposited in this tray. Throw the crumbs and clean this tray with a damp cloth or sponge. Wiping the tray with vinegar will sanitize it even more. If your toaster does not have the removable tray then turn the toaster upside down over your trash can to get rid of the crumbs. Use a small brush to clean the crumbs and bits sticking to the coil.

Salt: To give the toaster a thorough cleaning, you can add some large salt crystals through the toast slots. Cover the toast slots with grease paper and fasten with a tape. Shake the toaster up and down to disperse the salt. Salt will help in cleaning the carbon deposits and remove the pests who might have crawled through the toast slots. Make sure that the salt is completely cleaned off the toaster or it may cause corrosion due to moisture of the salt. Hence use large salt crystals only.

Cleaning it outside: Mix one tablespoon of vinegar in a mug of water and soak a cloth in it. Then wipe off the stains outside your toaster with this cloth. In case of tough stains use a little soda bicarbonate or baking soda to scrub the stains gently. Use a soft and non scratching sponge or wiping cloth to prevent scratches.

Keeping your toaster clean will keep it running better over time. It is crucial to keep your electric toaster free of food particles, dust and debris to avoid fire hazards at home.

Story first published: Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 18:39 [IST]
Read more about: cleaning tips improvement