• Empty contents and check for anything past its best
• Remove shelves and drawers and wash with warm, soapy water
• Wipe door seals carefully — moisture trapped in the seal folds encourages mould
• Defrost manually if ice builds up beyond a few millimetres (unless you have a Frost Free model)

• Run an empty hot cycle with citric acid or a dedicated dishwasher cleaner to remove grease and limescale
• Remove and rinse the filter — a blocked filter is the most common cause of poor cleaning performance
• Check the spray arms for blocked holes and clear with a toothpick if needed
• Wipe door seals and edges where debris tends to collect

Hobs

• Gas hobs: remove burner caps and clean with warm soapy water. Clear blocked jets with a toothpick — never a metal implement.
• Induction and ceramic hobs: use a specialist hob scraper to remove burnt-on food while still slightly warm, then apply hob cleaner and buff dry.

Ovens

• Use a dedicated oven cleaner or the self-clean (pyrolytic) function if your model has one, then wipe down residue once cooled
• Remove racks, trays, and any detachable parts and soak in hot soapy water
• Clean door glass inside and out — a clear door lets you monitor cooking without opening the oven and losing heat

• Wipe up spills immediately — baked-on food is much harder to remove and can cause arcing
• For a deep clean: place a bowl of water with lemon juice or white vinegar inside and heat for 3 minutes. The steam softens residue, making it easy to wipe away
• Remove and wash the turntable plate and ring separately
• Wipe door seals — these are often overlooked but affect how well the door closes

Washing machines

• Run a 60°C empty maintenance wash with a dedicated washing machine cleaner or a mix of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar
• Remove and rinse the detergent drawer — residue build-up here causes blockages and mould
• Clean the rubber door seal thoroughly, paying attention to the inner fold where moisture and lint collect
• Leave the door and drawer slightly open after use to allow air circulation

Tumble dryers

• Clean the lint filter after every single load — a clogged filter restricts airflow, extends drying times, and is a fire risk
• Periodically vacuum the vent and ductwork to maintain drying performance and prevent overheating
• For condenser dryers, empty and rinse the water container after each use

• Kettles: descale monthly using white vinegar or a branded descaler. A scaled-up element uses more energy and takes longer to boil.
• Toasters: unplug, slide out the crumb tray, and shake out debris weekly. Built-up crumbs are a fire risk.
• Blenders and food processors: clean blades immediately after use to prevent food drying on. Most jugs and bowls are dishwasher safe — check the manual.