Stove Burners

unclog dirt and rust in your gas stove burners with these easy steps:

1. Switch off the gas valve and make sure all burners are turned off and cooled down.

2. Disassemble them one by one, taking out each unit's removable parts: grate, cap, burner and drip.

3. Soak each part in hot soapy water for 15 minutes and gently scrub. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

4. Clear the burner's flame openings by using a pin or needle to poke out dirt and gunk.

5. Use steel wool to scrub off food crusts from the burner base, and a sponge to absorb loose debris.

6. Reinstall and reposition the burners properly.

Mess in the Microwave

Hardened food Loosen burnt food and splatters by heating a bowl of equal parts lemon juice and water on high for 60 seconds, then clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Scrub tough food stains using a cloth and baking soda solution (one cup water and one tablespoon baking soda).

Melted plastic Let the plastic cool completely and scrape off with a spatula. Wipe the microwave surface down with a dishcloth soaked in equal parts water and vinegar or lemon juice. Freshen up the microwave by heating a bowl of the lemon juice solution mentioned above.

Leaky Fridge

Unplug the fridge, remove all foods and check these three possible culprits:

The seal Ensure there are no crumbs on the door's rubber gasket that cause cold air to escape and form moisture. Clean and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly as lubricant. Replace the seals if there are cracks.

The drip pan Behind the fridge, find a drip pan at the bottom (some models have a fixed pan). Clean it and fill with water to spot leaks. If there are holes, replace it.

The icemaker Inspect the hoses leading to the icemaker. Check if the fittings are tight and aligned. Tighten with pliers if you see leaks. Buy a new hose if there are breaks.

Tip! Uncooked white rice keeps your coffee or spice grinder from getting blunt and sluggish. Grind up a handful of rice - it will pick up any lingering coffee or spice residue from the bowl and blades of the grinder, as well as sharpen the blades.