29 mistakes you’ve been making cleaning your kitchenware

How to avoid common errors

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Despite the best of intentions, you could end up ruining your favourite kitchen utensils by cleaning them the wrong way or using abrasive chemicals. Here are our tips on what to avoid, along with some helpful advice on how to get better results.

You're submerging cast iron in water

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Soaking a cast iron pot in water, placing it in the dishwasher or scrubbing with a scourer will ruin its protective surface. Wash it by hand with mild soap and warm water instead – and don’t forget to ‘season’ it every now and again to give the protective layers a boost. Seasoning involves rubbing the pan with oil and then heating it in the oven, so the fat forms a plastic-like coating.

You’ve been leaving your knives damp

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If you’ve been leaving your knives to dry on the washing-up rack, stop. You need to dry them properly straightaway, as leaving them damp will dull the blades.

You’re using scouring pads on your non-stick pans

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Scrubbing non-stick pans with metal scouring pads will wear away the coating, making it less effective. Use a stiff sponge instead.

You’re leaving grease on your non-stick pans

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Without being too harsh on the Teflon, you must ensure you remove all signs of grease and food particles from non-stick pans. Any build-up will start to carbonise the surface, causing it to deteriorate.

You’re putting non-stick pans in the dishwasher

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They might claim to be dishwasher safe but high temperatures and strong cleaning chemicals will start to wear down the non-stick coating on your pans. Just stick to washing them by hand.

You're over-filling your dishwasher

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Not only does over-filling your dishwasher prevent the water from circulating effectively, but it makes it much more likely that utensils will obstruct the blades. Pack it neatly and sensibly and you'll actually save time and effort, as nothing should need a second wash at the end of the cycle.

You’re not removing limescale from your dishwasher

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To stop your dishwasher covering glassware in limescale in the first place, use a limescale remover once a month and check you’re using enough dishwasher salt. Every other month, give it a good clear out by pouring a cup of vinegar in the bottom before running a normal cycle when it’s empty, which should rinse away any build-up.

You’ve let your glassware go cloudy

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If hard water in your dishwasher has made your glassware go cloudy, you need to give your glasses a thorough hand wash to prevent the build-up becoming permanent. A five-minute soak in vinegar and sponging any stubborn spots with baking soda should do the job.

You’re soaking your wooden chopping board

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No matter how dirty or stained your wooden chopping board, never submerge it in water or put it in the dishwasher. As a porous material, the wood will soak up any liquid and this internal moisture could cause it to warp or crack – and it may even start to rot. Sponge-wash instead and allow to dry thoroughly before storing.

You’re putting wooden spoons in the dishwater

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The same rules apply to the humble wooden spoon. A super-hot clean in the dishwasher will cause the material to deteriorate, fast. If any cracks or splits do appear in wooden utensils, get rid of them – these gaps are perfect places for bacteria to grow.

You’re lazy about defrosting your freezer

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Opening and closing your freezer door allows moisture to creep inside, which will then turn to frost. Allowing this ice to accumulate will damage the temperature sensor and heating coil inside, preventing them from working efficiently. Try to defrost your freezer before the frost builds up to give it a longer lease of life.

You’re not descaling your kettle

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Not descaling your kettle will create a build-up of limescale, which will prevent the elements conducting heat effectively. Not only will this mean it takes longer to boil (thereby using more electricity) but it will eventually burn out. Although you can buy limescale removers, you can’t really beat the old-fashion methods – quarter fill your kettle with vinegar and lemon juice, leave for an hour then top-up with water, boil and rinse with cold water.

You’ve allowed your silverware to tarnish

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If you forget to clean your best silverware, it will start to go a yellowish colour – before turning brown and then black. Prevent this build-up with a non-abrasive silverware cleaner once or twice a year.

You don’t rinse out your blender straightaway

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With all the nooks and crannies around the blades in a blender, it’s easy for food particles to get stuck in there. Not only will this cause mould to develop but it could cause the blades to corrode or rust. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly straight after use and allow to dry before storing it away.

You’re lining your modern oven with foil

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Placing a layer of foil at the bottom of your oven might seem like a good way to catch any drips or crumbs but in modern ovens, this is the kiss of death. The heating element in some 21st-century ovens is right at the bottom, meaning any aluminium foil will fuse to it straightaway. You might be able to shift some of it, but the bottom of your oven could never be the same again.

You’re not cleaning your garlic crusher thoroughly

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Soap and water just won’t cut it when it comes to cleaning your garlic crusher thoroughly. Using a cocktail stick is the best way to ensure you’ve removed any remnants stuck in the grate. Or you could use the potato method – simply push a small piece of potato through the crusher, which will dislodge any stuck garlic and take any odours with it. A piece of bread works just as well, apparently.

You’re cleaning Tupperware with very hot water

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Submerging Tupperware in very hot water or positioning it at the bottom of the dishwasher near the hottest washers will cause the plastic to soften and warp. Stick to lukewarm hand-washing instead.

You’ve given up on stained Tupperware

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If last night’s chicken stew or chilli has stained your Tupperware a dull orange and soapy water just won’t shift it, reach for the baking soda instead. Wipe the inside with a smooth water-and-soda paste and then allow to sit for a few hours. This should get rid of any stubborn marks.

You’re not removing stubborn smells from plastic containers

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To avoid your plastic containers smelling like yesterday’s lunch, clean with vinegar and store them with a pinch of salt, which should help absorb any pungent odours from curries or other strong-smelling foods. Once dry, leave them in direct sunlight for a while, which should also help reduce the problem.

You forget to clean your salad spinner

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No matter how thoroughly you washed your salad, your salad spinner needs more than a cursory wipe down after use. Make sure to wash it with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly. Even better? Get rid of it all together. It's one of many pieces of kitchenware you'd be better to throw away.

You rely on your self-cleaning oven

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Self-cleaning ovens work by using high temperatures to burn leftovers without the need for cleaning products. But you shouldn’t rely on this too often as you risk overheating your appliance, which will damage the elements and fuses. Some experts argue this can also release chemicals coating the inside of the oven.

You’re pouring bleach down the garbage disposal

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Cleaning your garbage disposal with bleach or other abrasive cleaners may cause damage to the pipes and blades. Borax is a good alternative. Rock salt and ice cubes will help dislodge any stubborn sludge while fruit peels, baking soda and vinegar will help eliminate odours.

You never clean your dishwasher door

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You may think your dishwasher gets a good clean every time it’s used, but it’s still important to give the door a thorough going over every now and again. As the water streams face towards the centre, the door is often missed and can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

You’re scrubbing your stainless steel hob

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Using a metal scourer on a stainless steel hob with scar it for life – and scratches will also make it more susceptible to rusting and staining. Bleach is also likely to mark and damage the surface. Use soapy water instead and towel dry to prevent watermarks. Finish with a glass cleaner if you need to remove fingerprints.

You’re descaling your coffee machine with vinegar

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Cleaning a coffee machine with diluted vinegar has been recommended as an eco-friendly way to maintain the machine by removing limescale. But you risk corroding the seal and rubber gaskets inside. Flush with a gentle limescale remover instead.

You're not getting the stains off your coffee cups

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Don't discard stained coffee cups. Soak tea- or coffee-stained mugs with a little bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water overnight and they’ll come out squeaky clean the next day.

You're leaving washing-up water for too long

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Filling up the sink with dirty dishes and leaving them to soak might seem like a good idea, especially if they’re covered in stubborn grime, but leave them for too long and the filthy water will form a nasty stain around the sink. Invest in a washing-up bowl instead.

You're not keeping your counters clean

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There's no point in washing your utensils in a sparklingly clean sink, only to leave them to dry on a dirty counter. Keep things neat with a sink tidy – just one of our top hacks for keeping your kitchen organised.

You don't throw out your sponges

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Sponges and cleaning cloths can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Don't wait until they fall apart: replace them regularly and store them somewhere they can easily drain.