Sustainability Week 2026
This text is a part of a collection of sustainability-themed articles we’re operating to watch Earth Day 2026 and promote extra sustainable practices. Try all of our Sustainability Week 2026 content material.
Do you’ve a damaged kitchen equipment lurking in the back of a cupboard? Maybe an air fryer that is stopped heating, or a blender with a damaged seal? You are not alone. In line with analysis from equipment producer Tefal, 88% of British folks have not less than one unused equipment at house, and over a 3rd have three to 5 in what Patrick Lucereau, Advertising and marketing Director at Tefal UK, calls a “kitchen graveyard”.
Nonetheless, the most effective factor to do is hold your home equipment out of the “kitchen graveyard” within the first place by taking correct care of them, with cautious cleansing and upkeep. This is easy methods to present your small home equipment some love and provides them an extended and helpful life.
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Additionally keep in mind that if a small a part of an equipment breaks (like a lid or a seal), the producer usually sells replacements or can ship you one in case you write to their assist division.
Air fryers
Air fryers get greasy — it is of their nature — however common deep cleansing will assist forestall dust build up and inflicting issues like overheating and dangerous smells.
Most of your air fryer’s elements, together with the hampers, racks, and trays, are detachable for simple cleansing, and the basket virtually definitely has a non-stick coating that stops meals and dust from getting really caught on. All the time learn the instruction handbook earlier than you begin washing, and keep away from harsh and abrasive cleansing merchandise that would injury the floor.
Haven’t got the handbook anymore? Discover your air fryer on the producer’s web site, and it is best to have the ability to obtain a PDF copy.
When it is time to give your air fryer a correct deep clear, begin by unplugging it and ensuring it is cool, then soak a fabric in heat, soapy water, wring it out so it is simply damp, and use it to wash any grease and fingermarks from the skin of the equipment. When that is finished, rinse the material, wring it out once more, and wipe the machine all the way down to take away any cleaning soap left behind.
Do not be tempted to make use of glass cleaner in case your fryer has a window; the following time it heats up, so will any residue left on the glass, releasing fumes. As an alternative, clear it the identical means as the remainder of the outside, then buff away any streaks with a dry fabric.
Now look inside your air fryer. Should you discover meals caught to the fan blades or heating factor, clear it off with a brand new toothbrush. If the mannequin permits it, take away the rubber or silicone seal, give it a great wash with heat, soapy water, rinse, and let it dry earlier than changing it. Soiled seals are a typical explanation for odors, so carry on prime of upkeep to keep away from disagreeable smells.
No matter you do, do not be tempted to submerge your air fryer in water or attempt to clear it through the use of it to warmth water or cleansing chemical compounds.
Espresso machines
Espresso machines additionally profit from deep cleansing, which can hold them brewing like new. Each a part of the machine that comes into contact with beans, water, or milk is a possible breeding floor for micro organism (and can even grow mold), so it pays to maintain up with upkeep.
It is best to give your espresso maker a fast clear every time you utilize it, an intensive clear on the finish of the day, and a descaling each month, or after brewing 100 cups of espresso (whichever comes first).
Every time you put together a brew with a handbook espresso machine, be sure to rinse the brew group, purge the steam wand, and wipe the skin of the wand with a moist fabric. On the finish of the day, empty and wash the drip tray, wipe out the portafilter basket with a moist fabric, and hand-wash the deal with and basket.
In case you have an computerized espresso maker, issues are extra difficult as a result of moisture and stray espresso grounds contained in the machine create an ideal setting for issues to develop. On the finish of the day, take away the aspect panel, take out the brewing group, and rinse it in accordance with the producer’s directions. Take away the waste espresso grounds container, empty it, and wash it with soapy water. Empty and wash the drip tray, too, then use a moist fabric to wash up any espresso grounds you possibly can see contained in the machine.
Once you’re finished, go away the whole lot out to dry totally in a single day, and go away the aspect panel off the machine so moisture can evaporate.
No matter sort of espresso machine you’ve, additionally clear the water tank at evening and fill it with contemporary, clear water within the morning.
It is also value cleansing the bean hopper and grinder every now and then, since oils from espresso beans can construct up and finally go rancid, whereas particles can get caught within the grinder burrs and trigger them to stay.
Blenders
With the suitable care, your blender can final for 10 years or extra — belief me, my trustworthy Dualit has been going even longer!
It is best to by no means immerse your blender’s motor unit in water. As an alternative, detach the jug or mixing cup and wipe the skin of the bottom with a moist fabric. If the jug is dishwasher-safe, this would be the best option to get it utterly clear, however be sure to learn the handbook to see how it is best to clear the blade unit and seal.
If the jug is not dishwasher-safe, fill your mixing jug a few third of the best way up with heat however not boiling water. You may add a really small quantity of dish cleaning soap at this stage, too, however not an excessive amount of, otherwise you’ll find yourself with a mountain of suds.
Flip the blender on to offer the soapy combination a great whizz round earlier than emptying the jug and rinsing it with water. Depart the mixing jug to totally dry earlier than inserting the lid again on, as this might trigger damp odors to construct up.
If there are any items of meals left across the blade meeting, take away them with a small, stiff-bristled cleansing brush or an unused toothbrush.
Recycling
All of the following pointers will assist guarantee your kitchen home equipment have an extended, helpful life, however finally a motor will put on out, or a heating factor will surrender the ghost. When it does, do not stuff the damaged gadget in a cabinet and overlook about it — a shocking variety of small family home equipment may be recycled, and it is simpler than you would possibly anticipate.
Within the US, Best Buy accepts small kitchen appliances for recycling in-store, or you possibly can request a mailing box if you cannot take them in particular person. Staples and Walmart additionally supply packages that may settle for e-waste, together with kitchen home equipment. Check out MRM Recycling and Earth 911, the place you possibly can enter your ZIP code to see e-waste recycling services close to you.
Within the UK, Currys and B&Q take small electrical gadgets for recycling, and your native recycling heart would possibly settle for them, too. To see your choices, go to recyclemyelectricals.org.uk and enter your postcode or deal with, then enter the kind of equipment you need to do away with. Relying on the kind of merchandise you’ve and its situation, you possibly can select whether or not you’d prefer to donate, restore, or recycle it, and the positioning will present you areas inside a five-mile radius the place you are able to do that.