How to Deep Clean Your Appliances Ahead of Christmas

Christmas is always a busy time and household appliances work harder than at any other time of the year. A thoughtful deep clean now helps maintain performance, simplifies ongoing care, and keeps everything running smoothly throughout the festive season. Below, our Product Training Manager, Sophie Lane shares her expert tips on preparing your appliances ahead of the Big Day.

How to Deep-Clean the Oven
Ovens work especially hard over the festive season, so giving yours a deep clean before Christmas is a simple way to make cooking easier and more enjoyable when it matters most. Keeping on top of oven cleaning also prevents grease and food residues from building up over time, making everyday maintenance quicker in the months ahead.

If your oven has a pyrolytic cleaning programme, this is the most effective and convenient way to deep-clean. Pyrolytic cleaning heats the oven to very high temperatures, reducing grease and baked-on food to a fine ash. Once the cycle has finished and the oven has cooled, simply wipe away the ash with a damp cloth — no chemicals or scrubbing required. For best results, Miele recommends running the programme regularly, depending on usage.

If your oven does not have pyrolytic cleaning, regular manual cleaning is key. Wipe up spillages once the oven has cooled, and carry out a more thorough clean weekly. Use hot water and washing-up liquid with a non-scratch sponge or cloth, and remove stubborn baked-on deposits carefully with a glass scraper. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh tools, as these can damage oven surfaces and coatings.

How to Clean Oven Racks

When preparing your oven for a deep clean in the run-up to Christmas, don’t forget the racks — they can hold grease and spills that bake on over time.

• Before a pyrolytic self-cleaning cycle, remove all racks, side runners, FlexiClips and other accessories from the oven.
• Once removed, clean the racks in your sink with hot water and mild washing-up liquid. Soak them if necessary to loosen stubborn grease, then wipe or gently scrub with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners and metal scourers, as these can damage enamel surfaces over time. Taking racks out before pyrolytic cleaning and washing them separately means they get thoroughly clean and keeps your oven accessories in great condition for years of festive cooking ahead.

How to Clean the Oven Exterior
The outside of the oven can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Simply rub the surface using small, circular movements and add a few drops of washing-up liquid to the cloth to tackle stubborn stains.

Miele’s OvenClean is also a great product to use. Its gel-like consistency cuts through grease without nasty odours and it can be used on Miele’s PerfectClean non-stick ovens, too.

How to Clean the Hob
Miele’s Ceramic and Stainless Steel Cleaner is perfect for hobs with its fine crystal formula that removes grease and baked-on residue to leave a ceramic or stainless steel hob as good as new. For stubborn spills on ceramic glass hobs, use Miele’s Scraper for Cleaning.

Give the Microwave a Clean, too
Wipe away any loose residue in the microwave with a warm, damp cloth and a spot of washing-up liquid. To tackle burnt-on residue, heat a cup of water inside the microwave for a few minutes to let the steam soften the stains then wipe clean. Adding a cup of water with lemon juice squeezed in will also help to neutralise odours.

Cleaning the Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer

Many people now use lower temperatures for washing to save energy, but this can allow dirt and grease to build up over time so it’s important to run regular maintenance programmes to keep the washing machine hygienically clean. Miele’s IntenseClean formula is perfect for giving it a deep clean. Use with a hot wash to clear away any build-up of grease and bacteria, clean the drain filters and detergent drawer according to manufacturer’s instructions and clear filters on the tumble dryer, too.

How to Clean the Fridge and Freezer

As well as giving the fridge-freezer a regular wipe with a damp cloth, before the festive hosting begins, empty both fridge and freezer and check ‘best before’ dates on food. Use ice packs or a cool box to store fresh meat and fish while cleaning then remove shelves, racks and drawers and wash in warm, soapy water.

Use a damp cloth to wipe away food residue inside the fridge and freezer then clean the drain hole at the back of the fridge interior. Wipe any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth and place everything back inside, with food that needs eating sooner placed at the front. Clean the freezer drawers in warm, soapy water then return to the freezer.

Dishwashers — Sparkling Glassware for Festive Tables

Dishwashers mostly clean themselves during normal cycles, but regular maintenance helps keep them performing at their best:

• Remove and clean the filter under a running hot tap to remove food deposits then wipe down door seals and finish with a clean, damp cloth. The spray arms can also be removed and cleaned according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check spray arms and remove any particles from the holes so water can reach all your dishes effectively.
• Wipe door seals and edges with a damp cloth to remove residues that water jets don’t reach.
• Run a hot wash with a dishwasher cleaner added. Miele has a range of easy one-dose treatments such as DishClean for light soiling and unpleasant odours and IntenseClean for tougher deposits and bacteria.
• Use dishwasher salt, rinse aid and recommended detergents to manage limescale and protect glassware.

Together, these steps help your dishwasher cope with the extra dish load over Christmas and ensure every plate and wine glass emerges gleaming.

A little care now goes a long way. Taking the time to deep-clean your appliances ahead of Christmas makes everyday maintenance simpler in the weeks to come, leaving you free to focus on cooking, hosting and enjoying the season. Put on some gentle festive music, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the calm of a kitchen that’s ready for Christmas.