DIY Life

It's shocking these days what maintaining your life actually entails. I clean daily, but behind every shiny surface lies a secret or two. Just take a look at my toaster. This is one of those small appliances that you get away with cleaning on the surface for a few months -- then one day you realize you better tackle it before something starts growing in there. Yes, you can clean the inside too.

Here's how:
First, make sure the unit is unplugged and completely cool. To get rid of those annoying crumbs stuck in the bottom of the toaster, slide the tray out (or pull it down) and wipe it thoroughly -- you may need to wash the tray if it's been longer than a few months -- then blast the interior with a hair dryer (or computer-keyboard cleaner). Do this over a trash bag or even bring the toaster outside.

Close the tray and hold it upside down to make sure you got everything. Don't forget to wipe down the exterior with a soft cloth that has been dampened a bit with water & dish-washing soap. The chrome surfaces can be wiped down with a little all-purpose cleaner sprayed on a cloth. Don't spray into the unit, just spray the cloth as you want to control where your cleaning solution goes.