The holidays can be very hard on your kitchen, and your appliances may be feeling a bit "hungover."

So January is a great time to "detox" your kitchen, and here is a handy checklist that you can use to get your kitchen appliances back in shape.

KITCHEN APPLIANCE ROUTINE CARE CHECKLIST

(click on the blue headings below for additional how-to information)

REFRIGERATOR >

• Vacuum condenser coils
• Clean drain hole and drip pan
• Clean and check door gasket
• Clean/defrost inside of refrigerator
• De-frost/clean freezer and ice-maker
• Check inside temperature
• Change water filter (if applicable)
• Adjust front support feet

(helpful accessory: refrigerator coil brush; water filter refrigerator)

STOVE >

• Clean range hood, filter, and fan
• Clean reflector bowls
• Clean control knobs
• Clean burners (gas models)
• Clean gas grates (gas models)

(helpful accessory: cooktop cleaner)

MICROWAVE OVEN >

• Clean inside cavity with mild detergent and water
• Clean around the door and door seal, and make sure door closes tightly.
• If your unit has a turntable, then be sure to clean underneath it.
• To remove odors, boil a solution of a cup of water and several tablespoons of lemon juice in the microwave for 5-7 minutes.
• Clean grease and dust from around the air vents.
• Check inside light bulb, clean or replace as necessary (helpful accessory: microwave oven light bulb).

DISHWASHER >

• Treat your dishwasher for scale build-up
• Clean filter and trap
• Clear spray arm holes
• Clear the "air trap"
• Check and tighten any loose water hose clamps.
• Check the door seal gasket for any cracks or leaks.
• Check the pre-heating mechanism

(helpful accessory: dishwasher cleaner)

OVEN >

Oven cleaning procedures and maintenance vary significantly by the type of oven (e.g. "self-cleaning, "continuous cleaning", and "conventional") and you should consult your manufacturer's recommendations for the specific procedures for your particular model.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL >

• Clean your disposal by grinding up ice cubes
• Check under sink for any signs of leaking

FREEZER >

• Defrost the freezer
• Vacuum dust off the condenser coils
• Ensure that the magnetic door seal on the unit closes tightly

TRASH COMPACTOR >

• Clean inside the compactor bin
• Check for signs of corrosion