New year, fresh start… and yes, that includes your kitchen appliances. After Christmas cooking marathons, your oven, hob and hood have definitely “seen things”. The good news? Cleaning them doesn’t have to be hard, aggressive or scratchy. Let’s make it simple, safe and even a bit satisfying.
First rule of appliance cleaning: be kind
Before we start, one golden rule: never use abrasive sponges, metal scourers or harsh powders on enamel, glass or stainless steel surfaces. Scratches don’t just look bad: they make dirt stick more easily in the future. Soft cloths, microfibre and non-abrasive sponges are your best friends. And remember: Clean little and often, instead of waiting for big messes.
When surfaces are smooth and not damaged, dirt does not stick so easily, and cleaning stays easy. Brands are developing easy cleaning appliances to help you go through this process, but still, little habits like the ones before will help you to keep your kitchen clean with just a few, anxiety-free steps.
How to clean your oven (without drama)
Oven cleaning has a bad reputation, but modern technology makes it much easier. Easy everyday cleaning includes:
- Wipe spills as soon as the oven cools down.
- Use a mild degreaser or warm soapy water.
- Pay attention to the door glass; grease loves to hide there.
Cleaning built into the design
If your oven still feels like a nightmare to clean, it’s not you; it might be that you have an old oven. Why modern ovens are easier to live with:
- Easy-clean enamel stops grease from sticking in the first place.
- Pyrolytic cleaning turns food residue into ash. You wipe, you’re done.
- Steam cleaning, like Hydroclean by Teka, loosens dirt using water and heat, making it ideal for regular maintenance.
Pyrolysis and steam cleaning have become the most clear example of easy cleaning appliances, so don’t be afraid to use them as part of your cleaning routines.
Instead of scrubbing for hours, January is a good moment to reset your habits: use these functions regularly, and cleaning becomes… surprisingly boring. In a good way.
How to clean a hob (induction, ceramic and gas)
Induction and vitroceramic hobs are the daily little helpers in the kitchen and the most common choice. In 2020, 66 % of the hobs installed in homes across the European Union were electric. So it is worth paying attention to how to clean efficiently to keep them with us as long as possible:
- Clean when the surface is cool.
- Use a soft cloth and a dedicated glass cleaner for your hob.
- For stubborn marks, a hob scraper (used gently and flat) is safe.
Gas hobs
- Remove burners and pan supports.
- Soak them in warm water with mild detergent.
- Dry thoroughly before putting everything back.
Many modern gas hobs come with removable parts that are dishwasher safe, which is basically a small gift from the appliance gods.
How to clean your cooker hood, the invisible hero of a clean kitchen
Your hood works hard, especially in winter. Cleaning it improves performance and keeps smells under control. But it also refreshes the air of the whole room.
What to clean
-Filters: Metal filters should be cleaned every 1–2 months.
-Exterior surfaces: Especially if you cook a lot.
How to do it:
- Remove filters and wash them by hand or in the dishwasher (check the manual).
- Wipe the hood with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.
- Appliances with anti-fingerprint technology are a lifesaver here: fewer marks, less wiping, better mood.
The real New Year’s resolution: choose easy living
January isn’t the time for extra work: it’s the time for better solutions. If you can, choose easy cleaning appliances designed with:
- Anti-fingerprint technology.
- Easy-clean enamel.
- Removable, dishwasher-safe accessories.
- Pyrolysis and steam cleaning.
Don’t just clean better — they let you forget about doing it more often. And honestly, that might be the best fresh start of all.