Four Steps to Storing Kitchen Appliances

It’s time to move or put items into self storage. Do you know what to do with all of the kitchen appliances taking up space on your counter? From your toaster to your blender—and everything in between—these items contain a dizzying array of parts that make moving and storing them frustrating. They can also be heavy (i.e. that clunky microwave you’ve had since college) and expensive (that fancy blender).

Here’s some good news: Storing kitchen appliances is actually really easy. All you need are the following four steps:

1. Toaster

First, tackle your toaster. Unplug it and give it a good shake over a trash can to get rid of crumbs. Next, use a toothbrush to gently clean the inside. Remove the crumb tray and wash it with a sponge. Wash the outside of the toaster with white vinegar and water and let everything dry. Now put the toaster back together, wrap it in packing paper or bubble wrap and put it in a large box. Leave this box open; you’re going to put other items in it.

2. Blender

Next it’s time for your blender. Fill the blender with warm (but not hot!) water and a drop of dish soap. Seriously, don’t overdo it on the dish soap! You’ll be surprised how little you need. Run it on low for about 60 seconds, empty those suds, rinse it out and refill it with warm water. Blend it again and rinse it until there is no more debris or soap. Wipe down the outside of the blender with a sponge and let it dry.

Wrap the blender in packing paper or bubble wrap and put it in the same box as the toaster, adding cushion between the two. Fill the remainder of the box with even more cushion, and close it up. Don’t forget to label it!

3. Coffee Maker

If you’ve gotta have your java, then you’ve gotta take care when storing your coffee maker. Take it apart and hand wash each piece. Next, fill the reservoir with water and a half cup of white vinegar. Put a coffee filter in and run the coffee maker as if you were brewing a pot. Rinse everything and wait for it to dry. Wrapped each part of the coffee maker separately in packing paper or bubble wrap and then pack them in a box, using packing paper to separate each piece.

4. Microwave

Even the most fastidious households can have grimy microwaves. Whether yours is spotless or filled with crusted leftovers, the cleaning process is the same. Soak a paper towel in water and lemon juice. Place it inside and microwave it for a minute (add an extra minute if your microwave is especially gross). When that’s done, wipe the debris off of the inside of the microwave. If your appliance has a revolving glass plate or removable shelf, remove it and wash it by hand. Once everything is dry, wrap the plate or tray in packing paper and place it back inside. Tape it to prevent shifting. Now, pack the microwave in a box that allows space for the appliance itself plus a light amount of cushioning from packing paper. Store it as you would in your home (i.e. upright as opposed to upside down or on its side).

That’s it. These four steps allow you to clean, pack and store your toaster, blender, microwave and coffee maker in under an hour.