Fridge Coils: The Dusty Underworld
Behind your noble office fridge lies a dark realm of dust, debris, and possibly the remnants of a 2017 paper towel roll. The condenser coils, usually located at the back or underneath, are responsible for helping the fridge stay cold. When they’re clogged, the fridge works overtime, which increases wear and electricity bills.Once a month, unplug the unit (or assign someone who won’t walk off mid-task), and gently vacuum the coils. If your office has pets—don’t laugh, some do—you’ll want to do this more often. Think of it like brushing plaque off your teeth, only the plaque is lint and the teeth are trying to keep yogurt from going bad.
Dishwasher Filters: Not Self-Cleaning, Despite Hopes and Dreams
Office dishwashers are a battlefield of half-scraped plates, coffee mugs with concrete-strength stains, and cutlery that’s been “washed” but still smells like salmon. Beneath all this is a filter silently absorbing the sins of lunch past.Once a month, pop that filter out (usually located at the bottom, under the lower rack), give it a good rinse, and clear out any debris. Some might say “ew,” but others might say “wow, the forks no longer smell like despair.” Both are valid reactions.
Microwave Interiors: The Splatter Archive
Ah, the office microwave. Home of forgotten burritos, mystery soup explosions, and the occasional Tupperware that fuses with the turntable. While everyone’s mastered the art of ignoring splatters, the reality is that built-up gunk can cause uneven heating and actual smoke events. (Yes, it’s possible to set oatmeal on fire. We checked.)A monthly wipe-down with warm, soapy water—or vinegar steam if you’re feeling ambitious—prevents odors, improves performance, and restores dignity to what has become a sauce-splattered science exhibit.
Oven Cleanliness: The Forgotten Crusade
Office ovens don’t see soufflés, but they do see pizza. Lots of pizza. And if no one’s watching, maybe someone tries to toast a full sandwich directly on the rack and forgets about it. (They always forget about it.) Burnt cheese, crust crumbs, and unholy spills accumulate fast.Use the self-cleaning function once a month if your oven has one, and clear out any large debris beforehand unless you’re into dramatic smoke alarms. Wipe the door and knobs—yes, those get touched with pizza hands.
Dryer Lint Traps: The Office Threat You Didn’t Know Existed
Yes, some office kitchens have laundry appliances. For dish towels, aprons, or whatever internal HR story led to having a washer-dryer combo in the break room. If there’s a dryer, that lint trap is a fire hazard waiting for a Tuesday afternoon meltdown.Empty the lint trap after each use, and once a month, give it a deeper clean using a vacuum and a brush. If the dryer seems like it’s taking forever to do its job, it’s not lazy—it’s gasping for airflow.
Washing Machine Gaskets and Detergent Drawers: Mold’s Favorite Hangouts
If your office washing machine smells like the inside of a forgotten gym bag, it’s probably the gasket’s fault. The rubber ring around the door collects moisture, lint, and sometimes entire colonies of microscopic villains. Mold, mildew, and detergent scum thrive here if left unchecked.Wipe the gasket dry after every use (or appoint an office hero), and give it a good clean once a month. Pull out the detergent drawer and rinse out the gooey buildup, too. It’s not glamorous, but neither is explaining to management why the office towels smell like a damp cellar.
Power Cords and Plugs: The Quiet Fire Risks
Nobody likes to talk about power cords. They’re not fun. They’re not shiny. But they’re important. Frayed cords, cracked plugs, and overloaded outlets are not just signs of neglect—they’re literal fire risks, especially in a bustling office kitchen where every outlet is doing overtime.Once a month, do a visual check of all appliance cords. If something looks sketchy—frayed rubber, exposed wires, blackened ends—it needs replacing. No, wrapping it in electrical tape is not a permanent fix. Unless you enjoy surprise outages and dramatic evacuations.
A Shared Checklist, A Shared Responsibility
You might be thinking, “Why should I do this? I just wanted a bagel.” Fair. But monthly maintenance doesn’t have to fall on one martyr. A rotating schedule or digital checklist can turn appliance care into a shared, painless ritual—something just slightly more dignified than playing Jenga with crusty Tupperware in the fridge.Here’s a simple monthly checklist that covers the essentials:
- Vacuum fridge coils
- Clean dishwasher filter
- Wipe down microwave interior
- Run oven self-clean or manual wipe
- Empty and deep clean dryer lint trap
- Clean washer gasket and drawer
- Inspect cords and plugs
Appliance-ocalypse Averted
Office kitchens aren’t glamorous, but they are relied on. They’re where lunches are resurrected, mugs are reborn, and leftover lasagna finds its third wind. Giving appliances a bit of routine care keeps them working longer, breaking less, and not bursting into flames.With a few minutes of effort each month—and a basic understanding that microwaves don’t clean themselves—you avoid the horror of explaining to thirty employees why they can’t heat their soup. That’s not just maintenance. That’s morale.
Article kindly provided by easyfixcalgary.ca