How to Clean Everything

courtesy of Oberlin Student Cooperative Association

Blender
(After every use)

Disassemble; wash removable parts in pot sink (dishwashing soap, rinse, sanitize in 1:10 bleach solution). Wipe outside of motor base and cord with dishwashing soap solution (don't get motor wet), rinse with damp rag, and dry with clean cloth.

Can Opener -- Bench type
(Every dish crew and late night clean-up)

Remove opener by lifting shank out of base. Scrub as with pots: dishwashing soap solution, clean water rinse, then sanitize, but use strong bleach solution (1:10) and then RINSE AGAIN. Scrub tooth and can-holding part well with old toothbrush or other stiff brush. (This is a very good place for bacteria to gather and spread!). Scrub base with sanitizing solution, too. Then lubricate turning mechanism with a little vegetable oil and replace. Alternative method: Wash with pots, then put through Hobart. Don't forget to lubricate afterward.

Chairs -- Vinyl
(At least once a quarter)

Wipe all over with cloth and 1:10 bleach solution, scrubbing with metal or green scrubby at any sticky spots.

Chairs -- Wooden
(At least once a quarter)

Wash with cloth and solution of Murphy's Oil Soap.

Coffee Maker
(Once a week)

Flush several pots full of clean water through and let drain out. Wash glass units in pot sinks (dishwashing soap solution), then in a mild solution of delimer (follow instructions on bottle for making mild solution). RINSE THOROUGHLY and let air dry upside-down before replacing. Disconnect electricity and wash metal parts of stand with same delimer solution and a clean cloth.

Containers -- Plastic
(After every use)

All sturdy plastic containers can go through the Hobart. Don't use steel scrubbies and be sure to get into nooks and crannies of lids.

Countertops -- Stainless Steel
(Every dish crew and whenever used)

Wash with mild dishwashing soap solution and sponge or cloth (if anything is stuck to it, scrub with green scrubby; metal or Comet will scratch surface). SANITIZE WITH BLEACH (1:10 solution).

Countertops -- Wooden
(Every dish crew and whenever used)

Scrape off any stuck pieces of food with knife or metal scrubby. Wash with mild dishwashing soap solution, then SANITIZE WITH BLEACH (1:10 solution).

Cutting Boards -- Wooden
(After every use)

DO NOT put through Hobart or immerse in pot sinks. Scrub WELL with dishwashing soap solution and scrubbing brush or metal scrubby -- be sure to remove ALL food particles, but don't get it any wetter than necessary. Wipe clean, then sanitize it with 1:10 bleach solution; be sure to scrub it into every inch of surface.

Dishes
(After every use)

Anything made of plastic, metal, or tough dishware can go in the Hobart after being cleaned. Delicate china or wood should NOT be put through but washed by hand as for pots, then left to air dry (china) or dried off (wood).

Food Carts
(Every once a week at least)

Wash well with dishwashing soap solution and sponge, being sure to get into corners and seams. Rinse and sanitize with 1:10 bleach solution.

Garbage Cans
(Once a week)

Take out bags and put in dumpster. Fill garbage can 1/4 of the way with warm water and strong detergent solution, and scrub all over inside with green scrubby (you will want to wear rubber gloves). Pour out water in mop sink, rinse well with hose, and fill 1/4 of the way with 1:10 bleach solution and slosh around -- or else wipe all over inside with 1:2 bleach solution (use rubber gloves!) and clean cloth. Leave to air dry upside-down before replacing bag.

Grill
(After each use and once a week)

Start by wiping up excess grease and scraping off any loose bits of stuff. Then, preferably while still warm, spray or pour on full-strength vinegar (or other degreaser). Allow to penetrate for a few minutes. Then you have two choices for scrubbing: 1) scrub with a black "grill stone" (also called a griddle brick, this is a block of sulphurous material that smells awful but scrapes and cleans well); or else 2) scrub with the flat, handled apparatus (like a little rectangular iron) provided for the purpose and a griddle screen that fits underneath it.
After scrubbing and rinsing the grill, dry it right away by turning on heat for a few minutes. Wipe lightly with vegetable oil to keep from rusting. (Some self-ops and co-ops prefer to cover it with oily cloths, which is fine).

Hobart Dishwasher and/or Sanitizer

Wash inside and outside of machine with sponge and 1:10 bleach solution. Any maintenance or repair which needs to be done should be done through Row Facilities.

Hobart mixer: Bowls and attachments
(After every use)

Remove and wash in triple sinks following instructions for pots.

Hobart mixer: Machine
(Once a week)

Wash saddle, shaft, beater shaft, shell, base, and switches of unit with solution of dishwashing soap or other mild detergent and a green or metal scrubby. Rinse with water. Sanitize by washing all parts with 1:10 bleach solution.

Hood: Surface
(At least once a quarter)

Remove filters and clean as below. Mix up a degreaser solution in a spray bottle (half vinegar or degreaser, half water) and spray on all surfaces, inside and out. Scrub at nasty areas with a green or metal scrubby. Rinse with water. Allow inside to air dry, and wipe outside dry. Replace filters.

Hood filters
(Once a week)

This job, like many, is not tough if done regularly. Remove filters and put through Hobart dishwasher, one at a time, each lying flat in a flat rack. Check each one -- if it is not clean, put it through again. Let filters dry, then replace. If filters will not fit in Hobart or you do not have a Hobart dishwasher, you must do them by hand in pot sinks -- leave them soak in HOT water and degreaser for 10 minutes, then rinse -- scrub if necessary, but NOT WITH METAL. Air dry and replace.

Moldings and Ledges
(Once a quarter)

Wipe with soft sponge and dishwashing soap solution, then rinse with warm water.

Ovens
(At least every other week)

Spray heavy-duty oven cleaner all over inside of ovens according to instructions on label. USE RUBBER GLOVES! Close oven doors, wait ten minutes or longer, then wipe clean. Avoid breathing fumes as much as possible. Spilled oven cleaner (on the floor or on you) can be neutralized with vinegar.

Ranges
(Once a week)

Remove burners and drip or reflector pans from range and scrub with metal scrubby in the pot sinks in a strong solution of degreaser. This will be easier if you let them soak a half hour first. Take apart the top of the range and scrape off old food particles. Wash this area with the degreaser solution. Rinse and dry everything and put back together, then test to be sure all pilots are still on and relight if necessary.

Refrigerators
(Once a week)

Remove all food and throw out all leftovers. Remove shelves and wash like pots: dishwashing soap, rinse water, and bleach. Wash interior sides, bottom, doors, corners, hinges and latches with warm dishwashing soap solution, then with 1:10 bleach solution. Scrub at food spills as necessary Allow to air dry if possible. If food is sitting out (especially milk), dry well with cloths right away, return shelves and food, and shut door. Place open box of baking soda in corner to reduce odors.

Shelves and Cupboards
(At least once a quarter)

Remove everything from shelves. Brush off loose dirt, then wash with sponge and dishwashing soap solution, scrubbing at spots as necessary. Rinse with 1:10 bleach solution, and either dry with cloth or (better) allow to air dry before replacing items.
Dishes and food should never sit on plain wooden shelves -- they don't get clean enough. All such shelves should be covered with shelf paper that gets changed frequently, or else with contact paper which has a vinyl surface and can be cleaned easily.

Sinks-Metal
(After every dish crew)

Scrub with powder cleanser and sponge. Don't forget soap and backsplash areas, knobs and faucet. Sanitize knobs with bleach solution.

Sinks-Porcelain
(After every dish crew)

Don't use powder cleanser -- it damages surface (porcelain is basically glass). Use dishwashing soap or a LYSOL product to clean, then sanitize with 1:10 bleach solution.

Slicer
(After each use)

ONLY specially trained person should operate or clean the slicer! Disconnect electric cord. Set blade control to "0" to prevent accidental cuts. Leave knife guard in place until ready to clean knife. Replace guard as soon as knife, blade, and guard are cleaned. Clean shafts and all other parts under frame with dishwashing soap solution and a green scrubby. Dismantle all removable parts and wash in pot sinks with hot degreaser solution (or just plain vinegar), then sanitize with pot strength warm bleach solution(1/4 cup to 5 gallons, or a cup to a full sink). Air dry and reassemble.

Toaster
(Once a week)

Unplug and be careful not to get electric parts or plug wet while cleaning or person who replugs toaster could get a shock. Gently shake toaster to shake crumbs into crumb tray. Remove tray (it should slide out) and wipe degreaser solution (or vinegar). DO NOT TRY TO CLEAN HEATING ELEMENTS. Move toaster and wipe exterior with degreaser solution (don't get any inside). Replace crumb tray and put back toaster AFTER you have cleaned counter underneath.

Walls
(At least once a quarter)

Dust walls and ceilings lightly with dry string mop to knock off cobwebs and loose dirt. Fill one bucket with a solution of MURPHY'S OIL SOAP and another with warm, clean water. Using big, non-abrasive sponges, wash an area about 4 to 6 feet wide with long, sideways sweeps, from the bottom working up. Rinse the washed portion immediately and wipe any spilled or dripping water with a clean cloth. Continue, trying to do whole wall in one go to avoid color contrasts.
For spots, scrub gently with powder cleanser but watch for harming paint. For removing graffiti, try a mild solution of LYSOL (wear rubber gloves) or Windex, and a lot of elbow grease.
Don't forget to do moldings and ledges while at it.

Windows
(At least once a quarter)

Windows can be washed with a vinegar solution (half a cup in a quart of water) or a commercial cleaner such as Glass Plus Streaking can best be avoided by using a three step process of wash, rinse, and dry, each one done a whole pane at a time as quickly after the last as possible. A chamois cloth, rubber squeegee, or newspaper for drying are all recommended since these are all lint-free (unlike paper towels or ordinary cloths).