One of the best things about Branch Basics is that it can be used to clean just about anything, including appliances.

From fridges and dishwashers to coffee pots and air fryers, this article shares exactly how to use Branch Basics to clean 15 types of appliances safely and quickly.

Key Takeaways 

• Branch Basics is safe to use on just about any type of appliance. 
  
• Most appliances benefit most from Streak-Free or All-Purpose dilution.
  
• Regular cleaning helps keep appliances running efficiently and extends their lifespan.
  

The Best Branch Basics Products For Appliances

Generally, Branch Basics Streak-Free and All-Purpose are the best dilutions to use on appliances.

If you’re new to Branch Basics, our all-in-one cleaning system utilizes one human-safe, plant- and mineral-based, biodegradable Concentrate plus water to create All-Purpose, Streak-Free, Bathroom, Foaming Wash, and Laundry.

These dilutions provide everything you need to clean your entire home and wash your clothes.

There are some exceptions, so let’s get into specifics.

How To Use Branch Basics On Appliances: 15 Ways

Branch Basics can be used on all types of appliances with very few exceptions.

Here’s a breakdown of how to use Branch Basics on common household appliances.

1. Refrigerators

Branch Basics works great for everyday and deep refrigerator cleaning.

For quick exterior cleaning, such as handles and doors, we recommend Streak-Free. 

For spills and deeper cleaning of the interior or exterior, All-Purpose, or sometimes Bathroom, does the trick. 

Here’s a quick reference:

• All-Purpose: Use to clean fridge interior and/or to wash drawers and shelving in the sink.
  
• Bathroom: Use when a more concentrated cleaning power is needed in the sink, or for deep cleaning drawers or shelves.
  
• Streak-Free: Use to clean the exterior, including stainless steel appliances.
  
• Oxygen Boost: Use for really stubborn, stuck-on interior spills. Either dissolve in the sink with All-purpose or Bathroom, or sprinkle directly onto interior surfaces to use as a gentle scouring agent. 
  

Get the full tutorial in: How To Clean A Fridge Naturally 

2. Ovens

Yes, yes, yes! You CAN clean your oven naturally without caustic chemicals using Branch Basics All-Purpose, a scrub brush, and a rag.

It’s completely possible, and so much healthier and safer for you, your family, and your food.

Here’s the quick tutorial:

Step 1. Preheat the oven and remove racks

• Remove the oven racks and set aside.
  
• Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature (no higher than 100 degrees) for a few minutes, then turn it off. This loosens up baked-on grease and grime for easier removal.
  

Step 2. Spray oven walls with All-Purpose

• Spray oven walls and inside of the door generously with Branch Basics All-Purpose.
  

3. Let All-Purpose dwell

• Dwell times vary based on the scope of cleaning required. If your oven is relatively clean, 15 minutes is usually enough; if it’s really dirty, consider leaving it on for 30-60 minutes, spraying again halfway through to keep wet.
  The longer it dwells, the less scrubbing required.
  

4. Scrub & dry

• Start by using a paper towel or rag to wipe down and dry the walls and door.
  If needed, apply more All-Purpose and scrub it off using a non-scratch sponge or brush.
  
• For really baked-on messes, a razor blade can be useful; just take care not to scratch the surface.
  
• Dry with a paper towel or rag.
  

5. Clean the racks 

• Spray racks with Branch Basics All-Purpose.
  
• Let dwell for a few minutes, then scrub clean with a brush, or soak in warm, soapy water with a few squirts of All-Purpose Spray or Bathroom, and scrub clean.
  
  • Racks too big for the sink? Put them in a clean tub! You’ll have plenty of room, then clean the tub with Branch Basics Bathroom + Oxygen Boost.
    
• Really dirty racks will need to be sprayed down and left to dwell for a few hours (overnight is fine). Alternatively, soak in hot water with All-Purpose or Bathroom, then scrub the following day.
  

6. Repeat if Necessary 

If your oven hasn’t been cleaned for several months, it may require more than one pass. A bit of baking soda mixed with water can also help loosen baked-on messes.

Learn more in: Safe Oven Cleaning: How to Clean Ovens & Stove Tops Naturally 

3. Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens can be cleaned just like regular ovens, using Branch Basics All-Purpose or Bathroom for the rack.

Streak-free works great for the exterior and oven window.

Full tutorial available in: How to Clean A Toaster Oven With Branch Basics 

4. Air Fryers

Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, and can all be cleaned using Branch Basics and other natural cleaners, like baking soda.

Removable interior parts clean up quickly with All-Purpose or Concentrate diluted in a sink or basin, and exteriors can be wiped down using Streak-Free.

Get more natural air fryer cleaning tips in: How to Clean an Air Fryer with Baking Soda & Natural Cleaners 

5. Blenders

Some of our most popular social posts share how to use Branch Basics Oxygen Boost to erase tough blender stains, including turmeric!

All-Purpose and Bathroom work great for everyday cleaning.

Here’s the Oxygen Boost secret for deep cleaning:

1. Add half a scoop of Oxygen Boost inside the blender.
   
2. Spray interior with All-Purpose.
   
3. Fill with warm water and soak overnight.
   
4. Scrub clean, rinse, and dry.
   

We share more natural and low-tox blender cleaning tips in: How to Clean a Blender: 3 Methods 

6. Coffee Makers

Branch Basics All-Purpose can be used for everyday cleaning of coffee pots and removable interior parts (be sure to rinse clean).

Stainless steel coffee maker exteriors are best cleaned with Streak-Free, but plastic versions can be cleaned with All-Purpose.

Here’s how to clean your whole coffee maker using Branch Basics + Vinegar:

1. Add 2 oz.(1/4 cup) of All-Purpose or 1 teaspoon of Concentrate to an empty coffee pot, and fill the remainder with water.
   
2. Pour the mixture into the coffee machine and let it brew to clean the interior thoroughly. 
   
3. When complete, run a pot of plain fresh water or fresh water with vinegar (extra descaling) through the machine.

For stained coffee pots or pour-overs, soak overnight in Oxygen Boost.

7. Washing Machines

Washing machines require regular cleaning to remove detergent build-up and keep them running optimally. Some washing machines have a self-cleaning cycle designed to remove detergent residues, mold, or odors (fragrances) from the internal components of the washing machine. 

Plain distilled white vinegar is an amazing tool for this and can be used as an alternative to bleach. Just add to the bleach cup with the self-clean cycle.

If your machine does not have a self-cleaning feature, or you want to deep clean and detoxify your washing machine, follow the instructions below.

For deep cleaning and detoxifying, recommended for washers that haven’t been cleaned in a while or those used with fragranced detergents:

For top-loading machines 

Step 1: Fill washing tub with hot water, 2-4 cups of 3% hydrogen OR baking soda, and 1/4 cup of  Branch Basics Laundry Solution made with water and Branch Basics Concentrate  (Note: this is not referring to using 1/4 cup Concentrate, as this could create excessive sudsing.. , Run a long hot water cycle orlet it sit overnight, and run thecycle the next day. 

Step 2: Run a hot water cycle with 2-4 cups white vinegar only to further deodorize and clean the machine. Repeat the process, if needed,. 

Note:  The reason we don’t combine vinegar in the same load with our Concentrate is because the acidity of vinegar cancels the efficacy of the Concentrate which has an alkaline pH.

For front-loading machines

Step 1: Run a long hot cycle with 2-4 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide OR baking soda, and 1/4 cup Branch Basics Laundry Solution (made with water and Branch Basics Concentrate (Note: this is not referring to using 1/4 cup Concentrate, as this will create excessive sudsing, particularly in high-efficiency (HE) machines) 

Step 2: Run a second hot water cycle with 2-4 cups white vinegar to further deodorize and clean the machine. Repeat the process, if needed.

Washing Machine Exterior

For stainless steel washing machines we recommend Branch Basics Streak Free. 

Branch Basics All-Purpose can be used on non stainless steel washer exteriors and also to clean knobs, the door, the detergent drawer, etc.

For detailed instructions, including how to clean mold from a front loader gasket, see: How To Naturally Clean And Detoxify Your Washer And Dryer 

8. Dryers

When dryers get dusty, reach for Branch Basics All-Purpose or Streak-Free to clean the interiors and exteriors.

For dryer deep cleaning and detoxing (recommended to remove fragrance, fabric softener buildup, and other chemicals), use Branch Basics All-Purpose and Bathroom. 

See How To Naturally Clean And Detoxify Your Washer And Dryer for more details.

9. Vacuum Cleaners

Use Branch Basics All-Purpose to clean the exterior of your vacuum, brush heads, beater bars, and attachments.

A warm, soapy water solution of Branch Basics All-Purpose or Bathroom can also be used to clean most vacuum filters, but check the manufacturer’s instructions first, as not all filters can/should be cleaned.

10. Cook Tops & Stoves

Forget those toxic specialty cook top cleaners and reach for Branch Basics All-Purpose and Streak-Free for human-safe, scratch-free stove top cleaning!

These work on glass, gas, or coil cook tops to dissolve stuck-on food, grease, and other messes.

Always make sure your stove top is cool, allow dwell time for touch stains, and wipe gently with a microfiber cloth or a scratch-free pad.

See the following for cook top-specific instructions:

• How to Clean A Glass Stove Top Naturally 
  
• How To Clean Stove Top Grates Naturally: 5+ Tips
  

11. Microwaves

We’re not big fans of microwaves for cooking, but if you’re going to use one, it’s best to use natural cleaners around food.

Simple natural products, like lemon juice, work great for the interior. You can also use Branch Basics All-Purpose for interior and exterior cleaning, and Branch Basics Bathroom for a more concentrated cleaner.

12. Waffle Iron

We love a cast-iron waffle iron to avoid harmful forever chemicals, like Teflon and its cousins.

For those, we only recommend using water and a stiff-bristle brush, or coarse salt for extra scouring power when needed.

For other waffle irons, let cool, then spray with Branch Basics All-Purpose and scrub between those nooks and crannies.

If you have a waffle iron that doesn’t come apart, like some ceramic brands, you can still use All-Purpose on the cooled surface, then scrub with a clean toothbrush or straw brush.

13. Humidifier

Vinegar works best for cleaning humidifier bases, but Branch Basics All-Purpose or Bathroom, sprayed in hot water, is great for cleaning the receptacles and other removable parts.

For disinfecting, we like using 3% hydrogen peroxide on the knobs and exterior, especially if someone’s been sick.

14. Air Purifier

We love our air purifiers around here for creating a healthy home! 

First, HEPA vacuum the exterior of the air purifier.

Next, use Branch Basics All-Purpose sprayed on a microfiber cloth, to clean the exterior. If you open up the air filter to change the filters, wipe the components with Streak-Free, sprayed onto a microfiber cloth, to clean the interior.  Do not directly spray the interior with Branch Basics.

If your filters can be washed, All-Purpose sprayed in a large tub of water is a wonderful natural cleaner.

See: How to Choose an Air Purifier For Your Home for the details on our favorite air purifiers.

15. Fans

Branch Basics Streak-Free is wonderful for removing dust from ceiling fans, box fans, and other types of fans.

Always unplug the fan before cleaning and always spray the microfiber cloth with Branch Basics, not the fan, to avoid the possibility of getting the motor wet...

For a deeper clean, use All-Purpose sprayed on a cloth.

How To Get Started With Branch Basics

If you’re new to Branch Basics, we recommend starting with the Premium Starter Kit 
(plastic or glass) or Ultimate Starter Kit (plastic or glass).

Both utilize our refillable model and contain everything you need to make enough cleaners to replace every harmful chemical cleaner in your home.

Here’s how our all-in-one system works:

1. Fill With Water: Choose a refillable bottle and fill to the “water” line on the label.
   
2. Add Branch Basics Concentrate: Fill with Concentrate to the “soap” line on the label.
   
3. Start Cleaning: Top off with water, and you’re ready to clean your entire home.

Branch Basics products are made with only plant- and mineral-based ingredients that meet our strict human-safe standards. 

This means they’re safe for even the most sensitive individuals, including babies, children, people with chemical sensitivities, older people, and those with chronic conditions.

To prove it, we’ve made sure they’re all EWG-verified, MADE SAFE certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and our Concentrate is third-party tested as non-skin, eye, and lung irritant.

Shop Branch Basics Starter Kits and start creating a cleaner, healthier home and appliances today.