Whirlpool Corporation Launches Institute of Kitchen Science; Declares April 'Kitchen Clean Up Month'

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that cleaning major appliances isn't at the top of many consumers' to-do lists, especially if the kitchen appears clean after a quick onceover. The truth is, appearances can be deceiving and just because the outside of a refrigerator may sparkle, that doesn't mean the interior couldn't use a good cleaning.  To help consumers conquer the kitchen, Whirlpool Corporation will launch the Institute of Kitchen Science (http://www.instituteofkitchenscience.com) – an online hub for everything from cooking and cleaning to food preservation and kitchen chemistry. To mark the launch of its new online resource, the company has declared April "Kitchen Clean Up Month."

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According to Whirlpool Corporation research, 75 percent of consumers believe that "cleaning the refrigerator" simply means throwing things out.* A Whirlpool Corporation survey conducted online in November by Harris Interactive® also revealed that the majority of adults (70 percent) also said they give their major appliances a good cleaning more than once a year. Having introduced many of our nation's kitchen "firsts" — including the first microwave and side-by-side refrigerator — Whirlpool Corporation has been in your kitchen storing, prepping and cooking and cleaning for nearly a century. With this intrinsic knowledge, experts from the Institute of Kitchen Science have identified tips and tricks that can help cut down the mess and time spent in the kitchen, making kitchen cleaning a snap.

Throughout the month of April, these experts will help consumers transform their kitchens from spot clean to spotless by tackling one major appliance each week. The following tips offer a sneak-peak at what's to come.

• April 7: Clean Your Refrigerator Week

Remove any drawers or bins and wash them in the kitchen sink with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Wash the inside of the refrigerator with a clean sponge or dishcloth – don't forget to wash the compartments on the door.

• April 12: Clean Your Range Week

When using the self-cleaning cycle, remove your oven racks as they can discolor or become harder to slide. If this happens, place a light coating of vegetable oil on the rack guides to help them slide in. Also, be sure to remove the broiler pan and any other utensils inside the oven prior to starting the self-cleaning cycle.

• April 19: Clean Your Microwave Week

Grease filters can be removed for easy cleaning. Dishwasher-safe filters are also available on some models to make daily maintenance easier. They also help keep your kitchen clean from grease and odors, and smelling fresher.

• April 26: Clean Your Dishwasher Week

Don't forget to clean your dishwasher and disposal. Affresh™ dishwasher and disposal cleaner is the only national two-in-one product on the market that removes odor from these kitchen appliances. Whirlpool Corporation recommends cleaning your dishwasher and disposal monthly or as needed for cleaner, fresher appliances.

Please visit (http://www.instituteofkitchenscience.com) for more information.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation from November 20-24, 2009 among 2,089 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

*Proprietary Whirlpool Refrigerator Habits, Practices and Needs Study (2005)

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation