What is a warming drawer? Is it a drawer in which you put your socks and underwear to keep them warm? Or is it for shoes only? Admit it, warm shoes are particularly comfortable in the morning. Is that what warming drawers are for? Close, but not quite. A warming drawer is a special drawer used to store food to keep it warm while waiting for guests to arrive. Neat and ingenious little invention, isn’t it?

A warming drawer is a lot more complicated than it looks, though; great care should be observed while cleaning it. As with cleaning other kitchen appliances, a bucket of clean water and some liquid detergent are your best friend. You can also use baking soda instead of liquid detergent, or a few drops of lemon for a sweet and fresh scent.

Take a clean cloth or sponge and dip it in the solution. Use it to wipe along the surfaces of the warming drawer. Be careful not to touch the sensitive mechanisms on the warming drawer, such as buttons or switches, if there are any. For these parts, use a dry clean cloth or linen instead.

Cleaning a warming drawer is not like wiping the kitchen counter or washing some plastic containers. You have to be careful not to damage any of the exposed mechanisms so that you don’t end up having to repair them instead. When it comes to repair, getting a broken warming drawer to work isn’t a walk in the park—it’s better to call for professional assistance. Most appliances (warming drawer included) are sold with manufacturer warranties, and we advise that you check the expiration date on these, just in case your warming drawer breaks down.