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When you're looking for what to clean in your home, it's hard to ignore the big stuff. Toys all over your living room floor, popcorn on the counter, or dirty dishes in the sink are a dead giveaway for what to target when you're sprucing up the place. But when you can't put your finger on the problem, you don't know how to fix it. Sometimes the little things can change the appearance of your entire home, and the things you might be missing are the appliances.

Appliances are the little machines with the big problem; they see so much use and so little TLC that your house can look unkempt even when all the main areas are clean. We here at Golden Shine have a list of quick and easy tips for putting that shine back into your small appliances throughout your home.

Stainless steel: The name makes it sound squeaky clean, but stainless steel appliances like toasters and dish racks can collect grime fast. Luckily, cleaning them is a breeze. Just wipe down with the grain with a nonabrasive cloth and warm water, and dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. For stubborn stains, baking soda and dish soap are the answer, and glass cleaner will remove fingerprints fast. Of course, always unplug your electric appliances before cleaning them.

Electronics: Letting your DVD player, game console or television go without a good clean can impair their performance. Regular dusting is a must for electronic devices. For delicate devices like Plasma screen TVs, check the product's manual for specific instructions. A few good rules of thumb are wipe gently from side to side (not up and down), and use a soft, lint-free cloth with as little moisture as possible. Be sure to unplug the device and check to see that it is cool to the touch.

Ceramics: Your average ceramic piece--such as an oft-used vase, butter mold, or salt shaker collection--will clean like a dream. Just wipe down or wash like any ordinary dish. Lime and calcium deposits can be dispersed with a pure white vinegar soak. For antique or heirloom pieces, hairline cracks or other micro-damage will require more care. Wipe gently with minimum moisture and use a hairdryer for efficient hands-free dusting on your more delicate ceramics.

Other tricks: You can run your blender with dish detergent and warm water to give it a thorough deep clean. Remove sink spots with a baking soda paste, or give your microwave a lemon-steam bath by heating lemon juice and water in a glass bowl.

Happy cleaning!