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Start with the material and the permitted tool
Set aside the permitted soft cleaning tool before washing. If a mark survives the approved method, stop before substituting metal, a hard brush or a scraper to investigate it. A cleaning tool should be chosen for the actual component, not the apparent strength of a stain. Identify the basket, insert, glass or housing surface in the matching care instructions. Read its restrictions before using a scrubber, brush or scraper. A product advertised as non-scratch for one household surface is not automatically approved for the appliance's coating. Keep the tool permission tied to the part rather than relying on its packaging alone.
Philips' coating support advises avoiding harsh cleaning tools and inserting the basket gently. That connects washing and ordinary handling as separate ways to protect its documented surfaces. It does not determine the condition of a different manufacturer's damaged coating. For your appliance, follow the exact tool guidance and ask support when you cannot distinguish residue from a changed surface after a permitted cleaning attempt.
Make a tool set that is hard to confuse
Keep the tools used for appliance care identifiable. In a busy sink, the brush meant for a heavily soiled steel pan can easily become the next tool someone grabs for the air-fryer insert. A simple storage separation or label can prevent that uncertainty. The goal is not buying a large kit; it is knowing that the tool in your hand fits the approved procedure and has not become an improvised substitute.
Imagine two people share washing up and one has never read the appliance manual. A short note naming the permitted sponge or brush is more useful than a warning to be careful. Show where that tool lives and which components it is for. This example makes the manufacturer's restriction operational in the household without inventing claims that a particular brand of tool will preserve every coating indefinitely.
Control pressure and the washing arrangement
Clear a stable area for the component instead of wedging it between heavy cookware. Read the supported cleaning method and let it do its intended work before increasing pressure. If the part rocks or its handle carries the load, reposition it within the permitted handling guidance. A more comfortable setup can help you follow the method without resorting to a harder tool or an uncertain chemical.
Set a limit for an unsuccessful attempt. If residue remains after the approved procedure, document the location and ask the manufacturer. Do not scratch at it to prove whether it is dirt. A mark that becomes larger under repeated rubbing now has a changed history that support must untangle. Keep the original observation visible, and separate the desire for a spotless appearance from the need for a serviceable food-contact surface.
Include reassembly in scratch prevention
Use the manufacturer's insertion and placement instructions after cleaning. A part can be treated gently at the sink and then pushed roughly into the appliance because the cook is in a hurry. Verify that the correct insert is present and oriented as specified before closing the drawer. If it resists unexpectedly, reassess the fit rather than using more force to make the handle line up with the front panel.
Update the household tool note when replacing a component, since the new part's materials or care directions may differ. Do not transfer permissions from an old basket to an accessory solely because both fit the same chamber. A useful scratch-prevention routine combines permitted tools, a manageable work area, bounded cleaning attempts and deliberate reassembly. It cannot promise a lifetime without wear, but it can keep avoidable guesswork out of ordinary owner care.
Behind this guide
Sources & editorial method
This guide combines original editorial decision support with the linked documentation. It is not a hands-on product test. Check the exact regional model and its manual before purchasing or using an appliance.
How we research and publish our guides