Cleaning your refrigerator doesn’t have to be a mammoth task that takes all day; follow these tips for a quickly but hygienically clean fridge:
Get rid of what you don’t want
Throw away any food stuffs that are out of date, or are unlikely to get eaten, and place all of the items you want to keep on a countertop.
Remove the shelves and drawers
While this will make the job take a little longer, washing the shelves and drawers is absolutely necessary if you want to carry out the task properly and have a hygienically clean refrigerator. Place them in the sink ready to be washed.
Clean the shelves/racks/drawers etc
Fill the sink with hot, soapy water and start lightly scrubbing to get everything clean. Take care not to place glass shelves into the hot water as they may crack; if the water is too hot, simply add some cold water to cool it a little.
While some shelves may only need a quick (but thorough) wipe down, others may require a good scrubbing. Take care not to scratch glass shelves by using a harsh scrubbing product.
Clean the interior surfaces
Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and place it at the foot of the refrigerator for convenience, before thoroughly cleaning the interior, from top to bottom and wiping it dry with a clean cloth. Bacteria could easily be lurking inside your fridge, and while you may not be able to see it, it’s best to wipe it all down to be safe. To help your refrigerator smell fresher and lift more stubborn food stains, make a solution of hot water combined with two tablespoons of baking soda. It should form a paste that can be smeared over surfaces, before scrubbing lightly to lift the stains. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the refrigerator door, too.
Organize your food items
Carefully storing food items inside your refrigerator will make it easier to see what’s in there when you’re stuck for inspiration for dinner, and help preserve it for longer, too. Here’s how to easily organize your refrigerator:
- Use fridge liners to protect your food and shelves from leakages, and make cleaning much easier.
- For items stored in containers, try to write on them what the food item is, and when it was cooked or bought to help you know its level of freshness.
- Many items that we pick up from the store are grubby, not to mention potentially covered in germs. But by taking the time to clean them (using a hot cloth for tins and jars etc and a soaking solution of salt, water and vinegar for fruits and vegetables) before placing them inside the refrigerator, you can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and keep the interior of your fridge cleaner, too.
Dread cleaning your refrigerator? Why not add it to the cleaning schedule of your regular cleaning service, or if you haven’t yet discovered the joys of paying someone else to clean your home for you, hire one right away!
