If there’s one thing that reveals your true self – it’s your fridge.
Mine is always higgledy-piggledy with heaven knows what in coloured containers or concealed in plastic wrap. But it’s almost clean. The best thing about cleaning your fridge is getting, apart from a clean fridge, the opportunity to organise the contents.
Bur let’s start with a good clean-up.
- Have your rubbish bag and compost bag ready. Some things may have to go out, either into the garbage or into the compost
- Fill your sink 2/3 with hot soapy water. I often use my laundry sink for this, it’s bigger than the one in the kitchen.
- Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water (mild dish detergent is fine)
- Have some clean cloths, or tea-towels, ready
Now you’re set to start
Turn the temperature control knob to the “off” position. Your fridge will be open for a while once you start cleaning, so there’s no sense in having it running and using electricity.
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- Take everything out of the refrigerator and put it on the bench nearby
- Throw away spoiled food, anything that is mouldy, expired, or hasn’t been used in more than a month-6 weeks.
- Take the shelves, wire racks and drawers out. Wash them in that in the sink full of hot water. Use an ordinary sponge or cloth unless you’ve found some caked, dried-on gunk. Leave them to dry.
- Wipe away any residue from the bottom with a sponge before you begin the rest of the fridge.
- Starting at the top and working down, wipe all surfaces with the cleaning solution of your choice. Rinse using fresh warm water. Dry with a cloth
- Using that bucket of warm, soapy water, wash the inside walls of the fridge. Wash inside all the compartments and inside the door racks. Use a soft scrubbing sponge for any dried spills.
- Rinse the inside of the fridge with a clean sponge or dish cloth and clean warm water.
- Replace all the shelves, wire racks and drawers.
- Wash the outside. Don’t forget the rubber molding around the fridge door! Rinse with a clean cloth and wipe dry.
Organising your fridge
As you put the food back into your fridge, use your wash cloth to wipe off any sticky or messy jars, canisters, etc.
Turn the temperature knob back to the “on” position at the recommending temperature setting.
Remove Odour
If you need to control odour in your refrigerator, slightly squeeze half of a lemon and put it into a small bowl. Place it somewhere in your fridge
Clean the Coils
A few times a year, you should pull your refrigerator out and vacuum the condenser coils at the back. They have a tendency to get dusty and could cause a fire if there happened to be a spark.
Preserve the Lining
You should never use harsh abrasives, scouring pads or harsh cleaners in your refrigerator. Abrasives, scouring pads and harsh cleaners can damage the finish inside your refrigerator and compromise the integrity of the lining which could cost you more in energy to keep the refrigerator cool.