Few kitchen appliances play as important a role as the refrigerator. The fridge not only serves as a space to store food and cooking supplies, but it also keeps these things fresh and sanitary. So the cleanliness of the fridge should be a key consideration for all of us. So let’s jump right in with five easy steps for cleaning that fridge, and then we’ll also take a look at some important tips for keeping it clean and fresh for weeks to come.
1. Remove Everything from the Fridge
The first step in cleaning the fridge is to toss out all the spoiled and expired foods into the trash bin. Keep the good stuff on the counter or in a cooler while you clean the refrigerator. Watch out for messy drippings from leaky jars, old meats and produce.
2. Remove and Wash Bins and Door Railings
The meat and veggie bins come out next. Put them in the sink, along with the detachable railing pieces and egg/butter bin door. Wash all plastic pieces with hot, soapy water and leave them in the dish rack to dry while you work on the refrigerator’s interior.
3. Clean Shelves and Interior
Start at the top and work your way down.
First clean the ceiling, sides and back wall with a hot soapy rag or sponge. If you prefer, you can use a mild multi-surface spray cleaner. Just don’t use one that will leave a strong residue all over the place. Remember, you’re food is going in here!
Then do the shelves and work your way down to the bins and floor.
The glass shelves will still be very cold, so don’t use hot water on them, because the rapid temperature change could cause them to crack. Instead, use a room-temperature wet washrag for the initial cleaning and follow up with a gentle multi-purpose spray or a mixture of vinegar and water or baking soda and water. Again, don’t use hot water on cold glass fixtures.
Lastly, clean the door interior.
You can also clean the rubber seal around the door, but be sure to apply a layer of petroleum jelly all the way around it when you’re done. This will ensure an airtight seal and keep your refrigerator from leaking cold air and wasting electricity.
4. Return Bins and Railing
Now that the interior pieces are all dry, it’s time to return them. Be careful not to force the drawers/bins into place in a haphazard manner, as a slight misalignment could damage them. Just patiently line them up and slide them in.
5. Return the Food
Last of all, return the food. Take this opportunity to make a mental list of your inventory. There are probably some jars of jelly and various sauces that you completely forgot you had. If there are foods that are near their expiration or containers that are nearly empty, place them towards the front where you’ll see them and use them up.
As you return the items, you may also need to quickly wipe them down with a kitchen towel to remove condensation.
And remember these other tips for keeping the fridge fresh and sanitary going forward:
Occasionally remove and clean one drawer or shelf – maybe on a semi-weekly basis.
Keep baking soda or coffee grinds in the fridge to absorb moisture and odors.
Don’t leave open containers (like open soda cans or cups of juice) in the shelves, since they can get bumped or knocked over easily.
And eat those leftovers!
About the Author: Doug Harris is a home improvement blogger, repair man, and strong supporter of having a good home warranty. He’s been fixing things since he was 6 years old and is a passionate DIY advocate. Be sure to connect with him over at Google+ and on his blog DIY Home Repair & Maintenance for more tips on improving and renovating your home.
I hate cleaning the fridge. I usually let Kevin take care of it! Thanks for the tips =)
Thanx for tips. I also hate cleaning fridge like Kelly but still I am doing it n these tips will help me a lot. Cleaning is required weekly in my case. Can’t take health risk for my kids