Fridge Cleaning Guide |
Simple step-by-step directions for a sparkling clean fridge
1. Turn off the temperature control knob on the inside of your fridge.2. If your fridge has a removable drip pan underneath, take it out to be cleaned.
3. Remove all food from your fridge, including items on the fridge door and inside drawers.
4. Take out all removable parts including fridge shelves and drawers.
5. Fill your kitchen sink with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Wash all removable parts in the soapy water using a clean cloth. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
6. Using a mixture of warm water with a sprinkle of baking soda, start at the top and wipe down all the inside surfaces of your fridge, including the sides, ceiling and bottom. Do the same on the inside of your fridge door, paying special attention to corners and hidden areas. Also, clean the plastic seal around your door, plus the seal on the door itself.
7. If necessary, use a kitchen towel to dry the inside of the fridge and then carefully replace your sparkling clean shelving, drawers etc.
8. Now it’s time to go through the contents of your fridge. Check expiry dates on all perishable items and don’t hesitate to throw out anything questionable. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be surprised by how many expired salad dressing bottles you’ve been storing! Throw out anything moldy or questionably odorous.
9. Using a clean soapy cloth, wipe off sticky bottles and other containers.
10. Before placing items back in the fridge, take the time to consider best places to store items for easy retrieval. You may also want to organize by purpose – lunch items, dinner prep, leftovers, etc. Define an easy system that works best for you and your family.
11. Turn the temperature control back ON.
12. Stand back and admire your accomplishment! Make a pact with yourself to do this monthly. Next month, use a stopwatch and time yourself – you’ll get faster each time and soon realize the effort is well worth the results!
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Lorrie | October 23, 2008 at 10:42 pm - §
I have a friend that told me something she did as part of her fridge cleaning routine and I teased her about it until I tried it and now I've been doing it for years and pass on the tip too.Vacuum your fridge, yes you read it correctly I told you to vacuum your fridge. Especially the area where after you remove your crispers and the little thin spaces where it's difficult to get a cloth or sponge it. Once you've vacuumed your fridge it's a tip you'll be passing on too!
Orae Hiester | October 25, 2008 at 11:46 am - §
I could'nt find this article better than today. As I was planning to clean the frige today.Thank you.
Lola | December 29, 2008 at 7:07 pm - §
Well Vacuum my fridge well never heard of it but hey anything thats going to make things easier I'm willing to give it a try thanks because after New Years I must clean my fridge a job I do not look forward to so again Thank You.HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
Petra | October 21, 2009 at 12:22 pm - §
I just cleaned out my fridge as I am moving this weekend and agree with all the above cleaning tips, especially checking the dates on the salad dressings. Go on look, you will be surprised too. I have promised not to buy so many in our new home. LOL
Orae Hiester | October 21, 2009 at 5:03 pm - §
After I clean the Fridge to make it easy to find items. I put a lazy suzy in the fridge by that I can turn it and don't have to look around between other items. Also I put an clear box and put things in it and it is easy to pull the box out and you find what you want at a glance.
Charmaine | October 22, 2009 at 8:20 am - §
Some great ideas. Thank you! I will be hauling out the vacuum when I do my fridge cleaning. I love the idea of the lazy susan and the clear box. I always have bottles or containers falling down at the back when things get moved around (there is a gap between the shelf and the back of the fridge). I'll be picking up a box on the weekend to help control the jars/bottles. I just wish I could better control the number of jars and bottles that end up in the fridge.