Your fridge is the most important, and hardest working, appliance in your house. It runs 24hours a day, seven days a week, keeping food fresh and safe for you and your family. It saves you money and helps curb food-borne bacteria. So it’s important to keep it running at its best and that means keeping it clean, inside and out. A dirty fridge can make food spoil faster, compromise food safety and affect the overall operation of the appliance itself. These fridge-friendly cleaning tips will keep your hardest working appliance working at its peak.
Clean in, clean out
The first step in keeping the inside of your fridge clean is to ensure everything you put in there is also clean. Every messy ketchup bottle lip, sticky jam far or sloppy salad dressing bottle will add to the mess in your fridge. So be sure to wipe down any messy condiment bottles or jars before they are put back. And make sure every lid is screwed on tight – most people instinctively grab bottles from the lid or neck, especially if they’re reaching for it in the back of the fridge, so a loose cap of lid can make a big mess. And don’t forget to clean up any in-fridge spills as soon as they happen, so they don’t dry into a sloppy, sticky mess.
Keep your fridge fresh
Nothing will add mess and odour to your fridge faster than spoiled food. Make sure to remove any rotten food as soon as you see it. And check your expiry dates regularly so you’re not harbouring any old food that could make your fridge smell and make you sick.
Scrub the seals
Your door seal can collect crumbs and moisture that can turn to mould. Be sure to wash them a few times a year with warm, soapy water and dry them very well. Inspect them regularly for any rips or tears, and make sure your doors are sealing properly.
Empty and clean
It’s a good idea to empty out your fridge and completely clean it a few times a year. You can unplug the fridge while you’re cleaning it to ensure you don’t over work the fridge motor. Any food items should be placed in coolers or another fridge to keep them fresh. The best time to do this is right before your weekly or bi-weekly grocery shop, so there is less in the fridge to have to keep cold. Remove the shelves and crispers and wash them with warm, soapy water (be sure to let any glass shelving come to room temperature before adding warm water, to avoid cracking). Using warm water and baking soda is also a great way to scrub away any stains and eliminate food odours. Next, wash and dry the inside of your fridge and put your shelving back. Plug the fridge back in and let it run for a bit and cool down before putting your food back. Remember to add a box of baking soda to help control food odours and replace it regularly.
Your fridge stores the food you and your family eat so it’s important to keep it clean. The cleaner it is, the safer and better tasting your food will be.