Below you will find cleaning tips, from itsGLO Cleaning's top professionals on how to clean your fridge
Refrigerators are among the most heavily utilized large kitchen appliances, making it essential to maintain their cleanliness. A spotless exterior can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen, while a well-maintained interior not only looks appealing but also optimizes space utilization and contributes to food freshness. This guide outlines the steps for both exterior and interior fridge cleaning.
Pro Tip: It is advisable to schedule refrigerator cleaning sessions at least every three months, especially, before significant holidays like Thanksgiving. This ensures ample space for additional ingredients, cookware, and eventual leftovers.
Step #1 - Turn Off The Fridge
If your refrigerator features removable shelves and you are diligent about keeping the door closed during cleaning, it is generally acceptable to leave the fridge on. However, it's important to note that leaving the refrigerator door open for extended periods can lead to electricity wastage. For safety and energy conservation purposes, it is recommended to unplug the fridge when cleaning the condenser coils and addressing the drip pan.
If unplugging the refrigerator isn't easily accessible or feasible, an alternative approach is to turn off the circuit breaker that supplies power to the refrigerator. This ensures both safety and energy efficiency during the cleaning process.
Step #2 - Empty The Fridge
To begin the process of cleaning your refrigerator, start by removing all its contents, including condiments, baking soda boxes, and other items. Place perishable items like opened milk cartons in a cooler and leave the remaining items on your kitchen counter. Ensure that you do not leave these food items out for more than an hour to maintain their freshness.
Next, conduct an inventory of the food you've removed and discard any old leftovers or expired items. This is an opportune moment to declutter and eliminate items that nobody in your household truly enjoys, freeing up valuable space in your fridge.
When possible, consider composting old produce and recycling containers to reduce waste. Finally, promptly dispose of the trash containing the discarded food items to ensure a clean and fresh refrigerator.
Step #3 - Clean the Removable Parts
Remove all of the removable shelves and drawers from the fridge. Cleaning them outside of the refrigerator provides better access to clean the interior.
In a sink or basin, prepare a mixture of fragrance-free dish soap and warm water. Use this solution to wash the shelves and drawers with a dish sponge, similar to how you would hand-wash dishes.
After washing, rinse the items thoroughly to ensure there are no traces of dishwashing liquid left behind.
Before placing the shelves and other removable components back inside the fridge, ensure that they are completely dry. Also, make sure the interior of the refrigerator has been cleaned before reassembling it.
Step #4 - Get Rid Of The Smells
First, clean the refrigerator using the cleaning steps outlined above to remove any contaminants contributing to the odor.
To deodorize, place a box or jar of baking soda on a rimmed baking sheet inside the fridge with the door closed. Keep it in there until the odor dissipates. Baking soda can effectively absorb and neutralize odors.
Alternatively, you can use other deodorizing agents, such as a tray of fresh coffee grounds, a tray of activated charcoal, or a pan of unscented cat litter. These items can help absorb and eliminate unwanted smells.
If these deodorizing methods prove ineffective, after you have thoroughly cleaned the fridge, leave it empty and keep the door open overnight. Allowing the fridge to air out can help remove persistent odors.
Step #5 - Pro Tips
Promptly wipe up spills and stains as they occur since leaving them to sit can make them more challenging to remove.
Ensure that containers entering the fridge are clean. Containers with residues on the outside, such as jam jars or ketchup bottles, can cause stickiness in the fridge.
When thawing items like frozen meat, place them on a rimmed plate or baking sheet to control spills or leaks.
For a pleasant aroma, soak cotton balls in vanilla extract and leave them in the fridge for a few hours.
Periodically clean the refrigerator door seal by using a toothbrush and a mixture of bleach and warm water. Wipe it dry with a cloth.
Stubborn stains can be tackled by scrubbing with toothpaste, which acts as a mild abrasive.
To absorb odors over time, place a crumpled piece of brown paper in the fruit and vegetable drawer.
Avoid overfilling your refrigerator. Adequate air circulation is essential for efficient cooling, and overcrowding can make it difficult to spot or clean stains.
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