Clean the inside walls and shelves of your refrigerator with warm water and liquid soap, then rinse. You can also sanitize monthly using one teaspoon of unscented bleach to every one quart of water. Put in a spray bottle, spray the surface, let it stand for 10 minutes, wipe with a clean paper towel then let air dry.
Every so often, wash down all surfaces of your fridge -- including racks and drawers -- with a vinegar solution. Wash the refrigerator door handle frequently with a bleach solution.
Making your natural fridge cleaner is simple, you just need hot water, white vinegar and lemon juice. Shake well and it's ready! This mixture will allow you to naturally clean and disinfect the inside of your fridge as well as its various compartments.
Always wipe down the bottles and jars after using and before putting them back into the fridge. Another thing you want to do is to keep any funky smells out of your fridge so use a fridge deodorizer to keep it fresh. This will absorb any odour left behind by the food items so that it does not linger in the fridge.
Do a deep cleaning of your refrigerator every three to four months. To keep things simple, you may choose to do a deep clean of your fridge at the start of each season. To deep clean your refrigerator, you'll need to completely clear out all the food and put it in a cooler for safekeeping.
Disinfectant sprays and surface wipes are ideal, but stay away from anything with strong chemicals, especially bleach and bleaching products. Some people prefer to take a more natural approach to cleaning the fridge.
Clean inside
Let's get to work on the inside of your fridge. Spray the walls, edges and corners with an antibacterial spray and wipe down with a damp cloth. Not only does this kill off any unwanted bacteria and germs, it'll also banish bad smells. Rinse away with plain water and you're done.
Place a block or a small container in the door to keep it from closing completely. This way, moisture won't get trapped inside and contribute to molding. You can also place an empty container of baking soda inside the open fridge to absorb any moisture or odors that do start building up.
Lining the drawers is also helpful. When you have a spill in a drawer, it always seems to get caked onto the bottom of the drawer. But with a liner, you can remove it and scrub it. So that you don't get mold growing in your refrigerator!
Essentially, the smells in your fridge are made from food particles that float around until they make their way to your nose. By putting baking soda in the refrigerator, you're giving the smelly particles something else to bond with, therefore neutralizing the odor and de-stinking your fridge before you smell the funk.
Is it good to clean a fridge with vinegar? Vinegar is one of the best things to clean a fridge with. Not only does its acidic qualities help to break down grease or sticky marks, but kills mold and bacteria spores and deodorizes lingering smells.
Vinegar is my go-to cleaning agent for this job. The acid breaks down grease and grime, and when mixed with hot water in a spray bottle, it becomes a food-safe cleaner that's perfect for any gunk that might have accumulated on refrigerator shelves.
Wash the detachable parts with a sponge, water, and washing up liquid. Mix ½L lukewarm water with 1 tbsp. bicarbonate of soda. Using the mixture, wipe the inside of the fridge and door seal with a soft cloth.
Some foods need to be kept in the fridge to help stop or slow down bacterial growth and keep them fresh and safe for longer. Generally, the colder the temperature the slower bacteria will grow, but cold temperatures don't always stop bacteria growing altogether.
Aim to have lots of fresh veggies, lean meats, fruit, and other foods that come without packaging. Tip: Keep your fridge between 32-40 degrees F. Move the food that spoils quickly to the front where you can easily see it.
Most people would not choose to eat spoiled food, but if they did, they probably would not get sick. However, some bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) thrive at cold temperatures, and if present, will grow in the refrigerator and could cause illness.
How does this work? Most fruits and vegetables, including kale and zucchini, release water over time. This moisture has nowhere to go and gets trapped in the crisper drawer, leading to sad, brown produce. Paper towels absorb the moisture, slowing the process of veggies falling limp.
Most refrigerators have two crisper drawers, and they are actually not the same even if they visually look like they are. One of the drawers is designed to keep certain produce, typically fruits, at a lower humidity, while the drawer is designed to keep other produce, typically vegetables, at a higher humidity.
Using foil makes cleaning much easier, allowing you to keep your cabinets and drawers clean and organized cheaply. In addition, lining your drawers will help you avoid scratching your wood cabinets or leaving permanent watermarks inside them.
If food is covered with mold, discard it.
Molds often grow on produce, baked goods, leftovers and dairy products. Mold spores will travel from one food item to another and can live on surfaces of the refrigerator. Mold needs moisture, air, and prefers warm temperatures. Foods which are kept past the recommended storage times are receptive to mold.
Placing a box baking soda in your fridge can help absorb moisture as well as bad odors, reducing your chance of developing mold inside your fridge. Just be sure to replace the box each month for the best protection.
Dettol Antibacterial Cleansing Surface Wipes are thick and moisture-rich, suitable for food preparation areas, high chairs, baths and taps, rubbish bins and fridges. Gentle enough to be used around baby equipment and food preparation and serving areas, they're the ideal wipe for a cleaner home.
Step 4: Clean the refrigerator
Try Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleanser with Fresh Lime & Mint fragrance, which has a non-bleach formula that's great for kitchen surfaces. Remember to also disinfect and clean the fridge handle and door seals, and don't forget to dry your fridge before restocking.
Remove paper and clean with vinegar and water. Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours.