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You use your refrigerator every single day. How often do you clean it? Unless you have a lot of spare time on your hands, the answer is probably not often enough. We put off cleaning our kitchen because most of us perceive it as a time-consuming, difficult and disgusting task - but it doesn’t have to be. Get the squeaky clean fridge you’ve always dreamed of by following these simple steps.

Prepare yourself for the task

Make sure you’ve got all the necessary items to get your fridge looking (and smelling) like new. You’ll need:

  • To empty your fridge out first. Throw old and expired food away, along with random sauce packets - does anyone ever end up using those, anyway? Temporarily store perishable food in a ice-cold cooler to keep it from going off.

  • Rubber gloves. Get the heavy duty kind, depending on how messy your fridge is.

  • Several clean cloths and a tub of hot water (alternatively, just use the sink).

  • Washing up liquid, preferably the anti-bacterial variety.

  • A powerful all-purpose cleaner.

  • Toothpaste - you’ll find out why later.

  • A non-abrasive plastic scrubber, much like the one you use on dishes.

  • Window cleaner (optional).


The process

Once you’ve removed everything from your fridge, remove shelves and drawers, too. This will make cleaning a little easier, as you’ll be able to reach all those oft-overlooked crevices and problem areas.

Use a damp, soapy towel to wipe down the interior. Pay special attention to the back of the refrigerator and shelves on the door, where crumbs and liquids often collect.

Dry surfaces using a soft cloth, replace shelves and drawers, and put the food back in the fridge. Carefully arrange food and drinks in a logical, accessible way, as this will motivate you to keep things neat and organised.

Finish the cleaning process by wiping down your fridge’s exterior. Use hot water, mild dish soap and a soft cloth to prevent scratching. You might want to use window cleaner to get rid of streaks, depending on your exterior surface and how much of a neat freak you are.

Commit to daily upkeep

A little spillage, if left for hours, can create a big hassle. Dried, stuck-on stains can be a nightmare to remove, especially if they’ve been left for days. To eliminate residual odour and prevent mold and mildew, use an all-purpose cleaner containing ammonia, baking soda and vinegar. Spray a little on and wipe off with a tea towel or absorbent paper towel.

For especially difficult stains, use a plastic scrubber and toothpaste - it contains a gentle abrasive. Plus, it’ll leave your fridge smelling minty fresh!

Additionally, get in the habit of throwing out old food once a week. This will make a huge difference in the overall cleanliness of your fridge and prevent nasty smells from occurring. After all, opening up your fridge to a wave of foul odour is pretty unnappetising - keep things fresh and tidy by committing to frequent upkeep. Your fridge is worth the effort!


© Axonn 2015