Having a clean fridge is one of the most important areas to focus on when cleaning your kitchen. It’s vital that the appliance is kept clean and hygienic to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Cleaning the fridge doesn’t need to be a daunting process, this guide explains what products are suitable for cleaning the fridge and some simple techniques to help you get the task done in no time!
Once you have all your kitchen cleaning products to hand (remember: no disinfectant!), it’s time to consider how to tackle the fridge. Here are some handy methods:
- It may seem obvious, but remove all food before starting. Even if you’re only using natural products, you don’t want to be reaching around objects. Having an empty fridge makes the process so much easier, and removes the possibility of contamination.
- Take out all removable parts, such as shelves and drawers. Fill a sink with warm water and regular dishwashing soap and leave these parts to soak before wiping and rinsing.
- Wipe all surface areas either with commercial wipes, or with a combination of dishwashing soap and warm water. Use a microfibre cloth or a good quality sponge – these cleaning tools will not fall apart and leave little particles behind in the fridge.
- For stubborn stains, mix a small amount of baking soda with a little water to produce a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stain and leave for an hour before wiping with a damp sponge or cloth. The baking soda should loosen the stain, making it easy to wipe away.
- Pay attention to the groves inside the fridge interior where the shelves rest, as they can be hotspots for dirt.
- Dry the inside of the fridge thoroughly using paper towels or a clean tea towel.
Don’t overlook areas outside the fridge such as the handle and the door surround where germs can build up.