Is Your Refrigerator As Clean As It Seems To Be?

Is Your Refrigerator As Clean As It Seems To Be?

refrigerator clening tips

Cleaning is one household chore that very few look forward to. There are a few exceptional ones’ who cannot bear to see a speck of dust in their homes, offices and areas that they tend to use. But the number of such people is very small. Most of us prefer to clean only when you have a day off or seasonal cleaning or for that matter whenever a festival is close by.


We are sure you are among those who consider the bathroom or the toilet to be the dirtiest in your home. But did you know your refrigerator is also included in that small list of dirtiest places in a home?

Are you wondering how that is possible? Though the inside is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, the handle isn’t far behind as it is the most frequently touched surface in the house.


Isn’t that a little scary to know, when you consider that it is the place where you store food to keep it from spoiling or wilting in case of vegetables. Don’t you think that lack of cleanliness could be one of the reasons why you tend to fall sick frequently? A clean and organized refrigerator helps to keep your food fresh, lower wastage of food and prevent contamination


Maybe it is time to look a little closely at a few refrigerator cleaning tips to make sure we have access to clean and healthy food.


Clean Up the Spills:

It is just common sense to clean up any spill or leak in your refrigerator especially sticky bottles, takeout containers, or even milk cartons. What would make it easier if you pre-clean these products like butter boxes, jam or pickle jars or ketchup bottles before placing it in the refrigerator and keep kitchen bacteria away.


Keep the Perishables Where They are Visible:

Though you have pre-cleaned a few things like perishables, it is quite possible they may cause a mess later such as things like rotting veggies, forgotten meat casseroles or smelly products. The best way to avoid bacteria in the refrigerator is it to keep them where you can see or reach them easily. Try storing them in the crisper; it’s easier to check on them.


Add Dates to Your Storage Containers:

If you believe in storing food during the week in advance since you are busy with work otherwise, it makes sense to label and date your containers. Keep a marker handy, so that you can write on the labels whenever you need to. This allows you to know if your food is good enough to be consumed or it has crossed it pass by date already. If they are old, then do not hesitate in throwing it out to prevent food contamination.


Clean the Insulation:

Just cleaning the trays and the shelves in your refrigerator is not enough. You need to clean the insulation that seals the refrigerator door. We often forget that the edges are also a part of the refrigerator. In case you have pets, you should be ready to clean up a lot of hair lodged in the edges.


To clean you can use hot water mixed with white vinegar. Wipe down the edges till they are clean. Do make sure you wash the rag thoroughly after that.


Not Just Shelves, Drawers too:

Cleaning shelves or trays is not enough. Take out the drawers, especially the produce rack in the refrigerator. Use warm water and soap to give them a good cleaning. To make the drawers sparkle, use water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio and see the magic.


Switch It Off:

When you decide to clean your fridge make sure you shut it off. Once you get down to cleaning your refrigerator completely, you will have the door open for longer than a minute. This will help you save electricity; we bet you never thought of doing that before.


Go Organic While Cleaning:

There are a many cleaning solutions available that talk of adding sparkle back the best, but avoid using them since they are chemical based. There is nothing that warm water and a little soap cannot clean. One of the best ways to clean fridge is to use baking soda and white vinegar to get rid of bad odor and de-sanitize at the same time. Here’s how you can do it –spread baking soda on the trays and spray vinegar over it. Leave it for at least ten minutes, then wipe clean. Use tissues and a dry rag to completely wipe down the fridge. Make sure it is completely dry before you use it.


Alternately Use Coffee:

If you feel your refrigerator is not completely odorless, though you have used enough baking soda to clean it up. (Shhh! you’re secrets safe with us) Keep a little fresh coffee grounds in the same tray as baking soda and let them get rid of odor. Coffee may leave a scent initially, but that will fade and so will the other smells after sometime.


Not Just Inside, But Outside Too:

Now that you have cleaned the inside of the refrigerator thoroughly, do not forget to clean the exteriors. The outside of the fridge, especially the handle is the most touched object in your house. Clean everything on the outside; use that white vinegar mix you made earlier. Even if it the fridge is stainless steel, the mix can be used on it. Use clean rags to wipe it down after cleaning.


Not just the door, but the sides too. Don’t leave the coils and the drip pan unclean. Take out the drip pan and wash it with soap and water and if it is too dirty, then you can try using a little bleach. Wipe the coils thoroughly or use a vacuum cleaner to deep clean.


Not a fan of cleaning, here’s a magic trick for you: You have belled the cat, so to say, but would not like to repeat the experience. Don’t worry here is what you can do. Once your refrigerator shelves and tray are clean, line them with plastic wrap or cling-film. The minute you find it has become too dirty, take off the wrap and add a new one. Your fridge is as good as new.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad