Tips for a Clean Fridge
Tackling Tough Fridge Problems
A clean fridge not only looks good but also helps prevent foodborne illnesses. Here are some tips to keep your fridge fresh and organized:
Regular Cleaning
- Weekly wipe-down: Quickly clean up spills and crumbs to prevent buildup.
- Deep clean monthly: Empty the fridge, remove shelves and drawers, and wash them with warm, soapy water.
Cleaning Solutions
- Baking soda and water: A gentle yet effective cleaner for removing odors and grime.
- White vinegar: Cuts through grease and helps eliminate odors.
- Commercial fridge cleaners: Available in various forms, but check for strong scents that might transfer to food.
Organization
- Label shelves and drawers: This helps with organization and prevents items from getting lost.
- First in, first out: Rotate food items to ensure freshness.
- Store similar items together: This makes it easier to find what you need.
Preventing Odors
- Baking soda box: Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors.
- Vinegar solution: Soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them in the fridge.
- Coffee grounds: Used coffee grounds can also help absorb odors.
Additional Tips
- Clean spills immediately: The quicker you clean up spills, the easier they are to remove.
- Check expiration dates: Regularly check for expired items and discard them.
- Defrost regularly: If you have a manual defrost fridge, defrost it to prevent ice buildup.
Fridge Storage Tips
- Proper food storage: Store meat and poultry on the bottom shelf to prevent drips.
- Temperature control: Keep your fridge temperature at or below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacterial growth.
- Leftover storage: Cover leftovers tightly to prevent odors and contamination.
- Think you don’t have time for this project? Real Simple Magazine offers a checklist on how to speed-clean the fridge in 20 minutes or less.
Fridge-Friendly Cleaning Schedule
- Daily: Wipe up spills immediately and check for expired items.
- Weekly: Give shelves and drawers a quick wipe-down.
- Monthly: Deep clean the entire fridge, including shelves and drawers.
Organizing small items:
- Use bins and containers: Organize small items like condiments, sauces, and drinks in clear containers for easy visibility.
- Door shelves for frequently used items: Keep items you use often, like milk and juice, on the door shelves for quick access.
- A New York Times Fridge Cleaning Tips article offers a list of supplies you’ll need for the clean-out. The list includes trash bags; rubber or disposable gloves; cleaning solution; a Dobie pad; sponges, rags or paper towels; microfiber cloths and a cooler for perishables, which suggests their method takes quite a bit longer than 20 minutes.
- Martha Stewart probably hasn’t cleaned out a fridge herself in decades, but she gives helpful advice on what you can do daily, weekly and seasonally, so that your fridge doesn’t become a hazmat nightmare.
- Here’s a tip from us: If you aren’t the DIY type—or you’d rather be doing anything else but cleaning your refrigerator, call Clean & Simple Cleaning and let us handle the job for you, and throw in the rest of the house while you're at it.
If you missed “National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day” on November 15, January is a great month for getting the job done. Give your fridge a fresh start for the New Year then pack it with fresh fruits and vegetables. Make a clean fridge your starting point for all other New Year's resolutions. Think how good you’ll feel after purging all those partially used condiments and sauces, that aging cheese that’s not supposed to be moldy, the mystery meat in the cold cut drawer, and the hard brown ball in the back of the produce drawer that used to be a lime.
