How to Clean Your Refrigerator the Right Way

If there is one place in your home that you must keep completely clean, that is your refrigerator. Though it might seem like a tedious task, a few helpful methods and quick routine clean ups can ease your load. It will also promote hygiene.

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Refrigerator?

When the food goes stale inside the fridge, it can spoil the fresh food too. This can result into the formation of fungus and bacteria. Sometimes, raw meat can also spread germs and infections. Thus, it is important to clean your refrigerator on a timely basis, especially if you have kids at home; they tend to open the fridge multiple times a day. In this article, we have compiled detailed tips and tricks to help you clean your fridge thoroughly.

Remove all the items from the refrigerator and throw away food that has gone bad or passed its expiry date. Don’t forget to unplug your refrigerator before starting to clean.

Ingredients to Keep Handy:

a) Dishwash gel

b) Water

c) Sponge

d) Cotton cloth

e) Vinegar

f) Lemon essential oil

g) Soft-bristled brush

h) Baking soda

i) Disinfectant spray

j) Kitchen Cleaner

How to Clean Your Refrigerator

1. Step 1: Wash the Trays and Drawers

   If you can remove the shelves and trays of your fridge, wash them first. Unless, they are heavily stained. Soak the stained trays in warm soapy solution. After soaking and washing with dishwash gel, you can spray Cif Kitchen Cleaner for extra cleaning. Cif Kitchen Cleaner helps cut through grease and clean the stains effectively. Check the pack to understand the correct usage instructions.

2. Step 2: Clean the Interiors and Exteriors

   To clean the interiors, make a cleaning solution by mixing 1 tsp. of dishwashing liquid in a bowl of water. Dampen a clean sponge in this solution and wipe the surfaces of your fridge. Once done, wipe away the residue with a dry cotton cloth. Ensure there is no residual moisture as this can lead to streaking. To clean the exteriors, you can use Cif Kitchen Cleaner which is easily available. It helps cut through grease and clean the stains effectively. Check the pack to understand the correct usage instructions.

3. Step 3: Clean the Door Handles

   You’ll need a concentrated cleaning solution to clean the door handles to remove tough dirt deposits and grease accumulation. Mix ½ a tsp. of dishwashing liquid and ½ a tsp. of vinegar in a bowl of warm water. It is a good fridge cleaner. Dampen a sponge in this solution and clean thoroughly. Wipe with a cotton cloth to remove residue moisture. 

4. Step 4: Clean the Gasket

   In a bowl, mix 1 cup each of vinegar and water. Dip a clean cloth in this solution and wipe the gasket. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Then apply a few drops of lemon essential oil on it using a soft-bristled brush. This will keep the rubber supple. 

5. Step 5: Treat Stubborn Stains

   For any stubborn stains, make a paste of vinegar and baking soda, 2 tbsp. each. Use a clean cloth to rub the stains with this paste. Then, dip a sponge in plain water and wipe clean. Remember to clean the inner corners of your fridge thoroughly. 

How to Maintain a Clean Refrigerator

1. Step 1: Store Food Items Separately

   It is important to take every measure to reduce or eliminate the risk of food contamination. Keep raw fish and meat in separate sections of the fridge to avoid spilling of the juices. Similarly, keep uncooked and cooked foods separately.

2. Step 2: Inspect For Mould

   Items like bread are prone to mould infestation. Don’t allow mould infestation in your fridge. It poses a risk for other food items. To clean mould, mix 2 tbsp. of baking soda, 2 tbsp. of vinegar in 1 cup of water. It will create foam and bubbles, do not worry, it will settle. Pour into a spray bottle and spray over mould. Scrub with an old toothbrush and then wipe with a damp sponge. Allow air circulation after cleaning.

3. Step 3: Put Items in Fridge

   If you've opened a new pack of condiments or other spices, put it in the fridge immediately after using. Do not keep them lying outside for long duration. 

4. Step 4: Treat Stains Swiftly

   If you notice any drips or spills, clean them as soon as possible. This will make removal easy and will keep your food areas hygienic. 

Maintaining a Refrigerator Cleaning Schedule

1. Step 1: Daily Activities.

   Grab a few minutes while cooking dinner to check for any spills in the fridge. Wipe it immediately. Also, disinfect your refrigerator door handles. To disinfect such high-touch surfaces like switches and door handles, you can use Domex Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Spray. It contains Sodium Hypochlorite, as recommended by leading health organisations, for disinfecting surfaces at home. Check pack to understand correct usage instructions. It safely kills germs on frequently touched surfaces in rooms and leaves behind a pleasant fragrance.

2. Step 2: Weekly Activities

   Before you plan your weekly grocery shopping, we suggest you to sort out all the contents of your fridge. Throw out the food that is past its use-by-date (remember to recycle the packaging, if possible). If some items are still edible and you are not planning to use it, you could give it to the needy in order to avoid wastage.

3. Step 3: Less Frequent Activities

   If possible, take the contents out of your refrigerator, including the removable parts such as the shelves and drawers, and give them a thorough clean up. You can also try to create a rota for cleaning different parts of the fridge over a month. 

4. Step 4: Preventing Dirt

   To prevent your fridge from attracting dirt, clean every jar or vessel before you keep it in the fridge. You can simply use a damp cloth to clean these surfaces. If you find any stains on your jars, mix 2 tbsp. of baking soda in 2 tbsp. of water to form a paste. Take a sponge to rub this on the stain or over the entire surface. Then wipe away with a damp cloth.

Depending on the usage, you need to deep clean your fridge. We recommend at least once in 2 months. 

Key Step 

To get rid of a foul odour from your fridge, keep an open dish with baking soda inside the refrigerator. The baking soda will absorb any strong smell.