A clean refrigerator promises to keep food fresher, so do your best to maintain the cleanliness of this kitchen workhorse.
The refrigerator is one of the hardest working appliances in your home — and one that often takes a beating. It’s subject to spills, varied odors, and overcrowding, and it’s the one appliance that never gets a rest.
Today we will be working on how to organize the fridge and keep it clean. The main idea when re-organizing your fridge is to maximize your space in order to make your food more accessible and minimize food waste, and to maintain the cleanliness
Daily: Wipe up spills immediately, before they have a chance to dry. Make sure everything that goes into the fridge is immaculate; wipe off rims of jam jars, salad dressing bottles, and ketchup containers before storing them.
Cleaning Supplie
Microfiber cloth
Norwex window cloth
Bowl of warm water with some dish soap added
To clean out the fridge, just do a couple of shelves at a time so that the food is not out for too long and doesn’t have to leave the fridge door open for too long. Remove food in the section that you are working on. Remove the shelves and bins and wash in the sink if able. Wipe the remaining parts on the fridge with your microfiber cloth and warm dish soap water. Dry with the window cloth. When you are replacing your food, keep like items together as much as possible. Make sure you are checking expiry labels and looking for food that may have gone back before replacing it in the fridge.
Store the milk in the door as well as many of the condiments. I have read that it is best to store the milk in the fridge rather than on the door so it is in a colder section of the fridge but it fits so much better in the door and I have never had a problem with it not being cold. Maybe this is more of an issue in warmer climates.
Use some vinyl and Silhouette machine to create all of the labels for the bins…
To clean the stainless steel, use the Norwex window cloth and a little bit of water. It works better than any of the other cleaners and is quick and easy to do.
Maintenance
Check for Spoilage
Daily: Check for spoilage and throw out anything past its prime. Place anything likely to leak, such as defrosting meat or cartons of berries, on a rimmed plate.
Clean Doors
Weekly: Wipe doors, including edges, and top of refrigerator with a cloth dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and water. Pay special attention to the areas around the handles, which can harbor sticky fingerprints. For stainless-steel surfaces, use commercial stainless-steel spray and wipe in the direction of the grain.
Seasonally: Clean the door seals, which can collect crumbs, with hot water and mild dishwashing liquid. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. Check that seals fit properly.
Empty the Fridge
Seasonally: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box and empty the fridge contents into a cooler. Bring glass shelves and crisper drawers to room temperature before you wash them.
Clean the Interior
Seasonally: Wipe the interior with a mix of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 quart hot water. Rinse with a damp cloth, then dry with a clean towel. This will clean as well as help to eliminate odors. Do not use soap or detergent, because they can leave behind a scent the food will absorb.
To remove caked-on residue, rehydrate by liberally applying the baking soda solution with a wet towel. Leave the door open, and let the residue soak in the solution for 10 minutes, or until it starts to crack or soften. Reapply if necessary.
Soak shelves and bins in a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda for every quart warm water. Do not wash in the dishwasher, and dry thoroughly before replacing.
Keep Leftovers Airtight
Regular maintenance and storing leftovers in airtight containers are the best ways to prevent odors. Even so, you may still be plagued with smells from time to time. Try spreading a box of baking soda onto a rimmed baking sheet. Leave it inside with the door closed, until the smell goes away.
Eliminate Odors
Another method is to spread fresh coffee grounds on a tray inside, until the smell goes away. The lingering coffee scent will eventually disappear.
Or, place activated charcoal (available at drugstores or pet shops) on a tray inside, with the fridge temperature set on “low.”
Cat litter can also help. Spread 1/2 inch unscented chlorophyll cat litter in a shallow pan and leave it inside until the smell is gone.