Let’s make your fridge sparkle and shine! Imagine opening the door and seeing everything neatly laid out, no leftovers or old food stuck to the shelves and a fresh, clean aroma. Here’s how to clean your fridge in 6 easy steps.
1. Gather the right tools for the job.
You’ll need rubber gloves, a bin or rubbish bag, cleaning pads and dishcloths. Lots of soapy hot water is also essential.
2. Take everything out.
Yes – everything. It’s no good thinking you'll be able to clean round that old tin of tomatoes or jar of jam – start with a completely empty fridge. Store perishables in a cool bag and do the clean as quickly as possible so bacteria don’t start to grow. Remove the shelves and drawers too as you're going to give these a deep clean. Be careful as they can sometimes be difficult to remove.
3. Throw out the old food.
Anything that’s past its expiry date or unidentifiable needs to go in the bin. This includes half-used packets of cheese or ham that the air has got to and half-eaten bags of salad or squashed veg. If in doubt – throw it out!
4. Now it's time to clean.
Use washing-up liquid and hot water to wipe the insides of the fridge. We don’t advise using strong chemical cleaners as this could affect the food. You can also use the natural option of lemon juice mixed with a little bicarbonate of soda.
Put the shelves and trays in the dishwasher or wash them in hot soapy water and leave to drain.
For those difficult to reach nooks and crannies where food has gathered, use a toothpick or old toothbrush to remove the grime and crumbs. (We didn't say this was going to be a pleasant job!)
Gently wipe inside the seals with a damp cloth as these are the perfect breeding ground for mould and germs.
Take everything out. Yes – everything.
5. Once everything is clean and the fridge is back to its correct temperature enjoy organising your food neatly.
Keep fresh meat, dairy, drinks and miscellaneous items in groups so you can easily find things.
You now have a hygienic and organised fridge that’s a pleasure to use!
