Cleaning your refrigerator is one of the most important tasks you can do to keep it looking and smelling fresh. The key is to take your time and do it regularly.
The best way to start is to empty the fridge and purge all expired food and condiments. That will help prevent odors and sticky spills from forming.
Clean the Inside
Your refrigerator is one of the most used appliances in your kitchen, so it’s essential to ensure it stays in tip-top shape. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep it clean.
First, start by cleaning out your fridge. Leaving old food, expired foods, and condiments in the refrigerator can lead to mold and bacteria.
Next, remove all removable shelves and drawers to give them time to warm up to room temperature before putting them back in place.
Then, use fragrance-free dish soap and hot water to clean the shelves and bins. Rinse thoroughly and set the items upside down to dry.
You can also spray a solution of water and vinegar onto the inside of your refrigerator to break down stubborn stains. If you have a stainless-steel model, Bell recommends using a cleaner designed for stainless steel to banish fingerprints and smudges.
Clean the Door
The refrigerator door is where most of the food goes, so it’s a good idea to clean it regularly. This will keep it looking good and help your kitchen smell fresh, too!
Start using a damp cloth or sponge to remove any surface dust and debris. Mix mild dish soap and warm water with a soft sponge or cloth to lightly scrub the door, including the sides.
Once the surface is clean, rinse off any excess dish soap and dry your door with a microfiber cloth to prevent drip marks.
Next, wipe down the interior doors and the ice and water dispensers. This will eliminate smudges or hard water stains and make them look new.
Wood doors tend to collect a lot of dirt and grime over time, so it’s a good idea for them to be deep cleaned occasionally. Then, you can use furniture polish to keep them looking their best.
Clean the Shelves
The refrigerator shelves can get dirty over time, and it’s best to clean them when they’re empty. Using vinegar and hot water to scrub down the shelves effectively removes grease and grime.
A cotton bud can also help get old food out of grooves on the shelf. You can also use a toothpick to scrub out any dirt stuck between the frame and the shelf surround.
Alternatively, you can use a solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle to wipe down the shelves. It’s a good idea to let the shelves soak in this solution for a few minutes before wiping them down.
Separating dairy products from fruit and vegetables is a good idea by placing them on different shelves. This can help prevent odors from developing in the fridge.
Clean the Condenser Coil
Clean refrigerator condenser coils keep your fridge running at its best. When they’re clogged with dust, pet hair, and other debris, your refrigerator’s compressor can’t cool the air in your fridge as efficiently, causing it to run more often, use more energy, and overheat.
First, unplug the appliance to clean the condenser coils of your refrigerator. Doing so will prevent you from getting electrocuted and make it easier to work safely.
Once you’ve unplugged the refrigerator, locate the cover or grate that covers the condenser coils. This is usually located along the bottom of up-to-date models or across the back of older units.
Next, remove the cover or grate to access the condenser coils. Some great styles are easy to pop on and off, while others require a screw-in method. Check the owner’s manual for your refrigerator model if you have trouble.