Clean your refrigerator and keep it fresh year round

If it's been awhile since you cracked open your refrigerator door for a cleaning, stop here and learn how to quickly and efficiently clean that soiled beast.


Improperly stored foods, leftovers, spills, and neglect can turn your refrigerator into a nightmare. Mold, mildew, and bacteria commonly invade refrigerators through simple use. To keep your refrigerator running properly and your family safe from foodborne illness, a thorough refrigerator cleaning is recommended at least once-per-year. To properly clean your refrigerator:

FULL-CLEANING

1. Loosen the refrigerator lightbulb so that it is off. Refrigerator lightbulbs were intended for only short-period uses and will likely burn out if left on during heavy-duty cleaning.

2. Find your temperature control knob (inside the refrigerator) and turn it to the "off" position. Unplug the refrigerator.

3. Remove all food items from your refrigerator and store in a cooler or separate refrigerator until cleaning is done.

4. Pull out all produce and meat drawers, removable shelves and wire racks. All such items should be washed in a sink filled with hot water and dish soap or in a dishwasher.

5. Using a sponge or rag, wash down the inside of the refrigerator with a solution of 1/2-quart hot water and 2-tablespoons baking soda.

6. With the same sponge or rag, wash the inside of the door and all its compartments. (From stubborn stains and odors, see below.)

7. Using a fresh, clean rag or sponge, rinse the entire refrigerator and all areas you have just cleaned and scrubbed. When you're confident everything has been rinsed properly, dry with paper towels or allow to air dry thoroughly.

8. Replace drawers, wire racks, and shelves.

9. Using a clean rag and hot water and dish soap, wash down the rubber molding around the refrigerator door. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

10. Wash the outside of the refrigerator with hot water and dish soap or an antibacterial cleanser. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

11. If your refrigerator has a drip pan, remove it from underneath the refrigerator. Empty and scrub. Rinse and allow to dry before replacing.

12. Remove the metal plate of the refrigerator near the floor. (It is usually located at the front or rear of your refrigerator, at floor level.) Vacuum around this entire area. Clean condenser coils with a coil brush or vacuum hose to remove all dirt, dust, and debris that has settled. Wash metal plate when finished. Rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing.

13. Plug in your refrigerator. Twist the lightbult so that it turns on again. Turn the temperature control knob back "on," and to your desired settings.

14. When refrigerator has cooled completely and is at the appropriate temperature, return all food items to their proper place. Check dates on condiments as you put them away, tossing outdated or questionable items.

HEAVY DUTY CLEANING TIPS

Sometimes, baking soda and water doesn't provide enough umph to get the grime and grunge out of household refrigerators. For extra tough stains and spills, try:

TOOTHPASTE

Non-abrasive toothpaste helps to cleanse and brighten refrigerators without the scratching properties of most household cleansers. Apply liberally with a sponge or rag and scrub until stains disappear. Rinse with a clean rag and warm water.

DEGREASERS

Household degreasers (commercial or lemon water) will go a long way in cleaning up meat juices and other oily messes.

VINEGAR

Heat a small bowl of vinegar on the stove top or in the microwave and place inside refrigerator for five minutes. The steam and acid will loosen stuck-on foods and allow you to more easily remove them. (You can cut a lemon in half, add to 1 cup water, and heat, as well.)

ODOR REMOVERS

TOOTHPASTE

Many appliance stores and rental outlets clean refrigerators with toothpaste, a surprisingly effective product in removing embedded, strong odors. Always use a non-abrasive toothpaste. Apply as needed and scrub with your regular sponge, brush, or rag. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Your refrigerator will be left sparkling white and minty fresh!

BAKING SODA

Baking soda has been an odor cure-all for centuries. To rid your fridge of offensive odors, add a cup of baking soda to a bowl or plate and place inside refrigerator for 24-hours. Remove and properly dispose of baking soda when done. You can also add an entire box of baking soda to the back of refrigerator to help cut down on odor contamination and keep your refrigerator smelling fresh year round.

CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal is another great odor absorber. Place a dish or bowl of charcoal inside the refrigerator , and allow it to soak up odors for several hours to a few days. Charcoal works well on sour odors. Remove dish when finished and dispose of charcoal.

COFFEE

Fill a plate with freshly ground coffee and place on an empty shelf inside the refrigerator to remove offensive odors. Leave plate in place for several days. This works well on strong odors.

ODOR PREVENTION

TAKE INVENTORY

Once a week or immediately before going grocery shopping, take inventory of the contents of your refrigerator. Remove outdated foods promptly.

PROPER STORAGE

Always store leftovers, opened packages of meats and cheeses, perishable items, and strong foods in separate airtight containers. Foods which remain uncovered absorb odors from other foods and also contaminate other items, like fruits and vegetables.

WASH THE MEAT DRAWER

The meat drawer is the coldest part of your refrigerator and the most ideal place to store and thaw meats. Always use the drawer to avoid cross contamination of bacteria and foodborne illness. Also, clean the drawer when necessary. When meat juices have spilled over into the drawer, remove drawer and wash thoroughly with hot water and dish soap.

CLEAN UP IMMEDIATELY

Clean spills up immediately! Use hot water and dish soap to wipe spilled food items from drawers, racks, and refrigerator walls and shelves. Uncleaned surfaces lead to bacteria, mold, mildew, odor, and possible food borne illness.

TIPS AND TRICKS

ALWAYS keep your internal refrigerator temperature set to the proper setting and check frequently. Refrigerators should be set for 38-40-degrees Farenheit and freezers to 0-5-degrees Farenheit.

REPLACE door seals as needed. Improperly fitting seals cause cold air loss and temperature fluctuations.

CLEAN door seals as needed with hot water and dish soap.


SOURCE: http://ok.essortment.com/howtocleanref_rkeh.htm