According to experts, 36% of americans do not know how to clean their home appliances. A dirty and cluttered fridge makes your appliance work harder to properly cool the content, this, in turn, results in an increased energy bill. The following guide by MyCleaningAngel is the best way to deep clean your fridge quickly and effectively.
1. Gather The Supplies
One of the first fridge cleaning tips is to start by gathering all the necessary supplies so you don’t have to pause the process repeatedly. This is also important to clean the fridge in one go and save time.
What You Will Need
You will find most of the required supplies at your home, if you don’t have something at hand, you can always look for alternatives. To deep clean your fridge, you will need:
- A toothbrush
- Toothpicks, cocktail sticks, or drinking straws
- A sponge
- Baking Soda, vinegar, unscented soap, or any cleaning solution of choice
- Lemon or lemon juice
- A wet and dry cloth or rag
- Microfiber cloth
- A recycling bin
- A recycling bag
For the interior, you can use a baking soda solution mixed with water. You can use an old toothbrush to remove any traces of dirt and grime. The toothbrush can help you get into small crevices that are difficult to clean. If you’d like, you can also use a multi-purpose cleaner to remove the toughest stains.
Besides soap, you can also use baking soda and vinegar to remove the stains and odors. Baking soda is an excellent deodorizer and is safe for stainless steel whereas vinegar is a good exterior cleaner that absorbs the scents of food.
Before gathering the supplies, you should turn off your refrigerator to prevent any mishaps during deep cleaning your fridge.
2. Empty the Fridge – Remove the Food
To wipe the inside as well as any sticky shelves thoroughly, you will need to empty the fridge. This is also the main difference between regular and deep cleaning of your refrigerator. Regular cleaning can be conducted without emptying the fridge.
Remove everything from your fridge, including leftovers and condiment containers. You will also need to clean the bottles and jars. You can use a damp cloth and run them under warm water. Make sure to dry them properly before putting them back. In addition, you should throw out expired items.
3. Empty the Fridge – Remove the Drawers and Shelves
The best way to deep clean your fridge is to take the shelves and drawers out. It is an easier and the most effective way to clean the drawers and shelves, as well as all the nooks and crannies on the inside of the fridge.
If you clean the fridge regularly, deep cleaning is easy and less time-consuming. To prevent odors and messes, you should wash the inside of your fridge as often as possible. Stacking food containers can lead to spills. Lastly, wipe down the glass and metal surfaces with a solution of water and baking soda. Repeat this process regularly, and your fridge will have a spotless finish.
4. Soak The Shelves And Drawers
To remove odors and clean the inside of your refrigerator, soak the shelves and drawers in warm water after you remove them from the fridge (while you clean the fridge from the inside and outside). For more thorough cleaning, you can also use a Dobie Pad. It will scrub stuck-on food and spills from glass and plastic. One of the best ways to deep clean your fridge’s rubber seal around the door is to use thin rags.
Once you have cleaned the inside of the refrigerator, it’s time to clean the shelves. You can use a soft cloth or a plastic bag for this. You can also use a toothpick to clean the joints between the shelf and its surround. An old toothbrush or cotton bud will also work well to clean the grooves on the inside of the fridge.
5. Wash/Clean The Inside Of The Fridge
You can wash or clean the inside of your fridge using one of the following methods:
Dish Washing Liquid and Water Solution
It will be easier to scrub these areas with a dishwashing liquid solution mixed with warm water. To clean the interior surfaces, use a sponge or brush dipped in the solution to scrub away dirt and grime. Make sure to wipe the surfaces dry before returning them to the fridge. If the stains remain, you can use a solution that contains ammonia or hot water.
Tip: If you are using a dishwasher, make sure that the water is not too hot, as it can damage the plastic parts of the fridge. Hot water may also lead to cracking.
Another option is to wash the interior of the fridge with a nonabrasive scrubber from Home Depot.
Mild Dish Soap and Water Solution
You can use a mild dish soap and warm water. If you have stainless steel refrigerators, you can also use a bleach-based cleaner. The door gasket on your refrigerator is another area that you need to clean; this solution is effective in cleaning it. It collects dirt and grime and can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Water and Vinegar Mixture
To clean the inside of your refrigerator, you can make a mixture of water and vinegar and concentrate on the soiled areas. After scrubbing, wipe down the entire refrigerator with a rag or a microfiber cloth. You can also use a cotton bud or old toothbrush to clean the grooves inside. This is also a food-safe cleaner.
If your refrigerator has water spots, use a vinegar-water solution to clean the drip pan. Next, wipe down the inside of the fridge with a dry cloth or paper towel. Pay special attention to the seams.
Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda and water mixture is also a good and pocket-friendly option for deep cleaning a fridge. Just remember to rub the paste in a circular motion to remove any stubborn residues.
Lemon or Lemon Juice
Another effective fridge cleaning tip is to use fresh-cut lemon or lemon juice. You can rub lemon and baking soda over tough spots in a circular motion. If you are using lemon juice, simply dip your sponge and clean the dirty areas.
Whichever method you choose, pay special attention to the corners and nooks. You can use a toothpick to remove accumulated gunk between the shelves and the shelf surround. You can also use a cotton bud or an old toothbrush to scrub the fridge’s insides.
6. Clean the Outside of the Fridge
Your fridge’s draining hole is one of the most neglected areas. Deep cleaning a fridge includes paying attention to those areas that are likely to be missed during regular cleaning. The draining hole is where food gets lodged, causing a blockage. You can use a drinking straw, cotton bud, or a cocktail stick to remove the blockage.
Avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaning products or strong solvents to clean the doors as they may damage the finish. You can use a soft sponge with warm water.
7. Time to Dry
Once you’ve finished cleaning the inside of the fridge, allow it to dry. Use a clean towel to dry the surfaces afterward. You should also make sure that the drawers and shelves and other removable parts like bins are also completely dry. Wet or moist parts can lead to foul odors, which would make your time and effort go to waste as your fridge won’t smell fresh.
8. Turn Your Appliance Back on
Once you are certain that everything is dry, shut the door of your refrigerator and turn on the appliance. This way, the cooling process will start and the fridge will be of suitable temperature to put everything back in.
Before you turn your fridge on, make sure there are no water pools beside the appliance. You should also throw the cleaning supplies in their respective containers. The rags, cloths, sponges, etc. will go in the bin to be washed. Use the plastic bag to put in used toothpicks, toothbrushes, straws, and other supplies that you used to deep clean your fridge.
9. Reset Everything
After deep cleaning your refrigerator, you should make sure that everything is put back in its proper place. You can also organize your fridge by grouping similar items after you’re done cleaning.
Fridge Cleaning Tips – Weekly Cleaning Checklist
- Air filters
- Exterior
- Interior wall
- Drip trays
- Shelves
Fridge Cleaning Tips – Monthly Cleaning Checklist
- Condenser
- Coils
- Exterior
- Interior wall
- Drip trays
- Shelves
What Are The Dangers Of Not Cleaning Your Refrigerator?
Food spoilage is the biggest danger of not cleaning your refrigerator. Spoiled food releases ethylene gas, which can build up in your refrigerator and cause other foods to spoil more quickly.
Contact us today!
Follow the best ways to deep clean your fridge to keep your appliance in good condition. If you don’t have the time to deep clean your fridge, hire MyCleaningAngel and expect a new-looking fridge after our team is done.
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