How to deep clean your fridge:
Turn the power off at the wall.
Remove food from fridge and place any perishables in a chilly bin.
Take out the glass shelves and drawers and leave them on the bench to get to room temperature – this will prevent any cracking or steaming of the glass.
It might seem like a powerful cleaner is the next step in the process but soap, detergent and abrasive cleaners will leave a fragrance that can penetrate the food in the fridge.
Make a cleaning aid by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a litre of hot water. Use this liquid to wipe the interior of the fridge using a damp cloth. Wipe dry with a clean towel.
For any stains or tough residue sprinkle some baking soda onto the damp sponge and give it a good scrub. You can also let the stain soak in the baking powder and water cleaning solution from the previous step. Wipe away residue with a clean cloth.
For super tough stains, try using a touch of toothpaste to scrub at the stain.
The shelves and bins won’t fit in the dishwasher and it’s probably not advisable to clean them this way anyway. Soak the glass shelves and drawers in a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda per litre of water. Allow these to dry thoroughly before replacing.
Clean the door seals with hot water and mild dish-washing liquid; dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Put the food items back into the ridge, taking care to place them neatly onto shelves, and giving them a final edit. Do you really need that chutney from 2009’s Christmas hamper?
Turn the fridge back on.
Your daily checklist:
There are few things you can do every day to lessen the need for a deep clean:
Ensure you wipe up spills immediately – that puddle of beetroot juice will harden and stain if left too long.
Avoid putting anything in the fridge that’s sticky or saucy.
Wipe the tomato sauce bottle or maple syrup jar before you put it back in the door of the fridge.
Keep the lids on bottles and jars, have meet wrapped or covered and cheeses nicely packed to avoid odours circulating.
Remove any food that’s passed its prime.
Every week or so give the doors, inner doors and handles a good wipe with a damp cloth and mild dish-washing liquid and water.
Store leftovers in Tupperware containers.
