How Regularly Should You Clean Your Fridge?

Sticky surfaces, spoilt condiments, and bad smell are perfect conditions for bacteria growth in your fridge. Consuming food from a fridge that has these conditions will increase the risk of food poisoning. One should always cultivate a good habit of cleaning your fridge regularly for proper hygiene.

How often should you clean your fridge and how do you go about doing it? Read on to find out the best tips to get the job done.

Interior Cleaning

• Remove all items in the fridge, dispose of all old food, and spoilt condiments. Dampen a cloth and wipe down the trays and surfaces of the fridge. Secondly, take a dry cloth and do a full interior wipe down to ensure all surfaces are dry.

• If your fridge smells, fridge deodorizers can also be placed in different parts of the fridge to absorb all funky smell. A soap or baking soda solution can also be used when you are wiping down the interior of your fridge. Get hold of a clean sponge or cloth, dip it in the solution and rub the inside surfaces and sides thoroughly to remove all excess smell.

• Cleaning up spills and splashes from half-bottle drinks should always be done daily to avoid any sticky surfaces. Check the expiry date of groceries in the fridge weekly to ensure none of the food goes bad.

Exterior Cleaning

• Smudges, dust, and watermarks are usually found at the exterior of your fridge. Wipe down all fridge handles and the surface on top of the fridge and you will be surprised to find random items stored on the top.

• Unplug the fridge and pull it out to clean the flooring. Cleaning up the underneath of a fridge is just as important as you will find a huge amount of dust and dirt stored under it.

• Condenser coils are usually installed under the fridge and can collect a decent amount of dust over time. To keep your fridge running efficiently, all coils must be cleaned thoroughly every few months. A vacuum, coil brush or a bristled brush that can fit through the coil are efficient tools for cleaning the coil of the fridge.

Storing your grocery

• When you are done with the above, you can now store your groceries back into the fridge. Produce like fruits and vegetables can be packed into plastic or zip-lock bags when you put them in the fridge. This is to prevent them from getting spoilt quickly.

• Pack all left-over foods, half bottle condiments, and sauces by sealing them in air-tight containers. This will prevent them from going bad quickly and bacteria from flourishing which will result in a foul-smelling fridge.

• Separate your food into various groups such as dairy, meat and produce. This is a great way to prevent cross-contamination and helps keep your fridge organized. 

Regular cleaning of your fridge weekly will not only keep your fridge smelling pleasant but also to ensure the safety of the food for consumption.