How To Clean Your Fridge With Baking Soda

A clean refrigerator is a necessity for keeping your food safe to eat. Bacteria and mold can grow in hidden areas where moisture gets trapped. This can easily spread to food and beverage items that are stored in the refrigerator. A thorough cleaning should be completed periodically, with more frequent, simple cleanings in between.

Deep Cleaning Your Refrigerator

You Will Need:

• Insulated bags or coolers
• Soft cloths
• Baking soda
• Water
• Bucket
• All purpose cleaner
• White vinegar
• Trash can
• Bags or boxes (optional)

Steps to Clean the Fridge:

1. Before you can clean the refrigerator, it needs to be empty.
2. Set up a sorting station with a cooler for perishable items that need to be kept cold, a bag or box for produce and items that will be fine to be out of refrigeration for the duration of the cleaning, and a trash can.
3. Remove each item and place it in the appropriate container. Dispose of items that are expired.
4. Remove the shelves and drawers carefully.
5. Place the shelves and drawers in a large sink or tub.
6. Wash them with hot water and an all purpose sanitizer or white vinegar.
7. Rinse them completely and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
8. While they dry, you can clean out the interior of the fridge.
9. Mix ¼ cup baking soda with 4 cups water. Baking soda is a safe and effective sanitizer and deodorizer. Soap can be added as well, but must be rinsed away completely.
10. Moisten a cloth with the baking soda and water mixture.
11. Wipe down the interior walls and door.
12. If desired, rinse with a clean cloth and clean water.
13. If there was any dried drips that did not come up with the baking soda scrubbing, wet a paper towel with white vinegar and press it onto the drips. Let it soak for about 15 minutes, then try scrubbing the spots again.
14. Clean the gaskets around the door to remove any dirt or mildew that may have been caught or developed in those areas.
15. Dry the surfaces with a soft cloth.
16. Once the interior is free of any drips, splashes or food debris, replace the clean shelves and drawers.
17. Return the food items. For ideas on organizing the refrigerator, see our guide 10 Ways to Better Organize Your Refrigerator
18. Maintain your clean refrigerator with our light cleaning steps below.

Light Cleanings to Maintain Your Clean Refrigerator

You Will Need:

• Warm water
• Soft cloths
• Soap (optional)

Steps to Clean the Fridge:

1. Light cleanings are best completed when the refrigerator is nearing empty. The day before grocery shopping day often presents a prime time to give the refrigerator a quick touch up.
2. Moisten a soft cloth with warm water. If there are spills that need more, soap can be added to the water. Be sure to rinse these areas completely to remove any soap residue.
3. Move items to the side to wipe the shelves down and remove any debris, drips and spills.
4. Discard any outdated or expired items.
5. Wipe the rubber gasket around the door. This is a common place for mold to grow, and frequent cleanings will help to prevent it.

Additional Tips and Advice

• Common items that leave debris on your fridge shelves are jelly containers, syrup bottles and milk jugs. The drips from these items often leave a residue that collects dirt. Wipe these containers frequently to remove any drips or runs.
• Cleaning your refrigerator with baking soda will also help to remove odors that may be present.
• An open box of baking soda can be kept in your fridge to absorb any odors that may be present. Replace the box every 4-6 weeks.
• To clean any debris that may be behind or under the fridge, tape a dry cloth around a thin long item, such as a yard stick or straightened wire hanger and sweep out the area. Do not add any water to the cloth unless you unplug the refrigerator first.
• If necessary, the fridge can be pulled away from the wall for better cleaning behind and under it, however, be sure to only do this when the fridge is empty and only when using a dolly or other moving device to avoid scratching the floor.

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How To Clean Your Fridge With Baking Soda

Source: https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-refrigerator/

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