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.