How to clean your fridge

It’s the one appliance that’s always working hard to keep food fresh and is often subject to spills, stains and sticky fingers. A clean fridge is a happy one, so here’s how to give it a deep and satisfying clean.

Apr 06, 2016 5:22am

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.