How often are you cleaning your refrigerator?

This question is important to ask as your life gets busier.

Your fridge is a staple of the kitchen, relying on it to keep food fresh and free from contaminants that spoil food. Exposure to heat, light and fluctuating oxygen levels increases the risk of spoilage bacteria.

Common bacteria to avoid includes Brochothrix thermosphacta, Lactococcus spp, and Carnobacterium spp.

There’s also the problem of mold, but you can nip the problem in the bud before it even starts.

Start with this essential guide to refrigerator cleaning.

Three Simple Ingredients: Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Warm Water

Are you out of your regular multipurpose cleaner?

Don’t run out to the store just yet. You may have more powerful cleaning products right at home!

Items like baking soda, vinegar, and a little warm water go a long way.

For starters, empty out your fridge. Next, create a simple cleaning paste out of baking soda and warm water.

Baking soda is an antibacterial agent. Even keeping a box of opened baking soda in your fridge will help keep it smelling fresh.

Baking soda paste acts as a natural (yet gentle) cleaning abrasive, perfect for removing caked-on food and grime.

Any sponge will work with your baking soda paste. After which, you can switch to a simple cleaning solution made from equal parts warm water and vinegar. Lastly, dry off the inside of your fridge with a clean (and soft) microfiber cloth or towel.

Absorb Even More Odors

Cleaning tips also include odor removal!

An opened box of baking soda goes a long way in absorbing odors from your fridge.

You can also try crumpling brown paper bags into small balls and storing them in your vegetable bins. Simply, remove the paper balls once they’re soiled.

Do you have any extra cotton balls from the bathroom?

Pour a little vanilla extract into the cotton balls and place them in a small bowl or dish. Keep the moistened cotton balls in the fridge as a natural air freshener.

The back of your refrigerator also produces unpleasant odors. You can combat this by placing a few lumps of activated charcoal in a tube sock and storing it behind the fridge.

Refrigerator Cleaning Tips for Drain Holes

Similar to the space behind your fridge, your refrigerator’s drain hole is frequently overlooked.

Use a small plumbing snaking tool to clear out tough clogs. Next, pour some spoonfuls of baking soda down the drain, then add some vinegar to create a fizzing solution to break up the blockage.

Use a natural multipurpose cleaner of equal parts vinegar and warm water to clean around the drains once you’re finished.

The Space Around Your Fridge

Are too many dust bunnies congregating underneath (and around) your fridge?

These dust bunnies contain harmful agents that contaminate food.

Keep the surrounding areas of your refrigerator clean with a microfiber duster or cloth. You’ll likely need a scrub brush and a baking soda paste to remove caked-on grime from the kitchen floor underneath the fridge.

Clean Your Refrigerator Today for Peace of Mind

Keeping a clean refrigerator is one thing you can do to prevent food contamination and keep a healthy, happy kitchen. Prevent issues before they start with these essential refrigerator cleaning tips.

Is your life getting even busier?

You don’t have to take on your cleaning responsibilities alone!

Let Lemon Blossom Cleaning help you with all your household cleaning needs.

Contact us today to get a quote.