Cleaning your refrigerator is an important task to keep your food fresh and your kitchen hygienic. Here are some tips on how to clean your refrigerator effectively:
Step 1: Empty the Refrigerator
Before you begin cleaning, empty the refrigerator of all food and items. This will make it easier to clean and will also allow you to throw away any expired or spoiled food.
Step 2: Clean the Shelves and Drawers
Remove the shelves and drawers from the refrigerator and wash them in warm, soapy water. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel. If the shelves and drawers are particularly dirty, you can also use a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water to clean them.
Step 3: Clean the Interior
Wipe down the interior of the refrigerator with a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water. This will help to remove any dirt and grime, as well as any lingering odors. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces, including the door seals, gaskets, and corners.
Step 4: Clean the Exterior
Wipe down the exterior of the refrigerator with a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water. This will help to remove any dirt and grime, as well as any lingering odors. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces, including the door seals, gaskets, and corners.
Step 5: Restock the Refrigerator
Once you’ve finished cleaning, restock the refrigerator with your food and items. Be sure to organize the food in a way that makes it easy to find and use.
Step 6: Maintenance
To keep your refrigerator clean, try to make it a habit to clean it on a regular basis, such as once a month. This will help to prevent buildup of dirt, grime and odors. Also, make sure to regularly check the expiration dates of the food, and discard any expired or spoiled food to keep your refrigerator clean and hygienic.
Cleaning your refrigerator may seem like a daunting task, but by following these steps and making it a regular habit, you can easily keep your refrigerator clean and hygienic. This will not only help to keep your food fresh, but it will also make your kitchen a more pleasant place to cook and eat. Don’t want to clean your own fridge? You can always hire a house cleaning company and have it added as an add on!
Additional Tips:
Before cleaning, make sure to unplug the refrigerator to avoid any electrical hazards.
Use a soft cloth or sponge when cleaning to avoid scratching the surface of the refrigerator.
Use a mild detergent or dish soap to clean the interior and exterior of the refrigerator.
For tough stains or spills, use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to wipe down the affected area.
Clean the condenser coils located at the back or bottom of the refrigerator with a brush or vacuum cleaner to improve the
efficiency of your refrigerator.
Clean the gasket (rubber seal) around the door to ensure a tight seal and prevent energy loss.
To remove any lingering odors, place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator or use a natural odor absorber like activated charcoal or coffee grounds.
Keep the refrigerator organized by using bins, trays, and shelving to make it easy to find and use the food.
When cleaning the interior and exterior of the refrigerator, pay special attention to areas where spills or stains are likely to occur, such as door seals, gaskets, and corners, as well as the door handles, knobs, and exterior surface, as these are the areas that often accumulate the most dirt and grime.
If your refrigerator has a water dispenser or ice maker, be sure to clean them as well. Use a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water to clean the dispenser and the inside of the ice maker, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Regular cleaning of the refrigerator can also help you identify any potential problems, such as leaks, broken or worn parts, or malfunctioning temperature control, which can be addressed before they cause serious damage or costly repairs.
Keep your refrigerator at the right temperature: The recommended temperature for refrigerators is between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer. This will help to keep your food fresh and safe, while also preventing mold, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms from growing.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to read the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance of your refrigerator, as different models and brands may have specific requirements or recommendations.
With these tips, you can effectively and efficiently clean your refrigerator, ensuring that your food stays fresh and your kitchen stays hygienic. Regular cleaning also helps prolong the life of your refrigerator, saving you money and hassle in the long run.
So here are some of the best possible ways of organizing your cabinet drawers to make them more functional;
#1 Install sink drawers that tip out
If you truly need all the spaces you can get then you need sink drawers that tip out because they are more convenient, and also give you more inner spaces to store some kitchen tools.
#2: Add a pocket organizer
One of the best possible ways of organizing your under sink storage space, is to add a pocket organizer.
This will even be easier if you have some sewing skills but if you don’t, then you can get an over-the-door shoe organizer to perform the same tasks.
Pocket organizers can help you keep extra kitchen tools (especially smaller or tinnier ones.
#3: Add command hooks plus a small basket to the vertical space under your cabinet
One of the best possible ways to utilize your vertical kitchen space is to install command hooks and baskets that can hold some kitchen accessories.
You may want to add some vertical spaces to your horizontal kitchen drawers if you don’t have them already.
#4: Invest in a rolling-shelf option
Pantry organization doesn’t have to be in a traditional way, hence you can invest in smaller rolling kitchen drawer organizers that simply roll out when you open the cabinet.
You can easily find lots of pre-made rolling cabinets or get a handyman to help you build a customized one.
#5: Buy an over-the-sink shelf
One of the best possible ways of creating an extra counter space on top of your kitchen sink is to get a small shelf over it – it makes it very convenient to retrieve some kitchen tools and you wouldn’t have to open drawers all the time.
#6: Utilize those bare sides of the cabinets
Instead of leaving them bare, why not install hooks to those bare sides (especially those facing your sinks) and hang some of your kitchen utensils on them?
#7: Hang a rail over your sink
If there is sufficient space above the sink, you can simply hang a rail from the ceiling and hang some of your kitchen utensils there.
#8: Hang corkboards on the inside of your kitchen’s cabinet doors
One of the best possible ways of staying organized and making use of every bit of space is to install corkboards especially on the side of the cabinet door, it helps you organize those long plastic and metal spoons and bowls easily.
#9: Create a magnetic spice rack
You may want to consider hanging a sheet of magnetic tin inside your kitchen cabinets just to create a rack for your spices.
The magnet must be strong enough to hold some pieces of metal in place. Magnetic racks are quite common on refrigerator doors and the back, but nothing should stop you from using them to organize your pantry cabinet
#10: Make use of screw hooks in awkward corners of the cabinet
No matter how good you are in organizing your kitchen cabinets, there are some difficult corners that can prove difficult to use for storage, your best bet is to make use of screw hooks to turn such awkward corners into pot racks and for some other kitchen cabinet organizers.
#11: Make use of the Lazy Suzan cabinet
This is one of the best newest kitchen cabinet organizers that can help you optimize those awkward spaces that prove very difficult to use. Installing the lazy Susan cabinet will make difficult spaces more accessible.
#12: Add more shelves on top of existing shelves
Sometimes, the best way to provide more space for your kitchen gadgets is to add more space on top of existing spaces.
It is very important to make use of all vertical spaces if you want to stay organized.
Similarly, you should consider adding more shelves to your shelves if you want to create more vertical spaces and stay organized.
#13: Make use of pan dividers
One of the best possible ways of finding your pans more easily and get them organized is to stack them with the aid of pan dividers.
#14: Make use of a dividing file rack to organize lighter items easily
One of the easiest ways of organizing items such as baking sheets as well as your cooling racks is through the use of file racks. File rack helps to store and organize items in a vertical way.
#15: Make use of a table that can fold into the wall
Foldable tables are like foldable cabinets that occupy no space at all. If you can find this item customized for you then it will be a great addition to your kitchen organizers.
#16: Get a kitchen cart
If you have sufficient space in your kitchen, you can organize your kitchen much better with the addition of a cart.
A kitchen cart can serve multiple purposes, for instance, it can work as an extra counter, or simply as an extended storage area or probably a temporary bar for entertaining your friends and family.
#17: install a pegboard wall organizer
Perhaps one of the best ways to show your creativity is to create a pegboard by yourself and install it as a wall organizer in your kitchen. With a pegboard, you can easily keep all manner, sizes, and shapes of kitchen gadgets and get them whenever you want to use them.
If you can’t make a pegboard by yourself, then you can get ready-made ones at an affordable price from a nearby store.
In conclusion, kitchen organization don’t have to be costly and you don’t need to move into a new home to start over.
It is all about being creative with what you have and adding some more functional options to the kitchen cabinets.
The addition of functional storage features such as a narrow rolling cart can do a lot to help you stay organized.
