There are some cleaning jobs that are regular – washing up the dishes, for example – and other jobs that are more occasional.
Cleaning the refrigerator comes under the category of occasional, but how often is occasional – particularly when it comes to a domestic item that has a key role in your family’s health and safety?
Of course, that is a subjective question. In a busy household where family members are opening and closing the refrigerator all the time then cleaning requirements are greater than in a bachelor household where the fridge is used solely for the storage of beers (we hope we are not stereotyping bachelors here!).
In general though, it is a good idea to aim for cleaning the fridge once a week. Here’s how to do it:
- Remove all the food from the fridge, take out the shelves and wash them in warm soapy water.
- Use warm, soapy water to clean the interior of the fridge. Bicarbonate of soda will help shift stains (mix with water to make a paste). Remember to rinse well and dry everything.
- If your fridge smells, soak a cotton wool ball or sponge in lemon juice and store in the fridge for several hours.
- Use a white wine or cider vinegar solution to clean the stainless steel elements of your fridge.
- Clean the door seals, as they can harbour germs, dirt and food debris. Clean with a sponge or cloth and soapy water and dry thoroughly.
- DO NOT use bleach or household disinfectants inside your fridge, as traces will end up in your food.
- Make sure all of your leftovers and food are stored in airtight, clean containers as this is the best way to maintain fridge hygiene.
In general, you should keep an eye on everything in the fridge – throwing out items that have gone past their use-by date or have turned moldy. It’s easy to forget opened jars of sauces and condiments, but keep a regular check on them.
Clean spills as soon as they happen because they will contaminate other things in the food and result in bad smells.
Here at Budget Maids we provide cleaning services in Columbia, a maid service in Arlington or cleaning services in Oakton, Reston, Vienna and a host of other places. Why not give us a call today and let us help you with all your cleaning needs?
Pic thanks to Flickr.
