How to Thoroughly Clean Out a Refrigerator

Cleaning out a refrigerator is not always an easy task, but it is a necessary one. The refrigerator takes a lot from us. We spill stuff in it, we leave expired food in it and we usually do not clean it out when we should. Cleaning a refrigerator is important because most of what we eat comes from the refrigerator. Expired food can contaminate other food and spoiled food will cause the refrigerator to have an unpleasant odor. You should clean out your refrigerator on a monthly basis and on a weekly basis make sure that all the food in it is okay to eat and has not spoiled. Whenever something is spilled in the refrigerator, make sure to clean it up as soon as possible to prevent the spill from crystallizing and becoming more of a mess to clean. Here are some easy tips on cleaning out your refrigerator thoroughly.

1. Remove all the food from the refrigerator. You will need a cooler or chest with ice for the food that is still good. Place any expired or spoiled food in the garbage or any food that you know will not be eaten.

2. Remove all the shelves and drawers from the refrigerator. Anything made of metal or plastic can be washed right away with hot water and a mild detergent. Be careful with anything that is glass because it may break if you put it in too hot of water right away. It needs to be warmed up to room temperature before you wash it.

3. Fill a bucket with warm water and a mild detergent. You will also need a clean cloth to clean out the refrigerator. Work from the top of the refrigerator and work your way down to the bottom. Makes sure you are scrubbing the entire surface of the refrigerator and cleaning away any spills or stains. Pay special attention to any cracks or crevices were mold may grow and make sure you clean these out especially good. You can also use an old toothbrush to clean these areas. Make sure that you also clean the interior door area and drawers.

4. Using another dry clean cloth or towel, dry the entire interior surface of the refrigerator.

5. Once everything is dry, replace the shelving and drawers into the refrigerator.

6. Replace the food back into the refrigerator. Take a look at the food you are placing back in. Wipe any jars or boxes down that may have food or spills on them to prevent the refrigerator from getting dirty again. Make sure they are dry before you place them back into the refrigerator.

7. Since you are already in cleaning mode, you might as well clean the outside of the refrigerator as well. Start from the top and wipe down the surface with warm water and a mild detergent just like you did the inside. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, make sure you have a non-scratching cloth to clean it with.

8. You can also clean out your freezer using the same steps as cleaning out your refrigerator. You might as well make the whole thing clean!