How to deep-clean a fridge in five simple steps
FRIDGE cleaning may be one of those tasks you find yourself putting off, but it really shouldn't be.
Although it could take some time, maintaining your fridge's cleanliness is important - here's how to do it in no time.
How to deep-clean a fridge
Cleaning your fridge is easy and cheap, and will probably not even take you long.
What you'll need before you start is some gloves for your hands, some hot soapy water, and a sponge.
You should also leave some space around the kitchen to store the food while cleaning.
Once you have all that, you're all set to start the cleaning process.
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1. Empty your fridge
The first thing to do is to empty your fridge from all the food and drinks you keep in it.
While doing so, take the opportunity to see what is still good and throw away anything which has passed its expiration date.
Try to keep the food in a spacious area in cool air so that it does not change the temperature too quickly and risk it going bad too.
You do not want to end up wasting food while cleaning your fridge.
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2. Wash shelving and drawers
After, take out all the shelves and drawers.
Rinse them with hot soapy water and clean them.
Once they're clean, rinse with cold water to wash off any soap on them.
After that simply rinse them with a dry towel or leave them outside to dry while you do the rest of the steps left.
3. Clean the inside of your fridge
Now it's time to clean the inside of your fridge.
Make sure to clean the walls and the shelving in the door.
When doing this step you should turn off your fridge so that it does not feel too cold to clean and you can do it more comfortably.
Rinse the inside with hot soapy water and then follow it through with some cold water to remove the soap.
After, either leave it to dry on its own or rinse it with a dry towel.
4. Dust the condenser coils
It is important to have the fridge unplugged during this step because you do not want to risk getting electrocuted.
The condenser coils are the metal grid that can be found on the back of the fridge.
This is what helps to turn the heat energy received by the fridge to cool air to keep food good.
So it is important that these are cleaned at least once every six months, or once a year, because the cleaner the condenser coils, the smoother the fridge runs.
If the coils are filled with dust, then they will struggle and have to work harder to help the fridge convert heat energy into cold air and you might end up having to buy a new fridge earlier than expected.
To clean the condenser coils, simply dust them, and then use a smaller brush to remove any small specks of dust that you might have missed.
5. Clean the outside
Now the inside of your fridge is clean, you can put everything back in and plug the fridge back on.
Once you get all of that sorted, do not forget the clean the outside of your fridge too.
To do so, the same applies.
Simply rinse the fridge with hot soapy water and then follow through with cold water to remove the soap.
We do not suggest leaving the outside of your fridge to dry on its own, especially because if some water drips onto the floor from it, you might risk getting someone or yourself hurt.
Rinse it with a dry towel and your fridge is all clean.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps
How to clean a freezer
The best way to clean a freezer is by using hot water and vinegar.
Start off by placing all your food in a cooler with ice, so that none of it goes bad.
Then turn off the freezer and do not worry about the food in the fridge if it is connected to it.
If you do not open your fridge door, your food will remain cool for up to four hours, and it should take you less than that to clean your freezer.
Remove the drawers from the freezer and clean them with some hot soapy water.
Just like what you did for the fridge, rinse them with the hot water, then with the cold to remove the soap, and then with a dry cloth or leave them to dry on their own.
Now it's time to clean the inside of the freezer and to do that, you have to mix equal amounts of vinegar and hot water and put them in a spraying bottle.
Spray the solution around your freezer and wipe throughout with a cloth.
This step may need to be repeated a few times because stains tend to get stuck to the freezer more since they are frozen.
Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your freezer, grab another cloth and wipe the freezer down again so that you make sure that no solution was left.
Plug your freezer back in and start sorting your food out in the drawers and place everything back as you like in your freezer.
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And there you go, in a short amount of time and no money spent, you managed to clean both your fridge and freezer.
- If your oven needs some TLC, check out Sun Selects' roundup of the best oven cleaners.