Best Ways to Clean your Refrigerator and Keep it Clean!

There is nothing quite as rewarding as having an organized and clean refrigerator. When a fridge is properly organized it makes it so much easier to navigate. Sometimes though, it just seems easier to ignore the chaos and the gunk. The sticky patch of syrup on the bottom shelf and the little pieces of dried up spinach in the vegetable drawer make you feel as though you might pull your hair out, but you don’t want to spend the time cleaning it. Instead, you just close the door and pretend it’s not there. I know I'm not the only one, so please don't judge my friends.

Occasionally, it is nice to give your whole refrigerator a good scrub down to get all the yucky stuff off. While emptying the entire fridge can seem overwhelming, it is sometimes a necessary evil. The temporary stress you will feel is far more than worth it once you can marvel at your clean fridge. Make that time spent worthwhile and keep your fridge clean longer with these easy tips.

Best Ways to Clean Your Fridge and Keep it Clean 

Tools you will need to clean your refrigerator

Vinegar {I'm a fan of this cleaning vinegar}
Dish soap
Dish Towels
Paper Towel
An old toothbrush
Microfiber cloth 

A non-abrasive sponge
Stainless steel cleaner {optional}

Step 1 – Empty the Fridge

Take all the items in your refrigerator out and place them on your counter. Make sure to throw out any old and expired items that may have been hiding at the back of the fridge, you aren’t going to want to put them back in there once it’s clean. Once you have everything out and on the counter, separate items into groups of similar items to make putting it all back easier.

Step 2 – Remove Shelves and Drawers from your refrigerator

Any parts of your fridge that can be removed, should be. Take all the shelving and produce drawers out of the refrigerator, setting them aside. 

Step 3 – Wash Shelves and Drawers

Fill your sink with warm soapy water and wash the shelving and drawers thoroughly with a sponge. If you find that your shelves and drawers are too big to be washed in your kitchen sink, you can opt to use your bath tub for this step instead. Once all grime has been removed and your shelves and drawers are cleaned, allow them to air dry. 

Step 4 – Clean the Inside

Using a solution of cleaning vinegar and water, wipe down the inside of the fridge using a soft sponge or cloth. If there is a tough spot soak it with the vinegar and water solution before trying to remove it. Wipe down all the shelving, seams and walls of the refrigerator. Take an old toothbrush dipped in the vinegar and water mixture and starting from the top, scrub down any hard to reach crevices. {why are there so many small spots in a fridge?} Use a paper towel to dry out your refrigerator once the surfaces have been cleaned. 

Step 5 – Put Shelves and Drawers Back

Once the shelving and drawers have finished air drying, carefully put them back into the refrigerator.

Step 6 – Wipe Down Contents

Before you put any of the food back in the refrigerator, make sure to give the bottles and jars a good wipe down with a damp cloth. Once cleaned, put back into the clean fridge. 

Step 7 – Wipe Down the Outside of your Refrigerator

Now that the inside of your fridge is cleaned, and all the contents have been put back in, it’s time to clean the exterior. If you have a stainless-steel refrigerator it is a good idea to use a special cleaner made specifically for that surface. If your refrigerator is not stainless, use a clean soapy cloth to give the outside a wipe down and dry right away using a paper towel. 

To Keep Your Fridge Clean

Now that your refrigerator is clean and sparkling, make sure to keep it that way. Throw out any old food items as soon as they are done, wipe down jars and containers before depositing them back into the fridge after use and clean any spills or messes right away to avoid them becoming stuck on.

Cleaning your refrigerator can seem as though it’s a daunting task. It doesn’t have to be, just make sure to follow these simple steps and your will have a beautiful, shining refrigerator in no time.

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