For cooking enthusiasts, a dirty and unkempt fridge can put a dampener on the joy of creating culinary delights. From accidental spills to the unpleasant aftermath of spoiled food, maintaining a clean refrigerator requires diligence. Thankfully, the solution lies within your reach, with the help of reliable house cleaners‘ go-to secret: white vinegar. In this article, we unveil a foolproof method that will effortlessly refresh and rejuvenate your fridge, ensuring a hygienic and inviting environment for your ingredients.
Why should I use vinegar?
Sure, a store-bought solution might do the trick. However, how comfortable would you be with chemicals near your food?
White vinegar is a natural product and leaves no trace after it dries. Not only that, but if you’ve used vinegar before, you know how much of an excellent odor remover this product can be—vinegar itself might smell at first, but the odor won’t stay long after you’re done cleaning.
How to clean your refrigerator using vinegar
This method will help you remove bad smells, and without any obstructions, you will also take care of any pesky spills and grime. You’ll need the following:
- A sponge or microfiber cloth
- A spray bottle
- White vinegar
- A cooler (optional but recommended)
Step 1. Unplug and empty the fridge
If you want to do this task calmly, avoid wasting power and unplug the fridge. And what about the food? Since you’ll be taking care of any spills, you must take everything outside.
Take this moment to wipe any jar or container with a damp cloth and store anything perishable inside the cooler. Also, take out any racks and drawers to either wash them by hand or add them to your dishwasher on a gentle cycle.
Now with everything out of the way, you can clean the fridge.
Step 2. Prepare your cleaning solution
It’s time to deploy the vinegar! For this cleaning agent, fill a spray bottle with one part white vinegar and three parts water (warm if possible). Just like that! This solution will be more than enough for the rest of the process.
Pro tip: If the vinegar smell bothers you, use a facemask throughout the process.
Step 3. Clean the inside of the fridge
Spray your solution over the walls and on the shelves; just be careful not to spray any openings like vents or any electrical component. Then, wipe the surfaces clean with a sponge or a soft cloth.
Of course, you might run into hardened jam or ketchup. Sprinkle a little baking soda on those spots and apply some elbow grease. Also, for those hard-to-reach spots, you can use a used toothbrush to scrub them!
Now, wait thirty minutes for the vinegar to dissipate. Put everything back inside and plug the fridge back in. Fresh again!
Extra: Don’t forget to clean the outside too!
The door handles on the fridge are probably grimy from clean (and not so clean) hands! So, wipe outside the refrigerator using your vinegar solution and a cloth. However, if you have a nice-looking stainless steel finish, use soapy water, scrub in the direction of the grain and rinse with a clean damp cloth.
Fridge? Done. What about the rest of the house?
Once your fridge is all clean, you’ll want to ensure the rest of your kitchen is up to standard. Unfortunately, this can be a tall order. The good news is that CleanArte Maid Services can do something about it!
We offer top-rated residential cleaning services and cleaning extras—fridges included! Click here for your free quote.
