Having a fresh, clean fridge makes a big difference in your home. Not only does it help keep your food tasting great, but it also helps prevent unhealthy bacteria from building up. That’s why doing a weekly fridge clean is so important. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your fridge in tip-top shape.
Why You Should Clean Your Fridge Weekly
There are a few key reasons why a weekly fridge clean is essential:
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Prevents bacteria buildup – Leftover food particles and spills provide a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. Regular cleaning removes these contaminants before they can make you sick.
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Extends food freshness – A clean fridge helps maintain low, even temperatures and proper air circulation. This keeps food chilled and fresh for longer.
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Removes odors – Old, stinky spills can make your whole fridge reek. A weekly wipe-down eliminates odors.
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Improves organization – Cleaning gives you a chance to toss expired items, consolidate containers and rearrange shelves. An organized fridge makes it easier to find what you need.
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Enhances appearance – A sparkling clean fridge looks far more appealing than one with sticky shelves and messy drawers. It makes cooking and eating at home more enjoyable.
Regularly cleaning the fridge prevents problems from developing and makes the space much more pleasant to use. It only takes 30 minutes or less each week too.
How Often You Should Clean the Fridge
For most households, a weekly fridge clean is ideal. Here’s why this frequency works well:
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Prevents heavy buildup – Wiping spills and removing old food before it decomposes prevents deep-set grime.
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Manages workload – A weekly schedule is frequent enough to avoid big messes but not so often it feels like a burden.
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Allows thorough cleaning – With a weekly routine, you have time to fully clear out and sanitize the fridge without rushing.
Of course, tailor the schedule to your needs. Those with kids or frequent grocery shopping may need to clean more than once a week. Just listen to your fridge – if odors or visible grime start developing before your next scheduled clean, move it up a few days.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning the Fridge
Follow this simple step-by-step process for a sparkling clean fridge:
1. Remove All Food and Shelving
Take everything out so you can fully access all surfaces. Place perishables in a cooler to keep chilled.
2. Check Expiration Dates
As you remove items, check expiration dates and toss anything expired. This prevents forgotten food from rotting.
3. Clear Out the Clutter
Get rid of any other unwanted items like old condiment jars or leftover takeout containers. Decluttering makes cleaning easier.
4. Clean Shelving and Drawers
Wash removable glass and plastic shelves, crisper drawers and bins in hot, soapy water. Use a scrub brush on stuck-on spills. Rinse and dry completely.
5. Wipe Interior Surfaces
Use a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner or baking soda paste to wipe down the walls, floors and inside of the doors. Get into crevices with a cleaning toothbrush.
6. Disinfect with a Vinegar Solution
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Mist over all surfaces and wipe away grime and bacteria. Let air dry.
7. Replace Food and Shelving
Put back drawers, shelves and food items in an organized way. Toss old containers and keep similar items together.
8. Give Door Seals a Thorough Cleaning
Use a toothbrush and warm, soapy water to scrub the rubber seals around the doors. Rinse thoroughly. This prevents mold growth.
And that’s it – follow these steps weekly and you’ll maintain a fresh, clean fridge interior.
Equipment and Supplies to Have on Hand
Having the right gear makes fridge cleaning much easier:
- All-purpose cleaner or baking soda – For safe, effective cleaning of all surfaces
- Disinfectant like white vinegar – Kills bacteria for added safety
- Scrub brushes – For scrubbing stuck-on spills and gunk
- Microfiber cloths – For wiping down shelves, walls and drawers
- Toothbrush – For getting into small crevices and cleaning door seals
- Trash bags – For discarded food and clutter
- Vacuum with crevice tool – For removing dust from condenser coils
It also helps to use organizer bins, fridge caddies and storage containers to neatly arrange the fridge interior.
When to Give the Fridge a Deep Clean
For routine weekly cleans, focus on wiping surfaces, removing spoiled food and disinfecting. But twice per year, give the fridge a deep clean:
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Empty everything – Remove all food and shelves so you can fully access the interior.
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Clean condenser coils – Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to remove dust from the condenser coils, which are usually located along the back of the fridge. This improves airflow.
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wash interior by hand – Use hot, soapy water to scrub interior surfaces, crevices, bins and shelves by hand. This removes the deepest grime a weekly wipe down can miss.
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Disinfect with bleach – Sanitize with a diluted bleach solution using 1 tablespoon bleach per 1 quart water. This kills any lingering bacteria.
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Freshen it up – Place a charcoal air purifying bag or open box of baking soda inside for a few days to absorb funky odors.
This intensive cleaning refresh keeps the fridge in tiptop shape.
Make Weekly Cleaning Easier
Cleaning out an entire fridge weekly sounds daunting. But there are a few tips to make the process faster and easier:
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Choose an easy day – Do it on a weekday evening when you have time vs. rushed weekend.
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De-clutter often – Don’t let excess containers and leftovers accumulate. Toss or consolidate as you go.
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Attack spills quickly – Clean messes right away so they don’t become crusted on and need heavy scrubbing later.
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Organize efficiently – Keep similar items together so you don’t have to move everything to wipe shelves.
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Involve the family – Have kids help toss expired food and wipe down low shelves. Make it a shared task.
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Create a checklist – Write down all the cleaning steps and post it inside the fridge door so you don’t forget anything.
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Make a game of it – Challenge family members to see who can fully clean their shelf first. Or play music to pass the time.
The weekly fridge clean becomes quick and painless once you get into a solid routine. In no time, you’ll have a fresh, organized fridge interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of fridge odors?
Baking soda works great for absorbing funky smells. Leave an open box inside for 24 hours. For stubborn odors, make a baking soda paste with water and scrub the interior.
What’s the best fridge cleaning schedule?
Aim to clean the fridge interior at least once per week. For those with kids or frequent grocery runs, twice a week may work better. Listen to your fridge and adjust as needed.
How should you clean the fridge condenser coils?
Use the crevice attachment on your vacuum to gently remove dust buildup from coils. Clean every 6 months for best refrigerator efficiency.
What should you not put in the fridge?
Avoid storing potatoes and onions in the fridge, which can become soft and mealy. Keep tropical fruit like pineapple, mangos and bananas on the counter.
How long does it take to clean a fridge?
Plan for a weekly fridge clean to take about 30 minutes start to finish. Occasional deeper cleans may take 45 minutes to fully wash and disinfect the interior.
Keeping up with a weekly fridge clean makes a huge difference in food freshness and preventing unhealthy bacteria. Follow the steps outlined here to make quick work of this essential kitchen chore. In no time, you’ll have a sparkling, great-smelling fridge interior ready to store all your favorite foods.
