How To Deep Clean Foam Couch Cushions

how to clean a fridge — 5 easy steps to deep clean your fridge

Natdanai Pankong / EyeEm Getty Images

Regularly cleaning your fridge will prevent microbial growth, food spoilage and bacteria build up. Fridges can soon start to look messy and smell funny without consistent upkeep, so it's important you clean yours every few months.

'You should aim for a deep clean four times a year and when you have as little food in the fridge as possible,' says Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow.co.uk. 'Every night, wipe the fridge handles with soap and water to keep germs to a minimum. You can even create a rota for cleaning different parts of the fridge over the course of a month for interval deep cleaning.'

Wondering how to give your fridge that sparkling feel? Take a look at these five steps on how to clean a fridge...

Step 1: Empty your fridge

Start by emptying all your food from the fridge. Place everything into cool bags whilst you deep clean, including contents from drawers, doors and shelves. Sort through any expired items, especially those jars and sauces we often forget about.

'Any foods which carry a foul odour and jars which have been sitting there for a prolonged time such as jams and Nutella should be disposed of,' says Joyce.

fridge filled with fruits and vegetables

Jonathan Ross Getty Images

Step 2: Wash and rinse

Lukewarm soapy water is an effective way to clean fridge drawers, shelves and any storage boxes. Give everything a good clean using a soft cleaning sponge and place to air dry on the draining board (this reduces the risk of bacteria). Avoid using your dishwasher, as plastic can deform under a hot wash.

Joyce advises: 'With glass shelves, wait until they warm up to room temperature before washing them otherwise it can crack.'

Step 3: Clean the inside

With the shelves and drawers out, it's now time to give the inside of your fridge a deep clean. Instead of using harsh detergent sprays, mix up a natural vinegar spray using two parts water and one part white vinegar. Transfer into a spray bottle and use a microfibre cloth to target the ledges, walls, small cracks, and condensation trough.

Don't forget the base of your fridge, which can become a breeding ground for crumbs and residue build up. Joyce suggests using a plastic scrubber and toothpaste to remove any hard-to-budge stains.

hand in protective glove with rag cleaning inside of fridge in the kitchen early spring cleaning or regular clean up

MAKSIMS_LIENE Getty Images

Step 4: Dust the fridge condenser coils

Dirty condenser coils forces a fridge to work harder, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced lifespan for your appliance. To keep it running smoothly, you should clean coils every six months to a year.

First, unplug your appliance and gently dust the condenser coils (they look like a metal grid and can be found running up the back of the appliance or on the bottom). Once you have dusted them, use a separate brush to clear away any remaining dirt from the coils. Then, place back and it will look as good as new.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Step 5: Don't forget the exterior

Keep your fridge exterior sparkling clean by using a mild solution of soap and warm water. Give special attention to those areas which attract fingerprints, such as handles and ice dispensers. Ideally, this should be done around once a week to keep germs at bay.

Joyce adds: 'If your fridge is stainless steel, use professional stainless-steel cleaners and wipe in the direction of the grain and dry to prevent streaking.'

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

Kitchen accessories: 7 must-have items to buy for your kitchen

Monochrome Spattered Jug

Create a statement in your kitchen with this standout speckled jug. Crafted from fine enamelled steel, it's both stylish and practical.

Utensil Holder

gardentrading.co.uk

£25.00

Store your kitchen utensils in this beautiful marble jar. It's perfect to create a rustic, country style at home.

Self-watering herb pot

Cole & Mason johnlewis.com

£17.99

Haven't got time to water your plants? No problem! Cole & Mason's clever self-watering herb pot means you'll always have fresh ingredients whilst you cook. We recommend keeping this one on your kitchen windowsill.

Vintage 2-Slice Toaster - Blue

Ariete robertdyas.co.uk

£39.99

In a soft baby blue, this vintage style toaster from Ariete will be sure to add a playful touch to your kitchen. Featuring six levels of browning control, you can serve up your toast just as you want.

Set of 4 reusable dish clothes

Anthropologie anthropologie.com

US$18.00

Get sustainable in the kitchen this month by switching throw-away cleaning cloths for reusable ones. We love this colourful set of four from Anthropologie. They might be pricey, but they'll last for years to come.

Printed China teapot

With an angular shape and delicate floral design, this teapot is sure to brighten up your afternoon cuppa. Tea, anyone?

Emma Bridgewater Insects Ladybird Mug

Emma Bridgewater next.co.uk

£20.00

This sweet ladybird mug will get you in the mood for warmer, spring days.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io