Let's Clean out that Nasty Refrigerator - Cleaning Hints

Ready? This is one of those tasks we SHOULD (don't you just HATE that word?) be doing about once a week or so. :) I certainly haven't cleaned out MY fridge in a while, and it really needs it. So, let's make this our focus room/area of the day and get to it.

Here are some tips to help make cleaning the grungy icky fridge easier:

1. If you can - turn the fridge off while cleaning it.
2. Remember - top to bottom cleaning. That way, you'll end up with all the mess at the bottom and you'll just wipe it away and be done with it.
3. Baking soda and our Very Vinegar cleaner (about 1 part vinegar to 4 parts of water in a spray bottle; shake it up and you're good to go) are my favorite cleaners for this. Not only are they cheap as dirt, but they're non-toxic. So if a bit lingers, it won't be scary to contemplate eating that apple or pear.
4. Scrubby sponges ROCK for this task -- they help make it easier to get rid of the nasty grunge that collects, especially at the bottom.

Now, let's clean the fridge! Yay! Wahoooo! (Okay, I'm not all that excited either. :) But think of how proud we can be when we're all done. Turn on some fun music to help.)

1. Remove all items from the fridge. Yes, everything. That's the only way you can get the critter cleaned out properly, right?

2. Throw away as you go. Moldy spinach and jars of mustard you had when you were in 8th grade AREN'T cute and quirky. They're icky and must go!

3. If you can remove the shelves of the fridge, go for it. They can soak in a soapy mix in the bathtub and be dealt with at the end. If you don't have time for this step, or just can't be bothered, don't worry about it. :)

4. Saturate the entire inside of the fridge with your Very Vinegar spray and close the door of the fridge for a few minutes to let it start to de-gunk stuff from all of the fridge's surfaces. Meanwhile, wipe down the outside of the fridge, paying particular attention to the handles - a lively little germ community.

5. Open the fridge again and sprinkle a bit of baking soda on a moistened scrubby sponge. The vinegar spray will have started to loosen the mess inside and combined with the scrubby sponge action, you should be able to get that fridge sparkling clean. Rinse the sponge and wipe down. The Very Vinegar cleaning solution is also a handy shiny cleaner - you can give it another light spray inside the fridge and use a paper towel or cleaning towel to shine it up. (P.S. The baking soda also helps to deodorize.)

6. Replace the shelves (if you moved them in the first place) and turn the fridge back on. Put all the food back inside, close the door and do a dance of joy and pride for all that hard work. :) Think how shocked your family will be when they see the gleaming surfaces inside!


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