Inside the Refrigerator Another space you should clean monthly is the inside of your refrigerator. “Take some time every month to clean everything out of the fridge, wipe it all down, and check the expiration dates on everything before putting anything back in.”
While there is no standard for how often to clean a refrigerator, a complete cleaning every couple of months will help to prevent food spoilage and cross-contamination of Listeria , a bacterium that causes foodborne illness and that can survive at 40º F.
You can clean your fridge with a solution of warm water with a mild detergent or a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar. You can use this solution to clean the interiors. Pay special attention to areas where spills or stains are present. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub away any residue.
If a fridge is dirty or food is left in the fridge too long, germs can multiply to dangerous levels and potentially make you ill. There have been many cases of dirty fridges causing serious illnesses such as Norovirus or Shigella.
How Often to Clean -- Inspect your appliance regularly and clean your coils at least once per year. This is critical because if the coils are not cleaned, they have a difficult time releasing heat. When this happens the compressor has to work harder than it should, which overworks the appliance.
In refrigeration cases, a dirty clogged condenser coil restricts airflow and makes the system work harder and longer, leading to early failure. In addition, the unit consumes more electricity to maintain optimal food safety temperatures. Food service equipment can be energy intensive and neglect can be costly.
Refrigerator maintenance is the regular cleaning and checking of your refrigerator to ensure that it is working properly. This includes cleaning the shelves and coils, defrosting the unit, and checking the seals and gaskets for leaks.
Other deodorizing items you can leave inside your refrigerator are a tray of fresh coffee grounds, a tray of activated charcoal or a pan of clean, unscented cat litter. If these prove ineffective, after you deep clean the fridge, leave the fridge empty and the door open overnight.
Though it depends on how frequently you use your microwave, a good rule of thumb is to clean your microwave about once a week. Frequent cleaning helps prevent messes from getting caked on and makes each wipe down that much easier. Be sure to clean your microwave immediately after any large spills or splatters occur.
While Clorox wipes are convenient for general cleaning, they're not recommended for cleaning the inside of a Whirlpool refrigerator. The chemicals in these wipes can linger and potentially contaminate your food. Instead, use a natural and safe cleaning solution: a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water.
Cleaning Inside of a Refrigerator
Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon of hot water: 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup baking soda. Pour into a spray bottle, or use from a bowl with a sponge. This no-rinse formula is a degreaser that prevents mold and mildew.
Wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with hot, soapy water, then wipe with clean water to rinse off soap. Dry with a clean towel. DON'T FORGET TO WIPE INSIDE THE DOORS AND ANY DRAWERS THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED. USE A SOLUTION OF 1 TABLESPOON OF LIQUID BLEACH IN 1 GALLON OF WATER TO SANITIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR.
To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most.
The answer is that you can't really clean your toilet too much, but Lysol® recommends you clean your toilet weekly. What to use to clean a toilet? Before you tackle the task, make sure you have everything you need to clean a toilet with: A toilet brush.
In addition to weekly maintenance, you should deep clean your fridge every three months.
Place Ice Packs on Shelves to Absorb Moisture
Well, here's a little tip that might help prevent it from happening. Try placing ice packs on the shelves to absorb the moisture. Mold thrives in moist environments, so by reducing the moisture on your shelves, you'll be reducing the likelihood of mold growth.
Safe refrigerator tips
Divide leftovers into small, shallow containers for quick cooling in the refrigerator. Cover when food is cooled. Don't overload the refrigerator. Cool air must circulate to keep food safe.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
The three most common reasons for failures that we see as a result of wear & tear are a mechanically locked compressor, failure of the fan motor, and dirty condenser coils. The refrigerator's compressor is the heart of the cooling system; without a working compressor the refrigerator cannot function.
Your outside condenser coil should be cleaned at least once a year, especially here in the Westwood area, where we rely on our air conditioners for months at a time. Fortunately, condenser coil cleaning is a standard part of air conditioner preventive maintenance at Suburban HVAC.