The refrigerator is probably the single most beloved and important appliance in your home. You can wash laundry and do dishes by hand, while a fireplace can serve as a good replacement for the stove. But even a root cellar can’t fully replace your refrigeration. However, despite all the love they get, it’s also incredibly common to neglect deep cleaning your refrigerator.
Maybe it’s because, unlike most other appliances, your refrigerator does the job without any help from you. As long as you keep the door closed and the cord plugged in, your fridge will keep working no matter how grimy it is. However, the problem is that if you don’t hire home cleaning services in Lantana, TX to deep clean your fridge from time to time, you’re risking e-coli and other food-borne illnesses making it into your food.
In today’s post, we outline a 6-step deep cleaning guide to eliminate all traces of dirt and introduce freshness while making the whole process easier and faster.
What is the best way to deep clean a refrigerator?
Who says that the best way has to take so much of your time or energy? When you have a clear plan that’s been tried and tested before, it’s best to take it one step at a time and just follow the procedure. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Empty out the fridge
This is really important. You need to empty everything out of your fridge before you can deep clean it because a little bit of gunk on the bottom of one container can spread germs everywhere.
Pile up fresh food in one area and leftovers in another, and put your jars and bottles in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Cleaning everything out includes taking out all of the shelves and drawers. They should be empty since you’re going to clean them too.
2. Soak the shelves & drawers
The next step is to submerge the shelves and drawers in soapy water. If you have a big utility sink in your house, that’s the perfect place to soak the removable shelving. Even your bathtub, assuming it’s relatively clean, can get the job done. When you’re deep cleaning your fridge, the goal is more than surface cleaning.
You also want to get rid of germs and bacteria that are living in your fridge. Soak the shelves and drawers in lukewarm soapy water for about 30 minutes before you start scrubbing. It will make the job much easier.
3. Time to scour
Our professionals usually scour the interior of the fridge before dealing with leftovers and other food containers since that gives the interior some time to dry. Pick a good cleaner for this part. It can be regular dish soap or a homemade one containing vinegar or lemon juice. Try to avoid soaps and cleaners that are likely to leave a flavor or scent behind.
Keep in mind that bleach-based cleaners aren’t the best choice since the bleach scent will linger on and alter the flavor of the food in your fridge. Scour every surface remaining in your fridge. You can also use this opportunity to defrost your fridge if needed.
4. Deal with the food scraps
The next thing is dealing with your leftovers and other food. Check all your leftovers. If they’re starting to go, toss them or send them down your disposal. If they’re good, wipe the bottom of the container with a wet cloth or sponge to get rid of any sticky residue. Check condiment bottles and any duplicate foods. If you have duplicates, try to combine them in one container.
5. Wash, dry & reassemble
By this point, you’ve probably left your fridge shelving and drawers soaking for long enough. Give them a thorough scrub to make sure you’ve removed all the sticky patches, food particles, and other debris from the plastic. Dry the shelves and drawers before you put them back in the fridge. That way you won’t have to worry about them being wet when you start putting food away.
6. Put your food away
The very last step of deep cleaning your fridge is putting away the food you kept during step 4. It’s a great time to reorganize so that the things you use most often are easy to get to. This step shouldn’t take too long. It’s okay if you decide to get rid of some things you kept in step 4, just try to make sure you’ve got enough food for a couple of meals after you’re done!
How can I reach the leading home cleaning services in Lantana, TX & the surrounding areas?
If you live close to E.P. Rayzor Elementary School, in the upper half of the community, or anywhere in the vicinity, there is one premium cleaning service to solve all your housekeeping needs—Rag Mops.
We utilize top-notch equipment, stringently vet all our cleaners, and demand consistency on every task we undertake. Whether you need help deep cleaning a fridge, making sure that your oven is dirt-free, removing ugly scuff marks from your walls, or taking care of any other part of your home, we’re primed and ready to show you what professional cleaners can do for you. Just pick the time and date and we’ll quickly get down to the nitty-gritty and take the dirt away. Get in touch with us today!