Tips to Clean Your Freezer or Fridge
There are few people out there that actually enjoy cleaning out their freezer or fridge. While some cleaning maniacs like that sort of thing, the rest of us dread it like the plague. The truth is, this is one of the easier cleaning jobs we have to do in our homes. What seems like a nasty process is really just a problem with procrastination. If we stay on top of it, the cleaning is super easy. Here is a weekly method that will keep us on cruise control when it comes to cleaning out a fridge or freezer:
Take everything out first
You can do that method where you slide things from one side to the other, but all you really are doing is transferring germs and double working. Go ahead and pull it all out. If you put your hands on each item and remove it, you will be much less likely to place it back in if it is no longer viable human food. Cleaning will be easier as well.
Feel good about tossing bad stuff
As you throw out stuff that is no longer good, remind yourself that keeping food for far too long is a bad habit. Stick to holding things that you will actually use. Some folks stick every single leftover in the fridge and then never use any of them. Resist the urge to do this and keep only what you will use. Throw it out as you clean each week when it is past it's prime. Your stomach will thank you later.
Look for nasty containers
Have you truly looked at your ketchup bottle? What about the barbecue sauce? If you are like most folks, there are plenty of items that need a good wipe down at the least. Go ahead and do this as you pull them out or as you put them back in. Regardless, never put in something dirty once you have cleaned.
Use a clean, warm rag to do your initial wipe down
This is going to take the majority of grime away right out the gate. Fridges and freezers generally are easy to wipe down. This becomes more true if you do it on a regular basis. There will be some stains and things to work on left, but don't worry about that just yet. It will be taken care of in the next steps. Just wipe it down well one quick time.
Embrace the vinegar solution
Make a spray bottle of vinegar to clean your fridge and freezer with. This can be pure vinegar if you don't mind the smell or equal parts water and vinegar. Vinegar alone will clean quite powerfully, so using it alone is popular. Spray down the inside of the freezer or fridge and let it set for a bit. Usually around five minutes will do. Then wipe it all down with a dry, clean cloth.
Reorganize
An organized fridge is much more likely to stay clean than a messy one. Put things that belong together in one place. Use the crisper to keep your veggies fresh. Keep meats separate from other foods so that you don't cross-contaminate your foods. Fridges have these various compartments for a reason...use them properly.
All of these things will keep your freezer and fridge really easy to keep up. If you stay on top of it and do this once per week, you will never have to spend more than a couple of minutes on it. Best of all, your food will always be fresh and ready to eat!
There are few people out there that actually enjoy cleaning out their freezer or fridge. While some cleaning maniacs like that sort of thing, the rest of us dread it like the plague. The truth is, this is one of the easier cleaning jobs we have to do in our homes. What seems like a nasty process is really just a problem with procrastination. If we stay on top of it, the cleaning is super easy. Here is a weekly method that will keep us on cruise control when it comes to cleaning out a fridge or freezer:
Take everything out first
You can do that method where you slide things from one side to the other, but all you really are doing is transferring germs and double working. Go ahead and pull it all out. If you put your hands on each item and remove it, you will be much less likely to place it back in if it is no longer viable human food. Cleaning will be easier as well.
Feel good about tossing bad stuff
As you throw out stuff that is no longer good, remind yourself that keeping food for far too long is a bad habit. Stick to holding things that you will actually use. Some folks stick every single leftover in the fridge and then never use any of them. Resist the urge to do this and keep only what you will use. Throw it out as you clean each week when it is past it's prime. Your stomach will thank you later.
Look for nasty containers
Have you truly looked at your ketchup bottle? What about the barbecue sauce? If you are like most folks, there are plenty of items that need a good wipe down at the least. Go ahead and do this as you pull them out or as you put them back in. Regardless, never put in something dirty once you have cleaned.
Use a clean, warm rag to do your initial wipe down
This is going to take the majority of grime away right out the gate. Fridges and freezers generally are easy to wipe down. This becomes more true if you do it on a regular basis. There will be some stains and things to work on left, but don't worry about that just yet. It will be taken care of in the next steps. Just wipe it down well one quick time.
Embrace the vinegar solution
Make a spray bottle of vinegar to clean your fridge and freezer with. This can be pure vinegar if you don't mind the smell or equal parts water and vinegar. Vinegar alone will clean quite powerfully, so using it alone is popular. Spray down the inside of the freezer or fridge and let it set for a bit. Usually around five minutes will do. Then wipe it all down with a dry, clean cloth.
Reorganize
An organized fridge is much more likely to stay clean than a messy one. Put things that belong together in one place. Use the crisper to keep your veggies fresh. Keep meats separate from other foods so that you don't cross-contaminate your foods. Fridges have these various compartments for a reason...use them properly.
All of these things will keep your freezer and fridge really easy to keep up. If you stay on top of it and do this once per week, you will never have to spend more than a couple of minutes on it. Best of all, your food will always be fresh and ready to eat!
Comments
Post a Comment