Beware of Hidden Fridge Spills!
Every spring, people scrub their bathrooms, wipe down baseboards, and wash windows they haven't touched since last year. The refrigerator gets a quick shelf wipe and a toss of any expired items, and then the door closes again. That's usually where the trouble hides.
Out of sight, out of mind
The spills you know about aren't the problem. It's the ones that crept under the crisper drawers, dried against the back wall behind a condiment jar, or pooled beneath the deli tray six months ago that deserve your attention. Bacteria thrive in those pockets. Old spills from meat, juice, or dairy don't just smell bad. They can cross-contaminate fresh food. A fridge that looks clean on the surface can be working against you.
Pull everything out—all of itThe only way to clean a refrigerator is to empty it completely. Not just the shelves you can see easily, but the door bins, the drawers, and anything tucked into the back corners. Set food in a cooler with ice. Remove every shelf and drawer that detach, and let them come to room temperature before you wash them. Glass shelves can crack in hot water if they're straight from the cold.
While those pieces soak in warm, soapy water in the sink, wipe down the interior with a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda per quart of warm water. It cleans without leaving a chemical taste or smell behind, and it neutralizes odors rather than masking them. Pay close attention to the back wall, the ceiling of each compartment, and the rubber door gasket. That accordion-style seal collects grime in every fold and rarely gets cleaned.
Pull the refrigerator away from the wall at least once a year. The coils on the back or underneath collect dust, and a heavy buildup makes the unit work harder and run hotter, which affects food safety.
When a deep clean is overdue
If it's been more than a year since the refrigerator was thoroughly cleaned—or if you're dealing with a persistent odor, visible mold, or a significant spill from raw protein—a professional cleaning service can handle it as part of a larger kitchen or whole-home deep clean.
For any specialty cleaning chores, such as carpet or upholstery cleaning, do the right thing and call your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
Every spring, people scrub their bathrooms, wipe down baseboards, and wash windows they haven't touched since last year. The refrigerator gets a quick shelf wipe and a toss of any expired items, and then the door closes again. That's usually where the trouble hides.
Out of sight, out of mind
The spills you know about aren't the problem. It's the ones that crept under the crisper drawers, dried against the back wall behind a condiment jar, or pooled beneath the deli tray six months ago that deserve your attention. Bacteria thrive in those pockets. Old spills from meat, juice, or dairy don't just smell bad. They can cross-contaminate fresh food. A fridge that looks clean on the surface can be working against you.
Pull everything out—all of itThe only way to clean a refrigerator is to empty it completely. Not just the shelves you can see easily, but the door bins, the drawers, and anything tucked into the back corners. Set food in a cooler with ice. Remove every shelf and drawer that detach, and let them come to room temperature before you wash them. Glass shelves can crack in hot water if they're straight from the cold.
While those pieces soak in warm, soapy water in the sink, wipe down the interior with a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda per quart of warm water. It cleans without leaving a chemical taste or smell behind, and it neutralizes odors rather than masking them. Pay close attention to the back wall, the ceiling of each compartment, and the rubber door gasket. That accordion-style seal collects grime in every fold and rarely gets cleaned.
Pull the refrigerator away from the wall at least once a year. The coils on the back or underneath collect dust, and a heavy buildup makes the unit work harder and run hotter, which affects food safety.
When a deep clean is overdue
If it's been more than a year since the refrigerator was thoroughly cleaned—or if you're dealing with a persistent odor, visible mold, or a significant spill from raw protein—a professional cleaning service can handle it as part of a larger kitchen or whole-home deep clean.
For any specialty cleaning chores, such as carpet or upholstery cleaning, do the right thing and call your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
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