If you are like most people, cleaning out your refrigerator is not high on your list of things to do. It is easy to close the door and forget it, venturing in with a sponge and some cleaner only when there is a spill or leak. But it is an important task, not only to make things neater, but to improve the safety and health of your family's food.
Begin by turning the temperature-control knob to off and then emptying your refrigerator completely. Toss any expired food and condiments by checking for the sell-by dates on the products. If you have anything that is still within its dates, but has been opened for a considerable amount of time, toss that as well. While food in your freezer can last a long time, you will still want to get rid of anything that has freezer burn or is damaged in any way. If you have items that have been in your freezer since about the time you purchased it, toss them to free up some room.
Once the inside of your refrigerator and freezer have been emptied, use a soft cloth and a mild soap solution to wipe down all of the surfaces. Avoid any harsh chemicals or anything that can scratch the surface, and do not use hot water, only warm. If you can remove the shelves, do so, but take care not to damage or crack them. Don't forget to wipe down the door shelves, as well as the rubber gasket lining the door. Once all the surfaces are clean, rinse everything with some clean warm water and dry thoroughly.
Turn the temperature control knob inside the refrigerator back to the recommended setting and close the door. While it is cooling back down, clean the outside, again with a mild soap solution and warm water. When you are ready to return food to the unit, take the time to wipe each bottle and container clean.
At Heights at La Salle Apartments in Durham, North Carolina, we believe it’s important to live life vigorously. In order to do so, you must educate yourself regularly with lifestyle-enhancing tips such as these. With this blog post, we seek to improve your way of life through education that promotes self-care.