The fridge is without a doubt one of the most used appliances in the home. We couldnt live without it. It keeps our milk fresh and butter firm. However, the fridge requires regular and thorough cleaning because it can also harbour a lot of bacteria. So how do you go about it? First, let’s see what you will need.

• A pair of gloves- this is optional, some of us just dont like gloves!

• 1/4 cup baking soda- baking soda will help rid of any lingering smells in the fridge.
• 1/2 cup vinegar-it’s not just for chips, it is a fantastic cleaning aid, in fact it’s cleaning power is underestimated.
• some warm water

If you dont have the above, you can simply substitute with store-bought anti bacterial cleaner or disinfectant. Even washing up liquid does a good job. Now you are ready to get going. Step 1. Empty the fridge, cleaning round food will not achieve a good result. So remove all food, you may be surprised what you will find. You could easily fill the bin with the foods you will need to throw away.  Old jars of condiments we hardly use. Mango chutney anyone? Step 2. Now the food is out, remove the racks and any removable parts and wash them in the warm water solution with vinegar and baking soda Step 3. Whilst the racks are drying on the sink, you can start working on the fridge. Use a sponge or a soft cloth to get into all the corners.  Remember the egg compartments as well as cleaning the rubber seals. These are often forgotten. Step 4. You can follow up with dry cloth to buff up and shine. You dont want to leave your fridge with streaks and smears. It wont look clean. Step 5. Once the fridge is gleaming clean, it’s time to put back the racks. Now that you have take the time to clean the fridge, it is now time to sort the remaining foods.  However, you must follow some tips on how to store food safely in the fridge to reduce the risk of contamination.

1. Make sure the fridge temperature is 5 degrees or less
2. Dont put any open cans in the fridge, tuna cans are the culprit for most people. Ensure that cans are always emptied into air tight plastic containers
3. Uncooked meats should always be stored at the bottom of the fridge to remove the risk of them dripping onto your cheese or veggies as this can pause a contamination risk.

To keep your fridge clean you will need to do some maintenance cleans in between the big cleans and you can easily do this by just wiping round with a damp cloth. Whilst getting your milk, also check for foods that are out of date or may be going sour and throw away. This will help you stay on top of things and keep your fridge hygienic.