7 Simple Rules tо Follow to Keep a Clean Fridge
Quietly working day and night, the refrigerator is the heart of every busy kitchen. Neglect it, and
it soon turns into a jumble of spills, forgotten leftovers, and odd smells.
With a little regular care, you can keep it fresh, organised, and running smoothly.
1) Keep Expiry Dates in Check
Food tends to accumulate fast. You buy things with the best intentions, but some items sit
untouched, slowly creeping past their expiration dates.
Expired food can cause the refrigerator to smell and even damage adjacent items, so it's not
just a space problem.
Get into the habit of doing a quick scan once a week, or at least before your next grocery run. Is
there anything that has reached its expiration date? Throw it away. The principle of FIFO (First
In, First Out) carries significant importance.
Moreover, place new groceries behind older ones to ensure nothing gets lost at the back. A
simple shuffle can save you from future waste and keep your items under control.
It’s better to prevent a fridge disaster than to open it and feel like you’ve walked into a science
experiment.
2) Clean Up Spills Immediately
A few drops of sauce today can turn into a sticky nightmare tomorrow, as liquids seep into
crevices, turning minor spills into stubborn messes.
The longer you wait, the harder it gets to clean. Keep a cloth or paper towel handy so that you
can wipe spills the moment they happen.
Have a multipurpose cleaner nearby, preferably one without harsh chemicals, so it won’t leave
strong odours. Additionally, make sure to inspect the rubber door seals in addition to the
obvious surfaces.
Crumbs and liquid buildup here can lead to bacteria growth, and over time, a faulty seal can
cause energy inefficiency, making your fridge work harder than it should.
3) Use Airtight Containers
Storage matters. Randomly stuffing food into the fridge without proper containers invites mess
and faster spoilage. Clear, airtight containers keep things fresh longer and stop odours from
mingling.
Do you have a strong-smelling dish like fish curry? Seal it up tightly to avoid its aroma taking
over everything else.
Stackable containers also maximise space, keeping everything in sight and easy to grab. Be
strategic and use shallow, wide containers for easy stacking, and label leftovers with dates to
avoid the guessing game.
Think of airtight containers as your refrigerator's protectors, keeping spills unseen and odours
under control.
4) Arrange Shelves with Purpose
A well-organised refrigerator is useful in addition to being visually appealing. Without a system,
chaos takes over.
Keep dairy in one area, raw meat on the bottom shelf (to prevent drips from contaminating other
food), and vegetables in their designated crisper drawer.
If your fridge doesn’t already have sections, use bins or dividers to create them. It keeps you
from buying duplicates and helps you find what you need naturally.
Keep fruits and vegetables apart as well. Some fruits, like apples and bananas, emit ethylene
gas, which accelerates ripening and speeds up the spoilage of surrounding products.
Rather than pushing taller bottles or heavier goods anywhere they fit, change shelves to suit
them.
5) Deep Clean Regularly
Even with the best of habits, your refrigerator requires a thorough cleaning at least once a
month.
Remove everything, and, using a mixture of baking soda and warm water, clean every surface.
There will be no strong chemical scents left behind.
Particularly, pay extra attention to drawers, shelves, and rubber seals. Keep in mind that
moisture and crumbs often hide in these areas, causing mould or bacterial growth.
Remember to include the freezer as well. Periodically wiping down even frost-free models helps
to rid any collecting ice or spillage.
Having said that, cleaning every nook and cranny can be a time-consuming task, and those
elusive dirt pockets have a tendency to go unnoticed. This is when expert cleaning services
become transformative rather than simply a convenience.
Certified technicians gently and precisely address the underlying filth by using specialised
techniques and safe solutions to remove bacteria and neutralise odours.
Letting residue and spills linger is like inviting germs to have a house party. And believe us, they
won’t clean up after themselves.
6) Give Food Some Breathing Room
A fridge packed to the brim may seem efficient, but in reality, it’s a problem. Overcrowding
blocks airflow, which means some areas will not cool properly.
As a result, food can spoil faster in certain spots while other sections freeze unexpectedly. Keep
your fridge at about 70–80% capacity.
This guarantees equal air circulation, thereby maintaining the proper temperature for everything.
Additionally, review your settings; your freezer should be at -18°C and your refrigerator at 4°C.
If items seem too warm or too cold, adjust accordingly. Organising your fridge thoughtfully also
saves you from the hassle of moving ten products just to reach one item at the back. Think of
your fridge as a city: too much traffic, and nothing moves efficiently.
7) Control Odours with Ease
Even the cleanest fridge can develop an odd smell over time.
What about a quick fix? Place an open box of baking soda inside. It absorbs unwanted odours
rather than just masking them. Swap it out every three months to keep it effective.
If baking soda isn’t your thing, activated charcoal or coffee grounds work just as well.
Furthermore, be proactive about smells. Make it a practice to look for any forgotten leftovers,
clean up spills right away, and keep strong-smelling foods in sealed containers.
Another commonly overlooked culprit? The drip tray beneath the fridge. If your refrigerator has
one, empty and clean it occasionally to prevent stale water from creating a musty smell.
If your appliance ever starts to smell like something died in there, don’t just mask it and hunt
down the offender.
Conclusion
A spotless fridge makes every meal feel a little easier to prepare. When everything is tidy, fresh,
and within reach, cooking becomes less of a task and more of a pleasure.
Keep up these simple habits, and your kitchen will always be attractive and welcoming.
