8 simple tips to keep your fridge clean and cool

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the build-up of potentially dangerous bacteria and fungi and to eliminate unwanted odours in your fridge. Here are a few simple tips to help keep your fridge clean.

Cleaning your fridge can seem like a hassle, but it's very important in preventing awful smells and keeping your food fresh.

1. A quick wipe once a week will keep your fridge clean, but every six months do a thorough clean-up of all the shelves, drawers and storage pockets.
2. Remove food from shelves and keep in a cool place. On a really hot day, put perishable items into a coolbox or work one shelf at a time, so that most of the food can stay in the fridge.
3. Remove shelves and clean with a disinfecting cleaner to reduce the risk of salmonella and E. coli infection. These thrive on meat or poultry juices. Rinse shelves and dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper.
4. Clean the interior surfaces, including the door storage areas, with the same cleaner. A little white vinegar will quickly cut through any grease.
5. Remove drawers, squirt in some washing-up liquid and soak in the sink in hot water for 10 minutes. Use a brush to remove any stubborn or trapped pieces of dirt. Rinse and dry.

Beyond cleaning the fridge on a regular basis, maintaining the appliance will also help prevent bacteria buildup and make sure your food stays fresh for as long as possible.

1. Check the temperature regularly. For safety it should always be between 2°C and 4°C. If your fridge doesn't have a built-in thermometer, buy a fridge thermometer and store it inside.
2. If the door doesn't close properly, your fridge won't operate efficiently and may not be cool enough. Try shutting a piece of paper in the door — the seal around it should be strong enough to make it difficult to pull the paper out. If the seal doesn't seem good enough, use a mild detergent solution to clean the rubber sealing strip, making sure to clean in all the grooves.
3. Dust and dirt on the condenser coils will also reduce the efficiency. Every six months, pull out the fridge and gently vacuum the back.

Simple, right? Cleaning your fridge doesn't have to be a hassle. Regular upkeep will go a long way to preventing bacteria and bad odours. Keep these handy tips in mind the next time you clean out your fridge.