Top cleaning hacks for refrigerator freshness
We fill up our fridges every week with fresh food but how often are you actually cleaning it? A recent report has revealed that 18% of us only clean our fridge twice a year. Lynsey Crombie is here with all her must have products to make you fridge sparkle.
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LET'S START WITH FRIDGE ORGANISATION - WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO STORE YOUR FOOD?:
Stackable fridge containers are a great way of utilising space and separating food groups.
A lazy Susan can help keep on top of things in the fridge. Allowing you to get full vision of the shelf so you don’t end up buying the same thing twice.
Flat pack meat trays keep meat fresh for longer and take up little space. Useful for things like open packets of ham or smoked salmon, which dry out quickly.
TOP TIP: Don’t overcrowd. It is important to leave space between items so air can circulate properly.
HOW SHOULD YOU STORE ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY USED/OPENED?:
Silicone containers are much better for the environment than using cling film for things like half a sliced lemon or avocado - And it will keep them fresh for longer by preventing the food from oxidising.
STORING CANS AND DRINKS
For storing cold drinks: A can dispenser utilisers the length of the fridge without taking up much room.
ORDER FOOD BASED ON THE OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE ZONES:
Top Shelves: Store ready-to-eat items like leftovers or deli meats.
Middle Shelves: Ideal for dairy products like milk, yoghurt and eggs.
Bottom Shelves: Store raw meats, fish and poultry here to prevent any cross-contamination.
Drawers: Keep fruits and vegetables separate. Use one drawer for veggies (lower humidity setting) and another for fruits (higher humidity setting).
The fridge door: Store items that don’t require strict temperature control like condiments, salad dressings and sauces.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR FRIDGE SPARKLING AND ODOURLESS:
Give your fridge a quick wipe over on food shop day, check foods and expiry dates.
For a big clean: Remove all food and add into a cool bag. Remove the shelves and allow them to warm up a bit before putting them into hot water - as this can potentially crack or damage them. Soak in warm soapy water. If you notice they smell, add in a drop of white vinegar.
Make sure they are fully dry before putting them back.
REMOVING DRIED FOOD STAINS:
For tough stains and sticky patches: Cover them with bicarb and use a non-scratch sponge to scrub.
For the door seals that often can have mould spores and food residue, cover a blunt dinner knife with kitchen roll and spritz with white vinegar.
Keep your fridge smelling fresh with either an egg cup full of bicarb or coffee granules. Or use a fridge deodoriser.
WHAT ABOUT CLEANING THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR FRIDGE?:
Use a flat headed mop to get underneath and around the sides of the fridge to save you moving it.
Wipe down the doors and handles using a glass microfiber cloth. If you have a stainless-steel fridge, use a stainless steel cleaner or a vinegar/water solution. After cleaning, buff with a tiny drop of baby oil.
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