Your refrigerator is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home and one that is never at rest. Subject to spills, odors, overcrowding and more, your refrigerator needs routine cleaning every couple of weeks and a deep clean every few months. Additionally, using the space in your fridge correctly is one of the best ways to reduce food spoilage and odors. Here are some tips for cleaning and best utilizing your refrigerator:

Doors

• How to use them: The doors of your refrigerator are ideal for storing condiments, dressing and pickled items. Because this is the warmest part of the fridge, it is most suitable for less perishable items with longer shelf lives.




• How to clean them: Clean refrigerator doors weekly. Dampen a cloth with water and dishwashing liquid and wipe the doors, edges and top of the refrigerator. Be sure to make note of the handles, which can attract fingerprints. Each season, clean door seals with hot water and dishwashing liquid to remove any crumbs and residue. Dry thoroughly to prevent mold.

Shelves and drawers

• How to use them: Shelves are best for meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, and leftover items in containers. Shelves have the most stable temperature in the refrigerator, making them the best location for food that is most perishable. Drawers are best for fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Drawers have the highest humidity in the refrigerator which is helpful in preserving the flavor and texture of produce.




• How to clean them: Remove shelves and drawers from the refrigerator each month and wipe them as well as the interior walls with a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda and one quart of hot water. Wipe mixture from surfaces with a damp cloth, then dry with a clean towel. Be sure that all surfaces are fully dry before returning them to the fridge.

For more refrigerator cleaning and organizing tips, click here.