HOW do you know it's time to clean the fridge?
When your mother-in-law comes to visit and you fall over yourself to stop her getting the milk out while you make coffee.
Not only is a messy fridge potentially embarrassing, it makes putting the groceries away difficult, wastes money as good food rots away at the back of the shelves and can lead to some food poisoning.
Here are six quick tips to ensure your fridge is in tip-top shape inside and out.
1. Set a date to clean it out on the first weekend of each season. Turn off the power and empty all the contents, throwing out anything that's too old.
2. Remove all the shelves and drawers then wipe down the inside of the fridge using two tablespoons of bicarbonate soda dissolved in one litre of warm water. Soften up hard, crusty stains and spills by laying a warm damp cloth or paper towel on top. Use an old toothbrush to clean those tricky crevices in the seals and corners.
3. Wash the shelves and drawers with warm water and bicarbonate soda.
4. Wipe down any containers, jars and bottles before replacing them in the fridge.
5. Clean the outside of the fridge using the same bicarbonate soda and water mixture for an enamelled surface, or a few drops of baby oil on a soft cloth for stainless steel.
6. Vacuum dust from fridge coils to ensure the fridge operates at maximum efficiency.
