02/03/2025
A refrigerator can be deep cleaned in 20 minutes. Do you only have 10? Here's the basic minimum you can do until you can get to this chore:
Toss Out Past-Prime Items: Do a quick inventory of your refrigerated food. Check labels for expiration dates, and throw out anything past its prime. The USDA recommends tossing leftovers after three or four days.
Wipe Up Spills: Remove the food items around that spilled soy sauce or ketchup, and wipe up the spills with a cloth dampened with hot water and an all-purpose spray. When you have time, it's best to remove all the items, wipe down the entire interior (and remove and wash the drawers in the sink with hot, soapy water).
Clean the Exterior: For enameled steel, wipe the front of the fridge with a cloth and the same multipurpose spray. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with distilled white vinegar or a stainless steel cleaner if your fridge is stainless steel.