Cleaning the refrigerator is one of my least favorite activities. I clean as I go, making the task a little less daunting. However, you cannot avoid a thorough deep cleaning. I quick clean it once a week, checking for expired food, leftovers, and other things that shouldn't be there. However, when I deep clean, I really get down and dirty!
First, put together all your supplies. The list is as follows: a bucket with warm water, baking soda, white vinegar, several rags, scrubber sponge, and an old toothbrush. In the large bucket, add 1 cup of white vinegar.
Now, you'll have to empty all your food items. I prefer to put mine in coolers to prevent them from warming up too much. However, if you don't have enough coolers, you may use a cardboard box covered with several towels.
Remove any shelves, bins, and racks. My refrigerator has glass shelving, making cleaning slightly easier. Set these off to the side.
Take a rag, dip in in the bucket of water, and wring out the excess water. Wipe down all inside walls, use scrubber sponge on any tough spots. Especially tough spots may require full strength white vinegar. To clean the rubber seal, wet seal with water, add a little baking soda, and scrub with toothbrush. Finish by wiping down again with wet rag. Seals collect lots of dirt, so don't be afraid to really scrub with that toothbrush.
Now that the inside is clean, we need to clean the shelves and bins. Wipe down each shelf and bin as you did the inside of the fridge. Dry them with a clean, dry towel before putting them back into the refrigerator. Place all shelves back into their original positions.
As you are placing food items back into the fridge, wipe down all the jars, jugs, and containers. Our sweet tea pitcher is famous for leaving rings on our shelving. Double check for any expired food, and throw out any leftovers that will not be eaten. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out. If you are unsure if an item is safe, it is better to just throw it out.
Some helpful hints on maintaining a clean refrigerator:
Process your groceries before placing them in the fridge. Wash the vegetable and fruits before putting them in the crisper.
Remove meat from store packaging, and place in your own ziploc bags ensuring they won't drip juice everywhere.
Double check lids to ensure they are sealed tightly.
Keep a box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors. Some foods absorb odors and then that food tastes like the odor it absorbed.
Rotate food items to ensure older foods are towards the front. This will cut down on waste with leftovers.
Host a leftover night with the family. Put together a menu of your leftovers, and let each family member "order" their dinner. You don't have to cook, and your fridge gets cleaned out.
Cleaning a freezer follows the same guidelines. By quick cleaning your refrigerator once a week, and discarding items, you will be able to deep clean quicker.