EXTENSION NEWS

Start the Year with a

Clean Fridge!

As I have been baking for the holiday season, I have been looking at my refrigerator and noticing I really need to clean it out. Not so much leftovers, but the bottles of things I have had sitting in there for??? Also the drawers and shelves are looking a little frightening to think what might be lurking in the cracks and crevices.

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, but will they happen? Here’s one you can do! Clean your fridge! And it’s a great way to inventory the contents.

1. Remove the food and keep it in an ice chest or another refrigerator.

2. Unplug the fridge. Clean underneath and behind the appliance to remove dust.

3. Remove drawers and shelves. Let glass shelves adjust to room temperature so they don’t crack. Wash with hot, soapy water. Use a toothbrush to get into tight spaces.

4. Wipe down the interior walls of the fridge and door shelves.

5. Dry all surfaces with a clean towel or paper towels.

6. Sanitize with a solution of 1 tablespoon liquid bleach in 1 gallon of water.

7. Plug the fridge back in and put shelves and drawers in their spots.

8. Restock the fridge and clean any containers and bottles. Toss anything past its prime and make a shopping list. Between cleanings, wipe up spills as they happen to keep the fridge as clean as possible.

So make a New Year’s resolution you can keep and start the new year with a clean refrigerator. The Phillips-Rooks District Extension Staff wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Sources: www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/clean-refrigerator-steps.htmland www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room cleaning-refrigerator

“Knowledge for Life” provided by Phillips-Rooks Extension District #5 and K-State Research and Extension.