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© Gail McQueen 2006. Contact Gail for reprint rights. Back The Refrigerator, A Good Start For Spring Cleaning Spring represents nature's awakening, a renewal. It evokes thoughts of warm, sunny days ahead and for a lot of us, plans for spring cleaning. I guess it's all about getting a fresh, clean start or maybe with higher light levels, we just see more dirt. No matter what the reason, this is the time of year we typically clean windows, or the garage, or finally exterminate those dust bunnies, all the while neglecting the most important part of the home, the refrigerator. The fridge is a marvelous appliance. It allows us to keep food fresh and safe much longer. But refrigeration does have its limits. It doesn't kill bacteria. It only slows them down. Spilled and spoiled food can still contaminate fresh food, and food that is left too long in the fridge can still make us sick. Why not get off to a good start this season and clean where it matters most. Here are a few tips for cleaning and organizing your refrigerator that will make your job quick and easy and have you on to better things in no time. Accomplish More With Less The less food in your fridge, the easier your job will be, so plan to clean before any major grocery forays. With that in mind, also survey the contents of your refrigerator and eliminate foods that don't have to be there. You know, the ones past their prime. For some things, the selection process is easy. If its mushy, smelly, moldy or cannot be identified, it's a toss. Check those leftovers. If they are more than 3 days old, they should be thrown out. Gravy shouldn't be kept longer than 2 days and that bacon should be gone after a week. Have any foods with "Best Before" dates? If it's past the date, it best be gone. This is a good time to look at those bottles and jars too. If you still have that salsa that you opened at Christmas, it should be on its way. Even pickles and salad dressings once opened, should not linger more than a couple of months. By getting rid of those not so fresh foods, you may have already saved yourself, or some unsuspecting fridge bandit, a lot of distress. Not bad for just a few moments work, and you haven't even touched a cleaning cloth yet! Speeding The Cleaning To save time, assemble all the equipment and cleaning supplies that you will need first. Your owner's manual may suggest specific cleaners. Otherwise, a mild detergent and baking soda should get you through this just fine. Avoid using abrasives or strong cleaning agents that may taint the taste of your food or damage the interior finish of your refrigerator. Once you are ready, unplug the refrigerator and remove all remaining food. Put the perishables into coolers with cold packs or ice . Remove shelves and drawers and wash them in hot water and mild detergent. While some parts are still soaking, you can continue to clean the interior of the fridge using 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to 4 cups of water. Start at the top and work down and avoid getting excess water on lights, switches and control dials. A tooth brush comes in handy for trouble spots like shelf supports and door seams. For rust stains, try using a baking soda and water paste. Once all the washing is complete, rinse and dry everything thoroughly and replace the shelves and bins. If you haven't done it in awhile, this would be an excellent time to vacuum the fridge coils as well. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently and that will save you money. Consult your owner's manual for instructions specific to your model. Putting It Back Right Once cleaned, plug the fridge in. While it is cooling , take the time to wipe off any sticky or greasy film from jars or bottles . The lids on ketchup and jam can get especially gummy and usually require special attention. If your fridge has specialized compartments for meat, fruit and vegetables, use them. This will ensure optimal freshness. If there is no compartment for storing meat, place it at the bottom of the fridge where it will be cooler and less likely to drip juices on other foods. Since the temperature on the door shelves tends to fluctuate, place milk and eggs on the main fridge shelves. Door shelf space is better left for less perishable items like pop. Safe, Clean And Under Control Now that your fridge is clean you will want it to stay that way for awhile and have less work next time: To keep your fridge smelling fresh, put an open box of baking soda on one of the back shelves. Try to avoid drips and spills. Food should be well wrapped or in containers with secure lids. If that is not possible, put a plate under foods that could possibly drip. This is especially important for raw meat and poultry. When spills do occur, clean them up promptly, before they get a chance to harden, or contaminate other foods. Check the contents of the fridge regularly and throw out any food that is no longer fresh. A good time to do this is just before garbage day. Remember fruit and vegetable matter composts well! If you don't already have a refrigerator thermometer, invest in one. They're quite inexpensive. Maintain a fridge temperature of 4°C ( 40°F) or less. You've accomplished a lot in a short time. Put your feet up and relax or go out and enjoy that fine spring day. The dust bunnies will wait.