The refrigerator is an active place. With food and drink continually coming and going, there are always spills and crumbs needing to be cleaned up. Here are some tips to make this cleaning process quick and easy:

• Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Wash the interior with this solution. Make a baking soda paste to rub off hard-to-clean spills. Rinse and wipe dry.
• If your refrigerator is prone to mildew, wipe the inside with white vinegar.
• Use warm water and dish washing detergent to clean removable shelves and glass parts. Avoid using hot water on plastic parts as the temperature difference can cause cracking.
• Clean the outside of the fridge with a mild soap and water solution, a mild all-purpose cleaner, or a stainless-steel cleaner. Remember to wash down the rubber door gasket.
• Line the vegetable drawer with a layer of paper towels. This will absorb excess moisture common in this drawer and will make cleaning up crumbs a breeze.
• Dust the top of the refrigerator and use an all-purpose-cleaner to remove any dirt or grease. Consider covering the top of the refrigerator with a piece of cloth such as a placemat that can be thrown into the washing machine; this will make cleaning to the top of the refrigerator quick and easy.
• Four times a year vacuum the dust and lint from the condenser coils on the back or bottom of the fridge.
• To keep the fridge smelling fresh use a box of baking soda or dip a cotton ball in lemon extract and place in an open cup on the bottom shelf.
• Avoid putting meat in its original packaging directly on a shelf. Place it on a plate or in a plastic tub to collect the juices that often leak.

Be sure to organize your food upon returning it to the refrigerator. Group related items and designate a part of a shelf for each. Keep condiments, cheeses, drinks, etc. together. Make sure to take advantage of vegetable bins to store fresh produce. These drawers are designed to maintain a low humidity level to keep items fresh. Use the door shelves to store items you use most often and store leftover items toward the front of the fridge so that you don’t forget about them.