It is important that kitchen work surfaces or anywhere food is being prepared is kept clean and free from germs. The refrigerator is one place where bacteria and invisible bugs can breed so regular cleaning is essential.
Hidden bugs and their dangers
An article in the Daily Mail explains the dangers of food poisoning, showing that an estimated 8.3 million people each year suffer from this preventable illness. One of the main causes is people overloading their fridges and also placing raw meat on the top shelves allowing blood or other juices to drip onto cooked meats or other foodstuffs. It is also important that the temperature of your refrigerator is cold enough to prevent germs from breeding. The optimal setting is between 1 and 4 degrees centigrade, which will keep food fresh and keep bugs at bay.
Choosing the right cleaner
Many people don’t want to use strong sprays or chemicals while cleaning their fridge because of the strong smells given off, but sometimes it’s the only way to remove dirt and stains. It is always a good idea to wear protective gloves from Brosch Direct when handling strong cleaners. There are other methods to help you clean and they have been used for decades: one is a mixture of baking soda and hot water, or cider vinegar and hot water. These won’t leave behind any smells unlike conventional normal kitchen cleaners, which can taint the food.
Keeping your fridge smelling fresh
Once you have finished cleaning your refrigerator you will want to keep it smelling fresh. There are a few ways to achieve this and they are all simple and effective. One of the easiest odour absorbers is freshly ground coffee placed in a small dish. Another way is to buy activated charcoal from a pet shop and place it in a cloth; this will absorb odours for up to three months. An article in The Telegraph explains how to use an open pack of baking soda; all of these ingredients will remove any unwanted smells and won’t cost you a fortune.
What to do with raw vegetables in your fridge
Many people put vegetables and salad stuffs straight into their refrigerators when they get home from the shop, but these can still cause food poisoning and cross contamination. Before putting away these items it is always a good idea to wash and dry them first. Once you have done this you should make sure the cooling drawer at the bottom of your fridge is clean. You can then place some brown paper in the base; this will absorb any moisture produced and reduce the risk of bacteria forming.