You open your fridge to look for a midnight snack when BAM!
You’re smacked in the face with a glorious smell. The kind of smell that causes you to regurgitate a little then shut the door immediately. You’re not quite sure what exactly died in there, but you know something is definitely not OK. As you do a detailed scan, you also notice that sticky spill that’s been there for… how long now?
So, when was the last time you actually did a deep clean of your refrigerator? We suggest cleaning out your fridge at least twice a month to avoid bacteria to spread and a possible E. Coli outbreak in your home (gross!). Your fridge is one of the most used appliances in your entire home so a little extra TLC may have to go its way.
Here are 10 reasons why it’s time to bust out the gloves and give your fridge a scrub down (regularly!):
1. Your Food is Moldy (Ew.)
If your food is getting moldy, that’s a red flag that you haven’t been paying attention to your food (and also haven’t been eating it). The mold in your fridge can spread to other items sitting beside or underneath it, so it’s crucial to keep a clean fridge for you and your family.
To help you determine how long each item in your fridge will last, check out EatByDate.com for more information on food expiration dates and what you can do to help preserve your food longer.
2. You’ll Save a Ton of Money!!
By having a clean fridge, you’ll be able to easily see your weekly intake when taking inventory. This will help you cut back on buying products you don’t need, as well as keep you from buying more than your family consumes.
Here’s a short list of Coupon websites that can help save you money on groceries:
3. There is Little To No Space Left in the Fridge
Not only will it save you money, cleaning out your fridge will help you make extra space. Who are we kidding? We all know you won’t eat last week’s meatloaf (that’s now meatloaf of a different color) and that chicken has been in the freezer for at least 6 months.
To help make more space for food avoid spoiling and possibly causing an outbreak, check out this diagram on organizing your refrigerator by Business Insider:
4. Your Fridge is Your Most Important Appliance
In taking care of your fridge, you’re taking care of your food and your entire household. One pro-tip for all refrigerator owners is to defrost your fridge at least once a year. Defrosting your manual-defrost freezer once a year, or when the frost build up covers a large area and exceeds 1/4-inch, is a great way to keep your machine running well.
Food gone bad can make you ill, but a well-maintained fridge can keep your food from spoiling, contaminating other food, and ultimately, saving you a trip to the doctor’s office.
5. It Will Smell 100x Better
Although sliced lemons, baking soda, and other methods of eliminating bad fridge smells are effective, they are only a temporary solution to actually cleaning out the nasty, pungent, mold thats sitting in the back of your fridge.
If you’re someone who has roommates, don’t be that person who’s responsible for the lingering smell that’s been rotting in the fridge.
6. It Will Lengthen its Lifespan
Taking proper care of the major appliances in your home is something we all tend to ignore until we can’t anymore. Think of it as taking care of your car, you give it regular oil changes and drive responsibly to avoid unnecessary damage to keep your car healthy long term. If your fridge is taken care of properly, it can last you up to 15 years!
7. It Will Prevent Mold From Growing in The Fridge
If mold on your food isn’t horrifying enough, mold can also make it’s way on your fridge shelves as well and cause awful smells that can be hard to find. Contamination of foods can travel fast from your fridge and onto your hands, so making sure that you clean your fridge every few months (or when necessary) can help prevent bacteria from growing and causing illnesses.
We hope you’ve been inspired to (regularly) clean out your fridge! It’ll do you, your kitchen, and your family, a world of good.
For more information and tips for maintaining your home’s fridge, contact New Life Appliance Repair’s expert team by visiting their site or giving them a call at (949) 558-3064!
