Wiping your fridge can keep it looking neat and shiny. However, if you happen to catch the disgusting taste of other foods in a leftover piece of pie, it’s time to clean the whole refrigerator thoroughly! 

Here are seven tips for a complete refrigerator cleaning routine.

Tip #1. Remember to empty the fridge!

If you want to clean your refrigerator effectively, you can’t leave your food inside, or it will obstruct your view. Empty the fridge and keep your items fresh inside a cooler. Also, check for removable trays, drawers, and bins and wash them in the sink with dish soap and water.

Tip #2. Use vinegar to wipe the inside

While searching for a good cleaning agent, some people might ignore natural alternatives like white vinegar. This household product works well against residue and even odors inside your fridge. Besides, since vinegar is used for cooking, you can trust it’s 100% non-toxic.

To make this DIY cleaner, mix one cup of vinegar and one cup of warm water. You can also pour the solution inside a spray bottle for future use!

Tip #3. Scrub tough stains with baking soda

Sometimes, residue on the fridge’s surface won’t go away so easily. This problem calls for baking soda and good old elbow grease. Turn this powder into a paste by adding enough water, then apply directly to the stains, scrub, rinse, and dry with a microfiber cloth.

Pro tip: If you have a soft toothbrush ready for the trash bin, don’t throw it away; you can use it for detail scrubbing instead.

Tip #4. Clean the outside with soapy water

You’ll touch the refrigerator a lot, whether you’re rushing to fix a quick breakfast or looking for a midnight snack. For this reason, it’s crucial to wipe the outside surfaces to remove fingerprints and greasy buildup.

It’s pretty straightforward: add just a dash of dish soap to a quart of water, dampen a microfiber cloth, and you’re ready to go.

Tip #5. Don’t skip the handles!

Pay close attention to the door handles in your refrigerator; chances are that your dead skin cells have built up enough to become nasty grime. Never overlook these details for a complete fridge cleaning.

Tip #6. Dry with a separate towel

If your fridge shines but also highlights streaks, make sure you grab a second cloth and dry the outer surface after scrubbing. Paper towels could work, but your best choice to avoid streaks is a quality microfiber cloth.

Note: If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, follow the grain every time you wipe it. You’ll find the direction of the grain by looking closely.

Tip #7. Deodorize your fridge

Your stored food benefits a lot from an odorless fridge. You could leave a bowl with vinegar inside your fridge to neutralize the odor-causing particles. However, if you can’t stand the vinegar smell, open the side of a box of baking soda and place it inside the fridge.

How about letting us clean your refrigerator instead?

Sometimes you won’t have the time to do all the cleaning yourself. Illinois Valley Clean Team has an extensive checklist covering most homeowners’ cleaning needs. For example, did you know you can make special requests like fridge cleaning?

Book today, and we’ll take care of your cleaning!

Kids are energetic and playful. Most of the time, that carefree mindset clashes with order and cleanliness, so chances are you’ve run into their messy bedrooms and dirty laundry across the floor. 

If you want your children to learn the value of taking care of personal spaces, we’ll tell you  # tips on how to teach a child to clean their room.

Tip #1: Set your priorities straight

For some people, having kids cleaning can be concerning because it might look like they’re working. But it’s more about letting them in on the whole group of activities, which make a better home. You’ll teach a lesson in responsibility, not assigning work.

Having your children do these chores will show them how to be responsible for their belongings. Also, by developing the habit of cleaning, they will enjoy their free time even more after having these small achievements.

Tip #2: Plan accordingly to your children’s age

If you plan well a cleaning schedule for your kids, you’ll have a daily routine that will ensure proper learning in a way it won’t bore them. Of course, make it accordingly with age-appropriate chores. You’re not managing a workforce.

You can give easier tasks to smaller kids, like clearing up clutter from their toys, while older children can dust hard to reach places and make their beds.

If you wonder how old your kids should be before planning all of this, it’s better until the age of 4, so these lessons go hand in hand with their education. 

Tip #3: Understand your children’s denial

Some kids want all play and no work, so they won’t take requests very well, resulting in the classic temper tantrum. 

If this happens, here are three ways to help your kid to comply:

• Remove a benefit: Take away playtime or electronics until the task is done.
• Give them two choices: Instead of giving orders, let your child pick one of two activities.
• Reward them for their effort: You can also give them extra playtime or a small but significant gift for doing the chore.    

You must remember to be patient. If your kids see that you’re willing to meet them halfway, it will improve their behavior and ensure future success in different aspects of their life. 

Tip #4: Break chores into smaller tasks

When making your children clean, you must be very specific about the tasks at hand. If you tell them where the laundry goes or which trash bin do food wrappers belong to, it’ll reinforce your kid’s understanding of the things that add up to a clean room. Don’t be afraid to help them at first.

In time, to tell them to “clean the room” is enough for them to do all the related tasks.

Tip #5: Take a supporting role 

Once your children get the hang of cleaning their room, step aside but keep encouraging them. If they see you paying them attention and cheering them on, they’ll make an effort to keep their beds neat and floors cleared. Be always supportive.

Bonus tip: Not all time should be clean-up time

At the end of the day, what matters most is to have quality time together as a family. If you need to rest from all the dusting and mopping, hiring a cleaning service is a great choice and Illinois Valley Clean Team is a safe bet.

Click here to get a free quote and enjoy more free time with your loved ones.