In my hurry to prepare for company, I usually completely forget to clean one part of my kitchen – my refrigerator. And inevitably, my company brings something that needs refrigerated or frozen, opens the door to my fridge and bam! I’m busted. My messiness is outed. (The same thing typically happens with my coat closet.)
While I usually focus on cleaning wherever I can see, I forget to clean those areas in my kitchen I don’t see so often – my fridge, freezer, and microwave.
As long as I know that I’m entertaining in advance, I’ve started to try to clean the inside of my refrigerator when I have a couple of spare moments – NOT at the last minute.
Chemical and homemade cleaners
Years ago, I tried using sprays like the Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, it received a C for sodium hypochlorite (it affects human respiratory systems and is toxic to aquatic life) and hydrochloric acid (it also affects respiratory systems).
But all-purpose sprays never seemed to work very well in the cold environment. So I tried liquid castile soap in warm water. Applying it – and scrubbing off spills – with old wash cloths was helpful. And the warm water seemed to help on the chilly glass shelves. But this method resulted in a lot of bubbles left on the surface, and a lot of rinsing, wiping and drying to take the bubbles away.
What I do in my own home
Finally I’ve found a quick, simple, non-messy, odor-free and safe way to clean the inside of my refrigerator and freezer: I use the Norwex EnviroCloth.
(Disclosure: If you’ve been reading my recent cleaning posts, you already know I think Norwex rocks. It’s why I became an Independent Sales Consultant. Incidentally, I receive a commission on Norwex products sold through my website.)
Here’s how I clean my refrigerator now: I remove all the contents from a particular shelf. I wet my EnviroCloth with warm water – so it’s damp, but not dripping wet. I wipe out the shelf with a quick swipe, and return everything to the shelf. When my EnviroCloth is dirty from my fridge crud, I simply rinse it out with warm water and get back to work. No fuss, no muss. My refrigerator looks super clean, yet I haven’t had to go to the inconvenience of getting sprays and paper towels, or mixing up a warm, soapy bucket of water.
I happen to have a stainless steel refrigerator, so if I’m feeling very ambitious and clean my kids’ artwork off the front, I dampen my Norwex Window Cloth with water and quickly polish the stainless steel.
How do you clean your refrigerator without chemicals?
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Gesy says
I suppose using squeezed lemon and mix it with water and then spray…it will help a lot. And make ur fridge smell good.. have a try!
Lisa says
I discovered Norwex this summer and I love it, and not just for cleaning! My hair is thick and always took forever to dry, until I tried the hair turban. Now it’s almost dry when I take the turban off.
Hilary Kimes Bernstein says
Your story sounds so much like mine, Lisa! I also discovered Norwex this summer, and just this fall I started using the hair turban. My hair is thick and curly and typically frizzy … I love how the hair turban dries my hair and also takes away my frizz!
Judi says
I like to use household vinegar and when there are odors, a little baking soda mixed in. Dilute the vinegar with warm water.