As the New Year arrives, many of us turn our attention to refreshing our homes, with the kitchen being a prime target for a deep clean. According to food experts at Good Food, the refrigerator is often one of the grubbiest appliances we own.
The Simple Solution Hiding in Your Cupboard
You don't need expensive chemical cleaners or to spend hours scrubbing to achieve a sparkling, fresh-smelling fridge. The secret weapon is likely already in your kitchen cupboard: white vinegar.
Cleaning content creator Chantel Mila, known on TikTok as @mama_mila, shared her straightforward method. She advises mixing one cup of water with half a cup of white vinegar and a dash of vanilla extract in a spray bottle.
This simple concoction is designed to clean tough grime from your fridge and make it smell amazing, according to Chantel.
Why This Method Works So Effectively
Isabella Forgione, a small appliances expert at AO, strongly endorses using white vinegar for fridge cleaning. She explained to Good Food that a mix of vinegar and water, wiped onto shelves and drawers, will kill germs and neutralise lingering odours.
"Wipe this solution onto the door seals too, as dirt and crumbs love to get right into the hidden nooks," Isabella added, highlighting a commonly missed spot.
The combination of cool, freezing, and occasionally warm areas inside a fridge creates ideal conditions for various microbes to thrive. This natural cleaning solution tackles this issue without harsh chemicals.
Beyond the Fridge: Other Uses for the Mixture
This versatile cleaning approach isn't limited to your refrigerator. Chantel Mila suggests using a combination of baking soda and white vinegar to keep drains fresh and clear.
When equal parts are poured down the drain, the fizzy reaction helps loosen stubborn grime and buildup, preventing blockages and neutralising bad smells.
For a powerful bathroom cleaner, you can combine one cup of white vinegar, a quarter cup of washing-up liquid, and a few drops of tea tree oil. This mixture is effective against stubborn mould and soap scum.
Simply spray it on, leave it to work, and then wipe it away for a cleaner, fresher bathroom.
