Did you know that a simple water-vinegar combo is all you need to break down those dried-out food spill in your fridge? Read on for more tips. 

When last have you thoroughly cleaned your fridge and freezer? It’s time to remove all evidence of those hidden spills and drips for healthier food storage.  

For your fridge  

1. Remove all the fresh produce, jars and containers, storing them safely to the side. 
2. Take out any removable drawers or ledges. Wash these separately in the sink with hot soapy water. Rinse them very well and leave upside down to air dry. 
3. Give the inside of the fridge a quick wipe-down with kitchen towel to remove any loose bits. 
4. Mix together a ratio of 3 parts hot water with 1 part vinegar. Using a vinegar solution is safer than a chemical-based cleaner and the acid in the vinegar works well to break down food. 
5. Place solution into a spray bottle or dip a cleaning cloth straight into the solution. 
6. Wipe down the inside of your fridge, getting into the nooks and crannies. This might take some scrubbing, depending on the state of your fridge. 
7. Make sure to regularly rinse your cloth to remove the dirt.  
8. Do a final wipe to remove any lingering dirt, then place all the drawers back. 
9. Take time to wipe down all your jars, bottles and tubs with a cloth to remove any lingering sticky food streaks.

• When restocking your fridge, place the newest jarred goods at the back of the shelf, and those closest to expiring at the front. If it helps, place a sticker with the item’s expiry date on top of the container.
• Meat should always be refrigerated on the bottom shelf of your fridge, away from fresh produce. This way any juices that leak do not contaminate your fruit and vegetables.  

For your freezer  

1. Remove all food from the drawers and place in a safe spot until needed. Place meat and perishables in the fridge. 
2. Leave the door open for 10-15 minutes. This makes it easier to remove the ice and frost to get into all the nooks. 
3. Take out freezer shelves and wash in hot soapy water, rinsing well and setting aside to air dry.
4. Using a sharp-edged rubber or plastic scraper (not steel or metal) remove the ice build-up from the shelves. Add to a bucket and discard down the drain. 
5. Use the same vinegar solution as mentioned for the fridge to wipe down your freezer. Cleaning may take longer due to the cold temperature. 
6. Once thoroughly cleaned, place the drawers back and return frozen goods to the freezer. 

• If you find broken freezer bags, packets or tubs, transfer these to new containers to keep the food safe from freezer burn (this is when the cold pulls out some of the moisture in the food).
• Pack like with like on each shelf and arrange according to use-by date. 

Words by: Sjaan Van Der Ploeg 
Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine, Shutterstock 

Also read: How to spring clean your pantry

The post How to properly spring clean your fridge and freezer appeared first on MyKitchen.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to spring-cleaning your cupboard for a better cooking and baking experience. 

A well-stocked and organised store cupboard is an essential aspect of easy everyday cooking. If staples are within easy reach, you can cook more efficiently. Here’s how to make it happen today: 

1. Unpack everything 

Start by removing everything from your cupboards and setting it out on the counter. Go through each item to check if it has expired. Consider if you still plan to use it, otherwise set it aside to give to a friend or donate to a charity (if it’s unopened). 

2. Clean shelves and surfaces 

Give surfaces a thorough clean. For stubborn grease and grime, use a dish sponge and a mixture of dishwasing liquid and warm water. Make sure you also inspect condiment bottles for any drips, and dust off jars. Consider using shelf liners or newspaper to protect the shelves from future spills or drips to make cleaning easier. 

3. Group items by category 

Group similar items together, such as grains, legumes, flours, tinned goods, baking ingredients, spices and herbs, and condiments. Transparent plastic bins are ideal as you’ll be able to see what’s inside them at a glance. Lazy Susans and rotating kitchen organisers are also worth investing in as they take up very little space and allow you to easily find what you need without having to reach at the back of the cupboard. Decant items that are packaged in paper or cardboard into sealable containers or glass jars to prevent weevils and other unwanted pests from getting into the food. You can go a step further by labelling each item with its expiry date.  

Also read: Clever Cooking Tips To Beat Load-Shedding

4. Label 

If you’re a stickler for uniformity and plan to use the same storage containers for all your ingredients, you’ll need to label the containers if the contents aren’t easily recognisable. Apply labels based on how you would usually access the item – for example, if you plan to store herbs and spices in a drawer, it makes more sense to label the top of the jars so you don’t have to take out each one to check what’s in it.  

5. Organise based on use 

If your cupboards have multiple levels, store the items you know you’ll use most often at eye-level for easy access. Store rarely used ingredients higher up or at the back of the cupboard. If you happen to buy extras of an item (because of a bulk deal, for example), store these items in a separate cupboard and label it ‘backstock’, if necessary. It’s helpful to keep a list of what you have ‘in stock’ at any given time as you’ll likely forget what you have if you don’t see it regularly, and this way you won’t double up.  

6. Check the pantry before meal planning and shopping 

When planning your meals for the coming week, always refer to what’s already in your pantry. This makes sure you use up what you have before buying new ingredients, preventing waste. Remind other members of your family who also do grocery shopping to always check the pantry before heading to the shops and to make a note of anything that has run out or is running low. 

Photography: Unsplash

The post How to spring clean your pantry appeared first on MyKitchen.