The Fridge Door Deserves a Proper Clean
Photo source: Flickr
The inside of your fridge probably gets cleaned from time to time. Old vegetables get thrown out, shelves are wiped, and spills are dealt with. The refrigerator door is another matter. It is touched constantly but is surprisingly easy to overlook during routine cleaning.
Start with the handles. Everyone who opens the fridge touches them, often immediately after handling food, shopping bags, or other household items. Grease and grime can build up around the handle, particularly where fingers naturally grip it.
The rubber seal around the door deserves attention too. Open the fridge and look closely at the folds in the gasket. Crumbs, sticky residue, and bits of food can collect in the creases. Over time, this grime can prevent the seal from sitting properly against the refrigerator.
You do not need a specialised cleaning product for a routine clean. A clean cloth and warm, soapy water are generally enough for many surfaces. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to reach the grooves in the rubber seal, then wipe away any remaining moisture.
Be gentle around the seal. Scrubbing aggressively or using harsh chemicals can damage the rubber, which is the last thing you want when you are trying to improve the door’s seal.
While you are there, look at the top edge of the fridge door and the area underneath the handle. These spots are easy to miss because they are not immediately visible. If your fridge has an external water or ice dispenser, give the surrounding area some attention as well.
This is also a good opportunity to notice whether the door is closing properly. If it feels unusually loose, does not shut completely, or springs back open, investigate rather than simply assuming it is normal. A damaged or poorly positioned seal may be worth having checked.
The job should only take a few minutes, but it is one of those small cleaning tasks that can make a frequently used part of the kitchen feel noticeably fresher. Next time you clean the fridge, don’t stop at the shelves. Give the door some attention too.
